History of Warren Sapp in Timeline

Warren Sapp is a former NFL defensive tackle, primarily known for his impactful career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A standout college player at the University of Miami, he won multiple awards before being drafted into the NFL in 1995. Sapp played nine seasons with the Buccaneers and four with the Oakland Raiders. Currently, he serves as a graduate assistant for the Colorado Buffaloes.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

December 19, 1972: Warren Sapp's Birth

On December 19, 1972, Warren Carlos Sapp was born. He later became a professional football defensive tackle.

Others born on this day/year

1994: College Awards

In 1994, Warren Sapp won the Lombardi Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, and Bill Willis Trophy while playing college football for the Miami Hurricanes.

1995: NFL Draft

In 1995, Warren Sapp was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the NFL draft.

1996: Second NFL Season

In 1996, Warren Sapp recorded 51 tackles and nine sacks for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

1997: First Pro Bowl Selection

In 1997, Warren Sapp had 58 tackles and 10.5 sacks, earning his first Pro Bowl selection.

January 1998: Marriage to Jamiko Vaughn

In January 1998, Warren Sapp married Jamiko Vaughn.

1998: Contract Extension

In 1998, Warren Sapp signed a contract extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for $36 million over six years.

1999: Defensive Player of the Year

In 1999, Warren Sapp was honored as the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

2000: Birth of Son

In 2000, Warren Sapp's son, Warren Sapp II, was born.

November 24, 2002: Controversial Hit on Chad Clifton

On November 24, 2002, Warren Sapp was criticized for a blindside hit on Chad Clifton during a game against the Green Bay Packers, resulting in a severe injury to Clifton.

December 23, 2002: Pregame Altercation with Steelers

On December 23, 2002, Warren Sapp was involved in a heated argument with the Pittsburgh Steelers during pregame warmups after he skipped among them. Jerome Bettis shoved him, sparking the altercation. The Buccaneers had been earlier ridiculed by Steelers' Lee Flowers as being "paper champions".

2002: Super Bowl XXXVII Win

In 2002, Warren Sapp and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won Super Bowl XXXVII against the Oakland Raiders. Sapp recorded five tackles and two sacks during the postseason.

October 12, 2003: Fine for Bumping Referee

On October 12, 2003, Warren Sapp was fined $50,000 for bumping into an NFL referee while running onto the field before a game against the Washington Redskins. He responded by calling it a "slave system".

2003: Super Bowl Win Over Raiders

In early 2003, Warren Sapp had helped rout the Oakland Raiders in the Super Bowl XXXVII.

2004: Joins the Oakland Raiders

In 2004, Warren Sapp agreed to terms with the Oakland Raiders on a seven-year, $36.6 million contract.

2004: First Season with the Raiders

In 2004, Warren Sapp started all 16 games in his first season with the Oakland Raiders, recording 30 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

2005: Shoulder Injury Sidelines Sapp

In 2005, Warren Sapp started the first 10 games before being sidelined for the last six games of 2005 with a shoulder injury. He finished second on the team with five sacks.

2005: NFL Rule Change

In 2005, the NFL Competition Committee introduced new guidelines for 'unnecessary roughness' to outlaw hits such as the one Warren Sapp made on Chad Clifton in 2002.

2006: IRS Debt from Income

In 2006, Warren Sapp owed the Internal Revenue Service $853,003 from income.

2006: All-Pro Form

In 2006, Warren Sapp returned to his All-Pro form with the Oakland Raiders, recording 10 sacks and 32 tackles.

2006: Urban Solutions Group Creation

In 2006, Warren Sapp, Devin Bush, and a developer created the Urban Solutions Group to build low-income housing in Fort Pierce, Florida.

December 23, 2007: Ejection From Game

On December 23, 2007, Warren Sapp was ejected from a Raiders game after an altercation with officials, resulting in a $75,000 fine.

2007: Divorce from Jamiko Vaughn

In 2007, Warren Sapp and Jamiko Vaughn divorced.

2007: 37 tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles

In 2007, Warren Sapp recorded 37 tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles.

2007: All-Century Team Selection

In 2007, Warren Sapp was named to the Florida High School Association All-Century Team.

January 3, 2008: Retirement Announcement

On January 3, 2008, Warren Sapp informed Raider owner Al Davis of his retirement and confirmed it on his website, qbkilla.com.

March 4, 2008: Retirement Becomes Official

On March 4, 2008, Warren Sapp's retirement from the NFL became official.

August 19, 2008: Hired by Showtime

On August 19, 2008, Warren Sapp was hired as a studio analyst for Inside the NFL on Showtime.

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2008: Real-Estate Project Failure

By 2008, the Urban Solutions Group project ended in failure due to the tanking real-estate market.

2008: Dancing with the Stars Runner-Up

In 2008, Warren Sapp was a contestant on the seventh season of Dancing with the Stars, finishing as the runner-up.

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March 16, 2009: Stand-up Comedy Debut

On March 16, 2009, Warren Sapp made his stand-up comedy debut at the Comedy Central Roast of Larry the Cable Guy.

February 7, 2010: Arrest for Domestic Battery

On February 7, 2010, Warren Sapp was arrested in South Florida and charged with domestic battery, leading the NFL Network to cancel his appearance.

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2010: PNC Bank Awarded Judgement

In 2010, PNC Bank was awarded a judgment of $988,691.99 against Warren Sapp. He also owed the Internal Revenue Service $89,775 for income in 2010.

December 2011: Lien Filed Against NFL Network Paycheck

In December 2011, PNC Bank filed a monthly lien of $33,333 against Warren Sapp's $45,000 NFL Network paycheck.

2011: Leaves Showtime

In 2011, Warren Sapp left Showtime's Inside the NFL.

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April 7, 2012: Bankruptcy Filing

On April 7, 2012, the Associated Press reported that Warren Sapp filed for bankruptcy to discharge debt from failed businesses, claiming loss of his University of Miami championship rings and Buccaneers Super Bowl ring.

June 2012: Partnership with Network of Champions

In June 2012, Warren Sapp partnered with the Network of Champions (NOC) to produce a TV show series called Judge Sapp. He also participated in Fox's dating game show, The Choice.

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November 1, 2012: House Auctioned Off

On November 1, 2012, Warren Sapp's 10,000-square-foot house in Windermere was auctioned off for $2.9 million.

2012: Sapp Attack Book Release

In the summer of 2012, Warren Sapp released his book, Sapp Attack, through St. Martins Publishing.

January 2013: Sleep Apnea Awareness

In January 2013, Warren Sapp collaborated with Dr. Jonathan Greenburg to raise awareness about the importance of testing and treatment for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

2013: Hall of Fame Induction

In 2013, Warren Sapp was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

February 2, 2015: Arrest and Contract Termination

On February 2, 2015, Warren Sapp was arrested on suspicion of soliciting a prostitute and assault, resulting in the termination of his NFL Network contract.

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