Report: Raiders' Warren Sapp Tells Teammates He's Retiring

Posted Jan 1st 2008 7:13PM by Michael David Smith
Filed under: Buccaneers, Raiders, Oakland, Tampa Bay

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp told his teammates at a team meeting on Friday that he plans to retire.

That represents the end of the career for a player who was once among the league's elite defensive players.

Sapp was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first-round draft pick in 1995, after an All-American career at the University of Miami. He was a big part of the Buccaneers' defensive revitalization under head coach Tony Dungy, whose style of defense was perfect for the speedy Sapp.

Sapp was named defensive player of the year in 1999, and at his best he was the best pass-rushing defensive tackle in the NFL. However, he was less effective in his last few years in Tampa Bay and has been mediocre at best in his four years in Oakland.

Sapp finishes his career with 96.5 sacks and seven Pro Bowls.

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