Warren Sapp sure knows a thing or two about tackling. And he is now tackling a different kind of opponent: injustice. Last February, Colorado’s GA Sapp got on the wrong foot with the law in Florida. But it was for standing up and using his voice for a fellow black person who was being unfairly handled by the police officers. Still, he was arrested at that Okeechobee speeding incident with no fault of his. But as justice always comes to light, the event resurfaced earlier this week. And it is here that Sapp retaliated against the unlawful treatment by filing a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the local Florida police. 

A wrongful arrest by people who consider themselves the protectors of the citizens isn’t something that Warren Sapp was letting go of easily. He filed a $20 million lawsuit against the Okeechobee Sheriff’s Department. On January 29, seensatansports revealed the details behind the lawsuit: “The chief’s lack of accountability lead Warren to file a $20 million lawsuit against the Sheriff’s department. 5.7 for future medical expenses, five for loss of wages, and nine for aggregate damages.” Here’s the numbers in detail—Estimated future medical expenses ($5,750,000), Loss of Wages ($5,000,000), and aggregate damages ($9,000,000).

Here’s what happened one year ago. Warren Sapp was just minding his business in the Sunshine State when he witnessed officers pulling up a guy for speeding. The Gold Jacket former NFL star saw a discrepancy in the handling and went over to point out the wrong. But he was only told that he was “obstructing” their work. When he reiterated that freedom of speech is a constitutional law, hell broke loose. 

A cop fished out handcuffs and said that he was “detained.” Although the state attorney dropped the charges a few days later, the damage was done, and the unlawful actions were brought to light. Even they stated that the officers were “not legal” in their handling of the situation. In the aftermath of the incident, Warren Sapp opened up about what the whole situation taught him. 

Warren Sapp is a new person 

How long will a person’s dark reputation stick with him? The truth is it never really leaves you, but you can overwrite that phase with two rights for one wrong. Warren Sapp is no stranger to finding himself in trouble with the law, but ever since joining Deion Sanders’ staff in Boulder, we gotta give him an A for his effort to try to be the best version of himself.

Warren Sapp’s perception of the whole incident only showed him striving for the greater good. He recalled, “I only wanted an apology. I’ve been waking up every night at 3 (AM), and my mom’s lying there looking at me like I’m crazy. It just keeps reoccurring. Whatever I win, I’m going to give a good portion to victims, advocates, or people who have been put into this position.”

This incident, however, shed light on a bigger national issue, i.e., racism. In his appearance on Thee Pregame Show podcast with Uncle Neely, Warren Sapp said, “I know my rights. It’s that shut your mouth, boy. I got a badge and a gun. Huh? First and foremost, you’re supposed to protect and serve me, we the people.” He added with the cops’ perspective, “This is a black man in Okeechobee. He can’t know what he’s talking about.”

Even Uncle Neely couldn’t escape from this harsh reality check. He agreed, “It’s that ‘Shut up and dribble’ mentality.” Surprised much? We’ll see what goes down with Warren Sapp’s lawsuit. But whatever happens, may justice triumph.