Warren Sapp has lived a life most athletes can only dream of—a Buccaneers Super Bowl champion, NFL DPOY, Hall of Famer, and an all-time great in the trenches. He racked up nearly $58 million during his dominant 13-year career in the NFL, but life after football hasn’t always been smooth sailing. In 2012, Sapp made headlines for all the wrong reasons when he filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in South Florida, drowning in $6.7 million in debt. Even after liquidating his assets—including 240 pairs of Jordans, a lion-skin rug, and a $2,250 watch—he still owed $300K. And then, as if life hadn’t thrown enough haymakers, he was arrested this past January in Okeechobee, Florida. The big man who once owned offensive linemen was suddenly in survival mode himself.

But if there’s one thing about Warren Sapp, it’s that he knows how to fight. And that’s a lesson he learned from his mother. In a clip from his show Wednesday’s With Warren, posted by Thee Pregame Network, he spoke about his upbringing in a way that was both raw and hilarious. “This is a time that’s a spring break, but are you doing something during your spring break to make you better?” he asked. Then, with that signature Sapp delivery, he dropped a truth bomb: “I never had a spring break. I mean, maybe two days, but no. Ain’t no way I would ever get away from this thing for five days. No, no, no.” He wasn’t exaggerating—there was no time for vacations when Mama Sapp was out there grinding just to keep the lights on.

Talking with Uncle Neely about the sacrifices his mother made, working jobs most people wouldn’t want just to put food on the table. “Mama worked a lot of ugly jobs to put food and clothes on our back, to help keep the heat and the lights on,” he said, his voice carrying the weight of those words. It was a glimpse into the reality of a young Sapp, a kid who never knew luxury but knew struggle like an old friend. And yet, through all that, his mother found joy in the little things.

Neely remembered one of Mama Sapp’s quotes: “You brought Mama up, and you know one of my favorite Mama Sapp quotes is when you got her that first car, and she said she ain’t never had a car that nobody else farted in. I love that”. When Sapp finally made it big and got her a brand-new car, she had the funniest reaction, cracking up. “Every car I bring her, she got the plastic seats on it. It’s covered with plastic seats. She will be the first one to do it on that leather, buddy.” It’s the kind of moment that defines a person—proof that even after all the struggles, gratitude and humor can still shine through.

Life hasn’t always been easy for Sapp, and the years after his playing career ended were some of his darkest. The bankruptcy was a financial rock bottom, but it wasn’t just about the money. He was drowning in legal troubles, child support debts, and alimony payments, all while trying to navigate life without football. And for over a decade, it seemed like he was just trying to keep his head above water. In April of last year, Coach Prime brought Sapp onto his Colorado Buffaloes coaching staff, initially as a quality control analyst.

It wasn’t just a job—it was a lifeline. The same relentless energy Sapp played with on the field translated to coaching, and Sanders took notice, eventually promoting him to the pass-rush coordinator. Now earning $150,000 under Deion Sanders, Sapp is not just rebuilding his career but also rediscovering the game that once made him one of football’s most dominant forces.

Through it all, Sapp has learned that success isn’t just about chasing the next big thing—it’s about navigating the small obstacles along the way. As he put it, “It’s the little things. That’s what I’ve always learned in life. It’s not the mountain in front of you that you have to navigate. It’s the little pebble in your shoe that’s going to drive you crazy.”

Warren Sapp and Domata Peko Are Cooking Up Something Special for Colorado’s Defense

The Buffaloes are turning to NFL firepower to get their defense on track, and it’s safe to say Warren Sapp and Domata Peko are up for the challenge. The two former defensive tackles have been working behind the scenes to craft a game plan that will push the Buffs forward in 2025.

In response to an X post from an independent CU Buffs creator that highlighted their involvement, Sapp made it clear: “We working daily!!”

And the coaching reinforcements don’t stop there. This offseason, Deion Sanders added Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk to the staff, bringing even more NFL credibility to the program. Sapp didn’t hesitate to endorse the move, appearing in a Colorado football video where he hyped up Faulk’s football IQ:

“He was in the backfield with Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner, telling them about protection. So trust me, he knows this game.” With Sapp and Peko instilling NFL-level intensity and Faulk adding his offensive expertise, Colorado is building something serious.