Playing with brute force got Warren Sapp well recognized. Even his opponents feared his raw power. So he made his career as a very outstanding player with that unmatched force in the field.
One thing went unrecognized until 2017 – the impact of the hits he got in return. In his account at The Player’s Tribune, the Hall of Famer wrote he’d started experiencing memory issues. He attributed his health concerns to the bangs he made back in the day.
What are some of these brain issues that Sapp has faced years after leaving the game?
Warren Sapp On the Dolphins Legend Nick Buoniconti
In his 2017 interview, Warren Sapp disclosed his rising health concerns. To give us a clearer picture of his current brain issues, Sapp cited the struggles of a legendary football player, Nick Buoniconti.
Apparently, the Hall of Famer, Nick Buoniconti, was facing serious brain issues that significantly affected his personal life. Buoniconti, back in his day, was known to be a brutal hitter. Years after retiring, he admitted suffering from CTE from the hits he took during his playing career.
Nick had severe symptoms, which led him to pass away later in 2019. He had frequent falls and couldn’t manage simple tasks like putting on a T-shirt. It got worse to a point where he couldn’t remember how to tie a tie.
Clearly, CTE had caused massive damage to the body and the brain of the legendary player. Sapp was also worried because he’d started experiencing some of these issues.
Sapp Living With the Effects of CTE
Like the legendary Nick Buoniconti, Warren Sapp boldly said he also started feeling the effects of the hits he took during his career. As you may all know, Sapp used to be feared during his career.
During his football career, Sapp was a fierce force on the defensive line. Other players feared his raw power, vicious tackles, and explosive speed. His unmatched aggression when dismantling defensive lines and terrorizing quarterbacks gave him induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
Unfortunately, the brute force Sapp used to build his impressive career around brought him problems later in life. In the interview, Sapp said his memory wasn’t as good as it used to be back in the day.
“I’ve also started to feel the effects of the hits that I took in my career. My memory ain’t what it used to be. And yeah, it’s scary to think that my brain could be deteriorating, and that maybe things like forgetting a grocery list, or how to get to a friend’s house I’ve been to a thousand times are just the tip of the iceberg.”
Brain damage is the most notable issue that Warren Sapp indicated in his 2017 interview. After many years of having a career where he made quick decisions, the legendary quarterback’s memory was wearing off!
Imagine forgetting what took you to the market. That’s one thing Sapp was struggling with. He said he struggled to remember a simple grocery list.
Also Read: All About Warren Sapp’s 6 Kids: What Do They Do For a Living?
In his video on The Players’ Tribune, Warren Sapp said, “There’s no way any of us wanna really admit that we can’t remember how to get home, or a grocery list that the wife has given us… It’s from the banging we did as football players.”
To keep his memory afloat, Sapp said he had to use external help. “The reminders in the phones, it really helped me get through my day with appointments and different things that I have to do, because it’s just, I can’t remember any more like I used to,” he added.
Warren Sapp’s Mission to Make Football Safer
Despite his struggles, Sapp said he’s on a mission to make football safer. By speaking out, Sapp hoped to change how things are handled in football and, essentially, protect future players from suffering the long-term devastating effects of the hits on the field.
In the midst of these struggles, Sapp wanted to spread awareness. Even Sapp went all in to help improve the sport after he pledged that he would donate his brain to the Concussion Legacy Foundation after his death.
Sapp’s willingness to share his long-term problems increased player safety in the NFL. It was because of players like him coming forward that the NFL faced increased scrutiny and introduced:
- Immediate removal of players experiencing concussions
- Independent oversight from an unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant to communicate with sideline medical staff and monitor broadcasts to effectively trace cases of concussions
- Five-step return protocol, where removed players must complete rest, light aerobic exercises, and medical clearance to resume playing
Also Read: How Warren Sapp Changed Football
