Today Could Be Warren Sapp’s Day
February 2nd, 2013
OK folks, this could be the day of days for former Bucs great Warren Sapp.
It is today that the Cusitodian of Canton, eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune, presents Sapp, in his first year of eligibility, to be voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Sapp, one of 15 finalists, must beat out at least10 other finalists in order to have his bust cemented into the great of greats.
The electors cannot elect more than five “current day” candidates, which include coaches and contributors, who are eligible. Joe actually likes this. This ensures the Pro Football Hall of Fame is the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of the Pretty Good or the Hall of the Most Popular, which in some ways baseball has turned into.
(For example, Joe once got into a row on Twitter with a Hall of Fame elector who thought it was a crime against humanity that Don Coryell was not in the Hall of Fame. He never won a championship game for crying out loud!!! What next, Jerry Glanville for the Hall of Fame? Shoot, Joe loved George Allen but didn’t think he was worthy of the Hall of Fame. Same with Marv Levy.)
Joe is pleased that players who pass muster must endure a difficult path to be among the game’s elite. So, let’s say Sapp is not elected today/tonight. For a fan to grumble fairly, one must also state who shouldn’t have been elected if Sapp was robbed. Again, the cap on inductees per season is five. Joe applauds this restriction.
This week, while in New Orleans, by chance Joe got to sit and BS with a very, very, very NFL heavy hitter for about 45 minutes who is deeply involved with the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Joe won’t mention his name because the conversation was not for publication, but Joe was told by said person that two years ago when Kaufman was chosen as the presenter for Ed Sabol to be elected as a contributor — the ultimate of difficult elections — Kaufman absolutely nailed his presentation of Sabol out of the park and moved many in the room. Joe was told that if not for Kaufman, it is likely Sabol would still be on the outside looking in. That’s impressive.
So, based on that information, Sapp’s fate is in good hands.
Joe knows for a fact Kaufman has taken this task, his first presentation of a Bucs player since he became a Hall of Fame elector representing the Tampa Bay franchise, very, very seriously. Joe saw with his own eyes how Kaufman spoke to other voters seeking input into how to form a winning presentation, voters from Peter King down to those who represented visiting teams at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway.
The election process is rigorous, last year taking over seven hours. So we shall all know by late this afternoon, or very early this evening, if Sapp will have his bronze bust in Canton this summer, or if he will have to wait a while for that honor.
Remember, Sapp has to beat out (at least) 10 other finalists. It won’t be easy.
February 2nd, 2013 at 9:38 am
Would bet your mortgage payment that Sapp doesn’t get in. Media will make him wait. FYI @ Joe….Donald Penn & Davin Joseph did an EXCELLENT interview on Booger & Rich yesterday. Said very interesting stuff. Its on their website.
February 2nd, 2013 at 9:49 am
I think he deserves it. He was one hell of a game changer for many years. Would be nice to have another Buc in the hall. Good luck Warren.
February 2nd, 2013 at 9:54 am
Ogden, Shields, Sapp, Strahan, Bettis/Carter/Reed/Allen….. So many great players.
February 2nd, 2013 at 10:15 am
Even if he doesn’t make it this year…. imagine 2014… Brooks and Sapp together. How many Bucs fans would be in Canton for that????
I’m already planning on being there for #55 in 2014. Adding Sapp to that would be incredible.
February 2nd, 2013 at 10:19 am
Two Noles could go in 2014… Walter Jones and Derrick Brooks.
February 2nd, 2013 at 10:35 am
If Cortez Kennedy got in, Sapp MUST get in. Enough said!!!
February 2nd, 2013 at 10:48 am
Hope so…..he was a hell of a football player !
February 2nd, 2013 at 10:52 am
If Ira pulls it off he should be on the host team for bringing another Superbowl to Tampa. That committee has let the entire area down and who’s knows the next time we see a Superbowl here. Good luck Ira.. I disagree with you alot but feel you will do your best..
February 2nd, 2013 at 11:06 am
They should just play highlights of him doing the Beyonce’ end zone celebration and that should do it!
February 2nd, 2013 at 12:10 pm
Sapp, Ogden, and Allen are stone cold locks! I don’t want to see Sapp go in with Brooks. Sapp deserves the distinction of being first ballot!
February 2nd, 2013 at 2:58 pm
A simple test is – do they compare other people to a player or not.
For how many years have we heard – he ‘could’ be the next Warren Sapp?
If Sapp does not get in, there is something seriously wrong with the process. Like him as a person or not, there wasn’t anyone better at the time.
Plus, he has a ring – and everyone knows it was the Defense that carried that team.
February 2nd, 2013 at 3:06 pm
Sapp is definitely not a lock. His loud mouth and rather lackluster end to his career will keep him out for at least this year and maybe a few more. Maybe he goes in next year with Brooks, who is the definition of a first ballot lock. Ronde is also to me pretty much a lock, though probably not first ballot.
February 2nd, 2013 at 5:01 pm
Sapp and Strahan are by far the best 2 in this class. You can say whatever you want about his personal life but on the field the guy was a game changer and difference maker, he was by far the best DT of his generation. If these people use there heads and not there feelings he’s a lock to get in this time around.
February 2nd, 2013 at 7:01 pm
warren sapp is a first time ballot hall of famer!!!!!!!!
February 2nd, 2013 at 7:33 pm
Come again???
Lol yea boi!!!! Get it done QBKILLA!!! jajaja congrats