Well, Mercedes Sapp didn’t just inherit a love for sports — she was born with a whistle around her neck. With Warren Sapp, a seven-time Pro Bowler, and soccer player Jamiko Sapp, sports wasn’t a choice; it’s a family business. So, forging her own path on the field is not a big deal for her. But Mercedes believes in upliftment. And that’s why she’s rolling up her sleeves and making moves. She’s joining hands with Tampa Bay’s youth sports empowerment program for girls. To make sure that women in sports don’t need a seat at the table when they can build their own arena.
Now, what’s better than uplifting women ahead of Women’s Day? And what’s better than being a part of a program that makes sure that women feel valued, celebrated, and empowered both on and off the field? That’s exactly what ‘She is Football Summit’ is doing for them. Mercedes Sapp is all up for it. She shared a story on Instagram with Alexa De Barros, who’s also a soccer player at Tampa Bay. With a beautiful caption that reads, “#StampedeForWomen coming through.” Women celebrating women is the best thing you can see around Buccaneer’s Camp.
This initiative aims to engage girls in football, offering them opportunities in the sport and using universities as a platform for genuine mentorship. Tampa Bay has a history of supporting women in sports, pushing boundaries, and ensuring equal opportunities regardless of gender. Last year, the Buccaneers made history by introducing the Girls in Football Scholarship, the first NFL team to sponsor a college scholarship for high school seniors pursuing a football career. The Buccaneers link this national scholarship to student-athletes participating in their Girls Flag Football Preseason Classic.
The Buccaneers don’t just talk about change; they put it into action. They support the NFL’s Women’s Careers in Football Forum every year, with key figures like Darcie Glazer Kassewitz and trailblazing coaches Lori Locust and Maral Javadifar — who made history as the first female coaches to win a Super Bowl — leading the charge. It’s no surprise that Mercedes Sapp is totally in for this game-changing movement to empower women in sports.
But her tie to Tampa Bay goes beyond just the cause. In case you didn’t know, the Buccaneers hold a special place in her family’s story — thanks to her father, Warren Sapp. The Bucs selected Warren Sapp 12th overall in the 1995 NFL Draft, and he spent nine impressive years in Tampa, playing 140 games and starting 130. He wasn’t just present in the postseason — he excelled, starting all nine of his playoff appearances. His legacy is deeply ingrained in the franchise, and now, Mercedes is carving out her own path in a different manner.
Here comes the interesting part. It’s wild how Mercedes and Warren Sapp are on opposite sides of the field but striving for the same objective. Mercedes dedicates herself to uplifting young girls in sports, ensuring they have their chance. Meanwhile, Warren Sapp is out there supporting Shedeur Sanders, with his NFL run.
Warren Sapp firm support towards Shedeur Sanders
Swagger or stumbling block? Shedeur Sanders is at the center of a major debate following his NFL Combine interviews. The Colorado QB decided to skip the drills and head straight to team meetings, where he left at least one anonymous coach unimpressed. According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, a quarterbacks coach from a top-seven draft team described Sanders as “brash” and “arrogant.” Warren Sapp has also expressed concerns. And Sapp — never one to sit quietly — wants names. “I’ve been working for the last 48 hours to get his name. If I get his name, oh buddy, we’re going to do a deep dive into his life,” Sapp said on Thee Pregame Show, making it clear he’s not letting this slide.
Warren Sapp is not the one pushing back. When NFL Draft expert Todd McShay mentioned that a high-ranking team official criticized Shedeur saying he “wasn’t taking it all that seriously,” another source mentioned his lack of a ‘professional approach’. Despite these criticisms, Sanders appeared unfazed by their opinions. McShay noted that these comments came from teams in need of a quarterback who has early Draft picks. Coach Warren didn’t hesitate to defend his player, saying, “We’re talking about a quarterback coach who’s not a decision-maker, wants to make that call about our quarterback.”
In addition, Warren Sapp heaped praise on Shedeur, calling him “the daywalker” with “all his siblings’ strengths but none of their weaknesses.” Warren Sapp made it clear that he doesn’t think a quarterbacks coach — who “isn’t a decision-maker” — should have the power to shape the narrative around Shedeur. Look, Coach Prime and Warren Sapp have had a history of protecting their players, and no wonder Sapp is all up for it.
So, is this about Sanders’ personality clashing with some, or are NFL teams nitpicking for other reasons? In any case, the QB1 talk just became much more intense.
The post Warren Sapp’s Daughter Drops Big Announcement From Buccaneers’ Camp Amid Dad’s Stern Shedeur Sanders Stance appeared first on EssentiallySports.