The Saga of Brandon Marshall and Warren Sapp

Former NFL star and NFL Network analyst Warren Sapp insulted Chicago Bears receiver Brandon Marshall, and somehow Marshall is the one offering an apology now.

During a radio interview, Sapp called Marshall a "retard," a word that is not ever OK to use, but is particularly questionable when referring to a man with a well-known mental health issue. Marshall has been open about his diagnosis of  borderline personality disorder for years. When Marshall heard about what Sapp said, he posted a response video online.

"I got a really disturbing heads-up on something Warren Sapp said, called me retarded. That's really disappointing to hear that from an NFL legend, but I'm going to take this as a lesson, and I think we all can learn from this," Marshall said. "Be very careful who you take advice from. You want to surround yourself with good people, godly people. When I look at Warren Sapp, I can't go to him and talk about finances because he filed for bankruptcy. I can't go to him and talk about my marriage because he filed for divorce. I can't go to him and talk about being a father because one day I'm going to have children because he's not active in his children's life."

Quite a biting response from Marshall, but it wasn't unwarranted. Sapp turned analysis into name-calling, and then used a word that even eight-year-olds know not to use. He apologized after Marshall's response, but it shouldn't have taken that to move him to action.

On Thursday, Marshall said he and Sapp exchanged emails and he apologized for taking it public. Of course, it wasn't Marshall who made it public. It was Sapp. 

Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media
Contact Us