Warren Sapp reprimanded by NFL Network: ‘He’s an analyst, not a reporter’
Warren Sapp created quite the buzz when he threw Jeremy Shockey under the bus and accused him of being a snitch in the NFL’s investigation of the Saints’ infamous bounty program. However, Sapp, who works for NFL Network, has been admonished by his bosses for making the allegation without going through the proper channels, as NFL Network Senior Vice President of Programming and Production Mark Quenzel explained to Pro Football Talk in a statement:
“We have discussed it with Warren and stressed that he is an analyst and not a reporter for NFL Network. In the future, if he comes across something he thinks is news he will let his producers know and before it is reported or Tweeted, that content will be subject to the same verification procedure that our reporters follow.”
Earlier this week Sapp tweeted and later repeated on air that Shockey was the whistle blower for the Saints’ bounty system. Shockey profusely refuted the claims, even showing a text from Saints coach Sean Payton that he thought exonerated him. Sapp hasn’t revealed his source.
We thought what Sapp did to Shockey was pretty reckless and was a fireable offense. Obviously Sapp losing his job is not going to happen now. Hopefully he’s learned that somebody with his stature and position can’t throw damaging accusations around so loosely without being entirely certain.
Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas, US Presswire
