Warren Sapp fingers Jeremy Shockey as the Saints’ bounty snitch

[snowthedirtbub]

With the Saints' bounty scandal coming to its conclusion on Wednesday (at least, the beginning of the conclusion), it makes sense to look back at how it started. At some point along the way, obviously, someone in the Saints organization said something to someone that maybe should've stayed in house.

Who's the rat? According to Warren Sapp, it's former Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey. Here's how their Twitter conversation unfolded, complete with denial from Shock-J.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-s...y-shockey-saints-bounty-snitch-203130611.html

Warren Sapp lost some points in my book for this.

 

[Darkside]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-s...y-shockey-saints-bounty-snitch-203130611.html

Warren Sapp lost some points in my book for this.

Could you please explain why Sapp lost points for this? What's worse, the fact that the Saints did it, the fact that someone was a snitch, or the fact that Sapp reported it? I'm totally confused as to why you think Sapp is somehow blameworthy.

 

[Bodha]

Could you please explain why Sapp lost points for this? What's worse, the fact that the Saints did it, the fact that someone was a snitch, or the fact that Sapp reported it? I'm totally confused as to why you think Sapp is somehow blameworthy.

Saints can go **** themselves

"Snitches get stiches" What are we in Jr.High School? Dude reported some major, major BS thats an embarasment to players everywhere. I say good job Shockey, he was man enough to say this is wrong when everyone else was too big of a puss to say anything because they didnt want to be a 'snitch' or get coodies.

This is none of Warrens business. Hes just grasping for the spotlight, like hes done his entire career.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Could you please explain why Sapp lost points for this? What's worse, the fact that the Saints did it, the fact that someone was a snitch, or the fact that Sapp reported it? I'm totally confused as to why you think Sapp is somehow blameworthy.

I think he's blameworthy. He went public with something that was nothing more than hearsay. And, it's the kind of thing that could ruin a person's career and even put his life in jeopardy. There are some crazed fans out there. I'm no fan of Shockey but he has the kind of personality that just rubs others wrong so it's not hard to imagine someone starting this rumor out of spite. It's incredibly reckless to give weight to that kind of rumor when the stakes are this high. He needed another source before reporting this, IMO.

Steve

 

[NJCardFan]

Could you please explain why Sapp lost points for this? What's worse, the fact that the Saints did it, the fact that someone was a snitch, or the fact that Sapp reported it? I'm totally confused as to why you think Sapp is somehow blameworthy.

Because Sapp more than likely is going off of 3rd hand information. Unless Shockey was caught on camera or tape snitching then Sapp is going off of hearsay. Oh, and that 'snitches get stiches' mentality is the reason why the black community is in the sewer currently.

 

[52brandon]

logically, if Shockey knew, Brees knew. If Brees knew, he has no business representing the players

 

[cardpa]

Doesn't matter if it was Shockey or someone else. The reality is it needed to be reported. What I fail to understand is how all these players whine and complain about how they place their bodies on the line every week and how they sacrifice health and how every game could be their last game due to an injury and then you have some of them placing bounties on other players. Talk about hypocrites.

 

[Southpaw]

Doesn't matter if it was Shockey or someone else. The reality is it needed to be reported. What I fail to understand is how all these players whine and complain about how they place their bodies on the line every week and how they sacrifice health and how every game could be their last game due to an injury and then you have some of them placing bounties on other players. Talk about hypocrites.

Well said. If Shockey is the source, then kudos to him. Sapp is a hypocrite on every front of this. He has no problem outing Shockey but won't out his source. Protecting one snitch while outing an alleged snitch is utter hypocrisy. Shockey should be given a medal of honor if he did inform the league. I would think that protecting the safety and health of NFL players is worthy while hiding behind some pact of loyalty is totally unworthy. The NFL needs more integrity not less.


BTW, Warren Sapp has some deep dark secrets about his personal behavior, on and off the field, that are worthy of public discussion , but thanks to the brother in arms code and celebrity special treatment he gets to run around as a paid mouthpiece.

 

[Totally_Red]

I don't know if it was backpedaling or what, but Sapp couldn't have been more lauding of what 'RGI' handed out when he appeared on Total Access last night. Apparently he wants to keep getting those NFL Network paychecks.

 

[BigRedRage]

RGI? Goodell?

 

[PortlandCardFan]

Did Sapp ever complain about chop blocking? I remember D-linemen complain about this several years ago and about how it could end their careers! Wow! Hypocrite much?

 

[Buckybird]

Sapp has & always be a douche

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Saints can go **** themselves

"Snitches get stiches" What are we in Jr.High School? Dude reported some major, major BS thats an embarasment to players everywhere. I say good job Shockey, he was man enough to say this is wrong when everyone else was too big of a puss to say anything because they didnt want to be a 'snitch' or get coodies.

This is none of Warrens business. Hes just grasping for the spotlight, like hes done his entire career.

People don't like it when you rat out one of your own. There most likely will be repercussions, whether it is juvenile or not.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Did Sapp ever complain about chop blocking? I remember D-linemen complain about this several years ago and about how it could end their careers! Wow! Hypocrite much?

Of course he did. Every D-lineman since the dawn of the game has, and there are penalties under the rules of the game.

P.S. These decisons by the Commissioner were not simply based on one report or "snitch", if you prefer.

 

[Lorenzo]

I don't like shockey at all personally, but in this particular case the player(s) snitched because their leadership didn't. The saints coaching staff failed their players and fans. Sometimes being a leader you have to do the unpopular thing that pisses a lot of people off. But it is the right thing to do in the end. I think sean peyton and his staff should be the ones taking the most heat because as professionals and leaders of that team they should have owned up to their mistake before it got this far. At some point when an investigation is going on and people are being threatened with punishment for blocking it, someone is going to spill thier guts if it means losing money/status/etc.

 

[Southpaw]

I don't like shockey at all personally, but in this particular case the player(s) snitched because their leadership didn't. The saints coaching staff failed their players and fans. Sometimes being a leader you have to do the unpopular thing that pisses a lot of people off. But it is the right thing to do in the end. I think sean peyton and his staff should be the ones taking the most heat because as professionals and leaders of that team they should have owned up to their mistake before it got this far. At some point when an investigation is going on and people are being threatened with punishment for blocking it, someone is going to spill thier guts if it means losing money/status/etc.

or just the right and moral thing to do.

Snitches get stitches.

Whether gleaned from Cam'ron or The Wire, it's a phrase oft-perpetuated by tough guys, by the living, modern re-appropriation of John Wayne. It's a code of silence, a code that comes with consequences for every syllable uttered to the contrary.

It is, for whatever reason, society's notion of street-birthed honor, as if it fits the definition at all.

Snitches get stitches.

It's the mentality the anonymous collective—yes, I'm talking to you, Internet—so often reduces itself to for fear of standing up to what is wrong, what is unjust, what clearly cannot be allowed to continue.

Essentially, though its perpetuators will puff out their chests and tense up their tribal tattoos, it is the death of responsible social reaction. Masquerading as masculinity, as the right thing to do.

Snitches get stitches.

Today, Warren Sapp took to Twitter to call Jeremy Shockey out for "snitching" on the New Orleans Saints. This, of course, as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell effectively laid the hammer down on New Orleans, suspending head coach Sean Payton for the season and general manager Mickey Loomis for eight games.

 

[jwmann2]

Saints can go **** themselves

"Snitches get stiches" What are we in Jr.High School? Dude reported some major, major BS thats an embarasment to players everywhere. I say good job Shockey, he was man enough to say this is wrong when everyone else was too big of a puss to say anything because they didnt want to be a 'snitch' or get coodies.

This is none of Warrens business. Hes just grasping for the spotlight, like hes done his entire career.

Great post. Even if Shockey did, who cares? Payton is the one that should really be ashamed.

 

[Bodha]

People don't like it when you rat out one of your own. There most likely will be repercussions, whether it is juvenile or not.

When its puttings other in harm or simply a terrible thing thats happening, someone needs to have the balls to step up and stop it.

whats more admirable: This is wrong, Im going to stop this VS. Im a sheep and dont want to go against the group.


And again, what repercussions? Lets use a non-juvenile example. Whats going to happen to Shockey? Not a damn thing. These are adults. "Snitches get stiches" only applies to teenagers and in the ghetto, neither of which are relevant in the NFL or real world.

 

[THESMEL]

I blame Kurt Warner and Brett Favre for not being tougher! just kidding of course.

I'm all in for Sportsmanship, My nephew played hockey, it was not tolerable to scar a person for life, until he hit the pro's.

Why does gazillionaires need money to motivate them? that is some dysfunctional crap across the NFL, not just the Saints.

I hope for an outside network to perform an official review, because at the price they pay for NFL games, they hold as much power of the purse as anything. The NFL policeing itself has not work, it gets worse never better.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

When its puttings other in harm or simply a terrible thing thats happening, someone needs to have the balls to step up and stop it.

whats more admirable: This is wrong, Im going to stop this VS. Im a sheep and dont want to go against the group.


And again, what repercussions? Lets use a non-juvenile example. Whats going to happen to Shockey? Not a damn thing. These are adults. "Snitches get stiches" only applies to teenagers and in the ghetto, neither of which are relevant in the NFL or real world.

I'm not advocating not speaking out, merely stating that there likely could be consequences. I'm not just talking about in the NFL either. Pitchers beaning someone who says something derogatory. Hockey players cheap-shotting each other. This type of thing happens everywhere. Cops sticking up for one of their own when one gets accused of something for example.

Things that could happen to Shockey?? (assuming he did it) Blackballed in the locker room, a spiteful QB, hanging him out to dry, things happening at the bottom of the pile..etc. This type of behavior doesn't only happen to teenagers and the ghetto.

 

[john h]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-s...y-shockey-saints-bounty-snitch-203130611.html

Warren Sapp lost some points in my book for this.

If Shockey was the guy who told the authorities I certainly would not use the word Snitch? Who ever did tell should be given an award or bonus. To have a group plan to reward players to injure others is criminal IMHO. Who is to say you might not end up putting a guy in a wheelchair for life? Football, hockey, etc are dangerous by nature. You do not need to add to that with plans and rewards for these injuries. To have coaches as part of this is even worse. Perhaps a suspension for life might be more appropriate. An on rushing LB who has an open blindside shot at a QB has a choice of just where he wants to hit the QB. If his team mates are going to reward him for knocking the QB out he can pick just the spot that is most likely to injure, maim, or whatever. It sounds macho but to the injured player and his family is barbaric. I just do not get it. We all cheer when we see a hard hit but that is the nature of the game. What next? A book to tell you how to best injure an opposing player? I understand a player can get mad for whatever reason and want payback but that is not the same as encouraging players to injure others.

 

[john h]

Could you please explain why Sapp lost points for this? What's worse, the fact that the Saints did it, the fact that someone was a snitch, or the fact that Sapp reported it? I'm totally confused as to why you think Sapp is somehow blameworthy.

By using the word "Snitch" which con-notates something bad. Whistle blower would have been more acceptable. By using the word "snitch" Warren basically indicated Shockey did a bad thing if he was the whistle blower. If I see a man rob a bank and know who he is--am I a snitch if I tell the police. To the bank robber I am. To the public and police I have done a service. NFL is a better place now that this has been exposed and probably most of the players are pleased that it has. They may not say as much as that would not be macho. Do we want to teach our young boys that this is an acceptable way to play football? I would guess the owner also knew if he was really involved with the team. You can bet Jerry Jones would know if his team has such a plan as he is involved in everything this team does in and out of the locker room.

Actually Snitch & Informer & whistle blower are almost synonymous but in general usage a snitch is not someone to be admired. I very much doubt Warren knew that when he made his statement.

 

[john h]

Because Sapp more than likely is going off of 3rd hand information. Unless Shockey was caught on camera or tape snitching then Sapp is going off of hearsay. Oh, and that 'snitches get stiches' mentality is the reason why the black community is in the sewer currently.

Players are constantly being traded and moving to new teams. It is very likely that most NFL players were aware that such practices existed with some teams. I also suspect there are Coaches who would put an immediate stop to it if they were aware and certainly some owners who would immediately stop it. I doubt Mr. B would have allowed this to go on but then he was not that involved with locker room activity. Young players coming on to a new team are very unlikely to be a whistle blower for fear of being called a piranha or even being target themselves and or losing their jobs. The old guys on the team sort of set the tone of things such as this.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Players are constantly being traded and moving to new teams. It is very likely that most NFL players were aware that such practices existed with some teams. I also suspect there are Coaches who would put an immediate stop to it if they were aware and certainly some owners who would immediately stop it. I doubt Mr. B would have allowed this to go on but then he was not that involved with locker room activity. Young players coming on to a new team are very unlikely to be a whistle blower for fear of being called a piranha or even being target themselves and or losing their jobs. The old guys on the team sort of set the tone of things such as this.

Impossible. Those types of things only happen in the ghetto or by teenagers.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

By using the word "Snitch" which con-notates something bad. Whistle blower would have been more acceptable. By using the word "snitch" Warren basically indicated Shockey did a bad thing if he was the whistle blower. If I see a man rob a bank and know who he is--am I a snitch if I tell the police. To the bank robber I am. To the public and police I have done a service. NFL is a better place now that this has been exposed and probably most of the players are pleased that it has. They may not say as much as that would not be macho. Do we want to teach our young boys that this is an acceptable way to play football? I would guess the owner also knew if he was really involved with the team. You can bet Jerry Jones would know if his team has such a plan as he is involved in everything this team does in and out of the locker room.

Actually Snitch & Informer & whistle blower are almost synonymous but in general usage a snitch is not someone to be admired. I very much doubt Warren knew that when he made his statement.

Whistleblower would be the proper term in this case.

That said; Shockey has denied he is the source and demanded an apology and retraction.

So far the NFL Network has merely said that they've discussed the issue with Sapp, and told him to stick to analysing and not reporting.

Fact remains that the NFLN did invite Sapp on air to repeat his earlier Tweet naming Shockey, and this attempt to whitewash themselves by admonishing Sapp is not likely to work.

I can see civil litigation lawyers lining up to take this one on.