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Sapp Knew Brooks’ Greatness

Posted Aug 12, 2010 by Ira Kaufman

Updated Aug 12, 2010 at 12:11 PM

By IRA KAUFMAN

TAMPA—How great a player was Derrick Brooks?

Brooks was so great, even Warren Sapp knew he wasn’t as good as Tampa Bay’s perennial pro Bowl linebacker.

Being with Sapp in the locker room over the years, you could tell he revered No. 55. Each time he spoke about Brooks in public, you could tell Sapp knew in his heart that Brooks was the better player.

That’s not an easy admission for someone with the pride of Sapp, who defined the undertackle position in the Tampa 2 defense.

Listening to Sapp talk up Brooks, I was always reminded of the way Phil Esposito talked about Bobby Orr. Esposito was one of the most decorated players in NHL history, but when the Lightning founder discussed Mr. Orr, you got the distinct impression he knew he wasn’t as good as No. 4.

Even among the immortals, there’s a pecking order.