Brandon Marshall Fires Back at Warren Sapp After Controversial Comments

The NFL Network's Warren Sapp showed off supreme flexibility when he stuck his foot in his mouth by showing a shocking lack of judgement in word choice while discussing Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

Marshall, who is certainly no stranger to controversy himself, did not simply turn the other cheek. He fired back. Check out this video.  

Here is a transcription of the majority of the tape, provided by ESPN. 

"

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. 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.

"

I'm not sure that filming a video while driving is the greatest idea, but you can't blame Marshall for firing back at Sapp. However, he should have taken a different approach. 

Marshall was acting like he and Sapp were in a political race, with negative used to match negative.

He took this opportunity to bash Sapp for his personal problems. He should have focused on the issue at hand, that Sapp used foolish and hateful words.

Marshall addresses the main issue in the beginning and then steers wildly off course. While many people still use the "R" word in everyday life, it is a word that is unacceptable for someone to utter in a setting like Sapp did.

It is a word that needs to be phased out through awareness. 

Marshall had a chance to help raise this awareness and he blew it. 

To his credit, Sapp acknowledges as much. ESPN passed along this apology from the former dominant defensive tackle. 

"

I want to apologize to all those who I offended with my poor choice of words. I certainly meant no disrespect to those who have some type of disability or special needs.

"

In the ESPN link above, you can read Sapp's original feud-starting comment. You will also see that Sapp not only used a poor word choice, but also confused Shannon Sharpe for his brother Sterling Sharpe. It was definitely not his finest moment. 

This regrettable mess does not appear to be over either. Check out this tweet from Marshall's verified Twitter account.

"

So @warrensapp just emailed where and when. I assume he wants to fight. Exactly what I'm talking about. #comeonmannn

— Brandon Marshall (@BMarshall) September 24, 2012"

At least Marshall didn't meet the bravado with more aggression. Hopefully this immature feud will end here before these two further embarrass themselves.

If not? Maybe they could schedule a UFC bout and donate the proceeds to help individuals with developmental disabilities.