Full Breakdown
Warren Sapp Ejected from Tampa City Hall, Files First-Amendment Lawsuit
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
Retired NFL Hall of Famer Warren Sapp entered an adjoining room at Tampa City Hall to request public records related to a prior council decision. While he was there, Tampa City Council Chair Alan Clendenin paused a council meeting, ordered Sapp to leave, and a police officer identified as “Officer Barbosa” escorted him out. Sapp refused to leave, flipped off the chair and the officer, and ultimately exited without being arrested. The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office later stated it does not have a criminal case against Sapp. Sapp’s attorneys filed a lawsuit alleging the city’s actions violate the First Amendment.
Legal Claim and Representation
The complaint characterizes the city’s description of Sapp’s conduct as a “disturbance” as an unjustified governmental response to protected speech.
Official Responses
- City Council Chair Alan Clendenin warned Sapp that police would be called if he did not leave.
- The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office confirmed it has no pending criminal case against Sapp.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I’m warning you to leave and if you don’t leave, I’m going to ask the police to escort you out,” — Alan Clendenin, city council chair
- “What crime have I committed? I’m in a public place,” — Warren Sapp
- “You’re interfering with city council meeting right now,” — Officer Barbosa
Next Steps
Sapp’s lawsuit seeks a declaratory judgment that the city’s actions were unconstitutional and aims to prevent similar treatment of citizens making public-record requests in the future. The case is pending in federal court.