Thread: Bears' Marshall apologizes to Sapp for remarks

Interesting.

LINK to the article

Brandon Marshall addressed the public spat between him and NFL Network analyst Warren Sapp and said he apologized to the former star defensive tackle for his public remarks.

“That thing started like a year ago,” Marshall said. “It was actually Sterling Sharpe who made a comment and I made a comment back last year. It took me by surprise last year. I will say that if I could do it again ... I really meant everything I said, but I think it would have helped him more if I had kept it private.”

Marshall had posted two videos online in response to Sapp calling him a “retard” on a radio program.

Sapp had said: “These kids that play the game today have no relevance for the past, have no conscious of what it is. I mean, Brandon Marshall talking about Shannon Sharpe, who is he to talk? He’s the first 100-catch receiver, back-to-back, retard. What you just did in Denver for three years. You don’t know this? No, of course he doesn’t, because it’s not about Brandon Marshall ... it ain’t about the past, it’s about me. It’s about personal success, pay me, and now I’ll think about being a team guy.”

Marshall made a video showing himself driving a car and criticizing Sapp for filing for bankruptcy and being divorced.

“I apologized to Warren Sapp for saying that publicly," Marshall said. "I meant everything I said, but where I am at in my life I need to learn from that and keep that privately. We’ll both learn from this and be better men."

Marshall also said he is sympathetic to the plight of the Green Bay Packers, who came out on the short end of the replacement officials’ controversial call in Monday night’s 14-12 loss at Seattle.

“It helps us out, but at the same time those guys work really hard,” the Chicago Bears receiver said Thursday at Halas Hall. “They put a lot into their preparation on and off the field. To lose a game like that ... that’s tough. I’ve got some guys on that (Packers) team that I went to college and played with. So I feel for them. But at the same time, it’s the National Football League and we’ve got to move forward.”

The Bears (2-1) travel to Arlington, Tex., to face the Cowboys (2-1) on Monday night.

“Wide receivers are divas, so it is a time to showcase our ‘diva-ness,’” Marshall said with a smile.

“Coach (Rob) Ryan (Cowboys defensive coordinator) has those guys really playing well. I think they’re No. 1 in total defense, especially against the pass. They’re tough,” Marshall said. “They’ve got some young corners over there that play well. They are a little banged up, but with the scheme he has, man, he really put guys in position to make plans.”

Marshall has a team-high 214 receiving yards and 16 catches through the first three games. He had five catches for 71 yards in last Sunday’s win over the Rams.

Jay Cutler has a 58.6 passer rating after completing 49 of 93 passes for 642 yards. He has thrown three TD passes while being intercepted six times.

Asked about the danger of possibly targeting Marshall too much when he is double-covered, Cutler responded in an irritated manner: “It depends on what coverage ... there are a lot of variables. You can’t just make a vague statement: ‘If they’re playing ... if they’re giving him extra attention can you go to him?’ Depends on what route it is, what coverage it is, what’s the down and distance. There are a lot of things that go into it.”