From the sun-drenched streets of Florida to the hallowed halls of Canton, few football legends have left a mark as deep as Warren Sapp. The Hall of Famer’s journey—from a hard-hitting high school prospect in Apopka to a dominant force at the University of Miami and an NFL icon with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—has been defined by intensity, passion, and an unshakable allegiance to his beloved Hurricanes. If there’s one thing Sapp has never wavered on, it’s his deep-rooted rivalry with the Florida State Seminoles.
So, when the former defensive terror was pressed to name his favorite Seminole of all time, fans braced for impact. Would he even entertain the idea of tipping his hat to a player from the enemy camp? After all, this is a man who has lived and breathed the Miami-FSU rivalry—one of the fiercest in college football history. A rivalry that has produced unforgettable moments, heartbreak, triumph, and games so legendary that they’ve been immortalized with nicknames like “Wide Right,” “The Miami Muff,” and “The Block at the Rock.”
With all that history, surely Sapp wouldn’t dare cross enemy lines?
The Stunning Verdict—Sapp’s Favorite Seminole Isn’t Even a Football Player!
At an event hosted by Smash Golf Club, Sapp was put on the spot. Asked to name his all-time favorite Florida State player, the legendary No. 99 in orange and green knew he was treading dangerous waters.
“Number 99 in your program, number one in your heart—Cane for life,” Sapp began, making sure his Miami roots were firmly established before revealing his answer. And then, in a move that stunned both Miami and FSU fans alike, he didn’t name a Seminole football legend like Deion Sanders, Derrick Brooks, or Jameis Winston. Instead, he picked… Brooks Koepka.
Yes, the five-time major-winning golfer.
Standing on a golf course, Sapp found the perfect way to acknowledge an FSU product without betraying his Miami allegiance. “No doubt about it, Brooks Koepka,” he declared, perhaps throwing a curveball to those expecting a football name. Of course, he did give a nod to some notable Seminoles he shared an NFL locker room with—Tampa Bay teammates Derrick Brooks, Greg Spires, and Super Bowl MVP Dexter Jackson. But the honor of being Sapp’s favorite? That belonged to the world-class golfer who, like Sapp, was a Florida native through and through.
A Rivalry on the Brink—Will Miami vs. FSU Become a Thing of the Past?
As unexpected as Sapp’s answer was, an even bigger shock might be looming on the horizon: the possibility that Miami and Florida State won’t be meeting on the field as often—if at all—in the near future.
For decades, the annual clash between the Hurricanes and Seminoles has been one of college football’s greatest spectacles. It’s a rivalry that has shaped national championship races, delivered countless iconic moments, and kept fans on the edge of their seats year after year. But in the new era of conference realignment, tradition is taking a backseat to financial and competitive incentives.
The landscape of college football has been shifting dramatically. Texas and Oklahoma bolted for the SEC. USC and Oregon left the Pac-12 behind for the Big Ten. And now, Florida State appears to be next in line, seeking an exit from the ACC. The Seminoles have already reached a settlement in their legal battle with the conference, a move that clears the path for their departure.
If FSU follows through with its realignment plans, Miami could be left behind in the ACC, potentially ending one of the sport’s most heated rivalries as an annual fixture. It could become another Texas vs. Texas A&M situation—where a once-bitter rivalry fades into the background for years before an eventual reunion.
For die-hard fans like Sapp, the idea of this showdown disappearing from the calendar is almost unthinkable. Rivalries are the lifeblood of college football. They fuel the passion, the drama, and the unforgettable moments that make the sport so special. Losing Miami-FSU as a yearly tradition would be nothing short of a travesty.
Sapp’s Next Chapter—A New Home in Colorado but Forever Miami at Heart
Even as the fate of this storied rivalry hangs in the balance, Warren Sapp himself has embarked on a new chapter. He’s left Florida behind for the Rocky Mountains, joining Deion Sanders’ staff as a graduate assistant at Colorado. But while his zip code may have changed, his love for Miami football remains as strong as ever.
As Sapp fine-tunes his golf swing and embraces his new role in coaching, he’ll surely keep an eye on how the conference realignment chaos unfolds. The thought of Miami and Florida State no longer battling it out every year is enough to make any die-hard fan uneasy.
One thing’s for sure—whether it’s on the field, in the trenches, or out on the golf course, Warren Sapp will always bring the same fire that made him a legend. And even if he momentarily gave a nod to a Seminole, there’s no doubt where his heart truly lies.
The question now is—will this rivalry survive, or will it become another casualty of college football’s ever-changing landscape?
