Watchdog

In a special segment on this week’s INSIDE THE NFL, Warren Sapp answered viewer submitted questions during “Ask Warren Anything”. Below are transcription highlights of the show. This week’s edition of INSIDE THE NFL on SHOWTIME airs tonight, Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Host James Brown anchors INSIDE THE NFL on SHOWTIME with All-Pro NFL greats Cris Collinsworth, Phil Simms, and Sapp serving as expert analysts. INSIDE THE NFL is being produced by CBS Sports and NFL Films with new shows airing on SHOWTIME every Wednesday during the NFL season through February 11, 2009. Pete Radovich serves as coordinating producer. The executive producers are Sean McManus, President, CBS News and Sports, and Steve Sabol, the President of NFL Films.

ASK WARREN

(On rumor that Sapp is a diva on “Dancing With The Stars”)

SAPP: I’ll tell you what. I have to be honest about the diva thing. I am a little eccentric at times. I like cold water and in California they like it room temperature. And as a 300-pound man I needed a little cold water. So they gave me a big cooler and they put “Warren’s Water,” so I guess that’s where they get that from. If a big fella needing cold water is being a diva, then diva I am.

(On whether he would ever watch Keyshawn Johnson’s reality show about interior design)

SAPP: Me, watch Keyshawn on an interior decorating show? Keyshawn, I knew you were a bitch. And thanks for making it all clear.

(On during his playing days, saying the NFL runs a slave system)

SAPP: Back then I was a young guy with a lot of pent up frustrations in my life. I was lashing back at a system that I didn’t understand. Why I couldn’t wear the shoes I wanted, the socks I wanted, or the manner in which I wanted to. There is no individually in this league. Basketball players are the most recognizable players in the world because they walk around with tank tops on. The only thing they allowed me to show is my shield or my team. That is all I would say. There are individuals in this game that make it what it is. It’s not just Tom Brady or Peyton Manning who you can sell to main stream America. It’s Ray Lewis, it’s Warren Sapp, it’s Ed Reeves, the guys that get in this league and give it character and give it spice. The Steelers wouldn’t have been the Steelers without Mean Joe Green, Jack Hamm and the guys and Hollywood that made the NFL what it was. They are taking those guys away from the league. There is no more Hollywood, there is no more nothing. It’s just the NFL.

GRAB BAG

(On league fines for criticizing NFL referees)

SIMMS: I agree with the NFL. There has to be lines that are drawn, what you can do and can’t do. When you cross it, the league is about what people think of it, how you present it. And, players, when you step over that line you get fined.

COLLINSWORTH: It’s out of control right now. I mean every week now…. But I understand free speech. Let’s make sure everybody understands what free speech is. The government can’t infringe on free speech, but a private enterprise can limit anything that there employees say. I don’t mind when it’s a safety issue. But the Randy Moss fine that did get rescinded, let’s give them credit for that, but he basically said, “Hey, the referees have some good calls and some bad calls. They are going to miss one every now and again.” And boom, a $20,000 fine. The commissioner had to step in.

SAPP: The inmates should never run the asylum but the asylum has gotten a little bit off track.