A Tampa City Council meeting paused on Thursday when former Tampa Bay Buccaneers player Warren Sapp entered City Hall anddisrupted business, according to police.
The disturbance came late in the afternoon amid a discussion on a contentious flood prevention project in South Tampa.
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After Sapp, a Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive tackle, entered an office adjoining the council’s chambers, council chairperson Alan Clendenin paused a presentation from city staff, saying, “We’ve got something going on out here, I can’t pay attention.” He went into the office.
Upon returning to the dais, Clendenin said, “We’re going to pause the proceedings for just one moment.” A minute later, he asked a legislative aide to lock the doors leading into the chambers. Confusion seeped across the room as attendees strained to see through the glass doors into the adjoining room.
The meeting proceeded. So, too, did the disorder in the room next door.
Minutes later, Clendenin again paused a staff presentation to strike his gavel: “I am ruling the folks that are in our offices that are being disruptive to City Council procedures out of order. I have asked them to leave the premises, and they have refused to leave the premises.” Clendenin called a recess and asked attendees to stay in their seats.
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The meeting resumed several minutes later. More than 20 minutes after that, Clendenin said attendees were free to leave the room.
The Tampa Police Department, in a statement to the Tampa Bay Times, said, “This afternoon Warren Sapp went to City Council Chambers. Council found him to be out of order by creating a disturbance and requested him to be trespassed for the day. Officers responded and asked Sapp to leave. Council encouraged people to remain inside as officers addressed.”
