Sapp to donate his brain

Hall of Famer cites concussion concerns

Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp announced that his brain will go to the Concussion Legacy Foundation for medical research after his death.

Sapp, 44, said in an essay on the Players’ Tribune website that he’s started to feel the effects of the many hits he took during his 13-year NFL career. He said he’s specifically become concerned about his memory. Sapp said he hopes his donation can help prevent concussions and permanent brain damage for future football players.

Sapp played defensive tackle from 1995-2003 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he earned seven trips to the Pro Bowl and a Super Bowl ring in 2002.

Elsewhere

Pope Francis has met with an NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame delegation, which included Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, in Vatican City and urged them to translate values of teamwork and fair play from the football field to the broader community to build a “culture of encounter.” Francis says such values help “combat the exaggerated individualism, indifference and injustice that hold us back from living as one human family.” The Pope blessed the entire group, including the Hall of Famers and their wives. The group went on to a viewing of the Sistine Chapel and had a scheduled visit of the American Embassy later in the day.

Raiders

Oakland quarterback Derek Carr is reportedly close to finalizing a multiyear contract extention that could pay him an average of $25 million per season. Should the deal reach the $25 million threshold, the fourth-year player from Fresno State would become the NFL’s highest paid quarterback in terms of yearly average salary. Carr said on his official Twitter account there was no deal as of yet.

Jets

Linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin was arrested after turning himself in to police, per a New York Police Department spokeswoman. Mauldin was charged with misdemeanor assault, the spokeswoman said, related to an alleged altercation inside a Manhattan nightclub on April 2. Mauldin is also being sued by the alleged victim, who reportedly stated that he was beat up a result of spilling champagne on the linebacker. Mauldin said last week he was “shocked” by the allegations.