Sapp was born in Dublin, Georgia, and grew up in nearby Macon, attending that city's Lanier High School.

After signing to play college football at UGA, Sapp fractured a vertebra in a diving accident in the Spring of 1954.

Georgia Tech, UGA's fiercest rival at the time, had won the previous eight annual meetings between the two teams from 1949 to 1956, the longest winning streak in the series.

Playing defense as a back-up in the 3rd Quarter of the game, Sapp recovered a fumble by Tech's offense at midfield.

Sapp's jersey, number 40, is one of four to be retired by UGA (the others being Frank Sinkwich, Charley Trippi and Herschel Walker).