‘Tappa’ Whitmore Reveals He Does Not Get Free Tickets to Watch Reggae Boyz: Interview

During a new interview, former Reggae Boy, Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore reflects on his time as head coach of the national men’s team and highlights that himself and other former players are being disrespected by the persons in charge.

Whitmore specifically expressed that he finds the fact that he does not receive free tickets to attend Reggae Boyz’ matches as disrespectful. During his interview on TVJ’s Centre Circle, which was released on Friday, he also said he refuses to ask anyone for any.

“Si Jamaica team a play, and none a dem neva send a ticket come gi mi yet enuh. And mi nah call nuh body and beg dem none. If eh nuh deh pan TV mi nuh watch eh,” Whitmore said. He also named Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange who is the minister of sports in Jamaica, declaring that he won’t contact her for tickets.

He further expressed that other legendary footballers and coaches had not been shown appreciation, so he is really no different. Throughout his decades-long career in football, Whitmore contributed to Jamaican football as a member of the national men’s team and as the team’s head coach.

The highlight of his career as a footballer is the two goals he scored to make the Reggae Boyz beat Japan 2-1 in 1998 for the island’s first and only World Cup victory in history.

Whitmore is currently the head coach of Jamaica Premier League club Mount Pleasant FA. While some have called for his return as head coach of the national team, Whitmore said he is focusing on his current team and is not considering returning.

According to the former Reggae Boy, he is quite comfortable where he is. “Mi comfortable. Mi nuh under no stress. Mi nuh under no pressure. Mi just a work,” Whitmore stated.

Whitmore went on to state that some people have too much ego.

“Yuh have too much ego bout the place man. that’s why we can’t do well man. Because a nuh everybody glad fi yuh. A nuh everybody weh yuh si sidung beside yuh dem glad fi yuh,” Whitmore said.

He added that Mount Pleasant is the most professional team he has ever worked with. Whitmore did not explicitly call out anyone working with the national team or the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), but the JFF has been criticised for their lack of professionalism.

Watch Whitmore’s interview below.