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Joe Kapp a YouTube star at 73

Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp said he isn't proud of his part in the throwdown last week at the CFL alumni luncheon that has gone viral on the Internet.

This Nov. 28, 1989 file photo shows British Columbia Lions president Joe Kapp, right, introducing Lary Kuharich as the CFL team's new coach at a news conference in Vancouver. Kapp said while he was surprised at the scope of reaction to his recent altercation with Angelo Mosca, he understands why it became such a popular topic.
This Nov. 28, 1989 file photo shows British Columbia Lions president Joe Kapp, right, introducing Lary Kuharich as the CFL team's new coach at a news conference in Vancouver. Kapp said while he was surprised at the scope of reaction to his recent altercation with Angelo Mosca, he understands why it became such a popular topic.Read moreChuck Stoody/Canadian Press/AP
    by ASSOCIATED PRESS, Daily News
    Published 

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp said he isn't proud of his part in the throwdown last week at the CFL alumni luncheon that has gone viral on the Internet.

Angelo Mosca also is disappointed. The Canadian Football Hall of Famers, both in their mid-70s, have had a few days to reflect on their dustup during Grey Cup weekend in Vancouver.

"The altercation should have been avoided there because it was a celebration of teamwork and togetherness within the country," Kapp, 73, told the Canadian Press yesterday.

"It's a shame it happened," said Mosca, 74.

But both men said they did what they had to do.

"Somebody hit me on the side of the head with a cane - a club - so I had to respond," Kapp said. "I don't think there's any person anywhere that wouldn't respond the way I did."

Mosca said things got heated after he had a flower shoved in his face.

"I don't care if you're the King or the Queen, you're not going to shove something in my face and get away with it," Mosca said.

Kapp said he understands the high level of interest.

"Two old farts going at it - I can see the humor in it," he said from his native California. "But not if you're a participant."

The bad blood between Kapp and Mosca goes back to Hamilton's 21-10 victory over B.C. in the 1963 Grey Cup, when Mosca delivered a controversial hit that sidelined Lions running back Willie Fleming.

Kapp and Mosca were supposed to talk about the hit at the alumni luncheon. Instead, those in attendance were stunned to see a scrap. A YouTube video - which has over 330,000 hits and counting - showed Kapp attempting to give Mosca a flower as an apparent peace offering and Mosca rejecting the gesture with an expletive.

Kapp then shoved the flower in Mosca's face, prompting Mosca to attempt to shove it away with his hands. Kapp then swatted Mosca with the flower, and Mosca retaliated by swinging his cane and striking Kapp in the head. Kapp then landed a right hand to Mosca's jaw, followed by a left that felled the former defensive lineman.

"It wasn't a hard shot," Mosca said. "It's just that my legs aren't the best anymore."