Mike Alstott Tribute, Retire Jersey (#40), enshrine in 'Ring of Honor'

by JScott on Oct 21, 2008 9:00 AM EDT in News Comment 6 comments

This past Sunday the Tampa Bay Buccaneers saluted arguably their biggest fan favorite in FB Mike Alstott at halftime. Alstott‘s jersey wasn‘t retired at this event, but the Bucs did provide Mike with his original Bucs jersey (creamsicle) and his final Bucs jersey (red) framed (see below). Throughout the game video messages were played from celebrities and teammates honoring the A-Train. Here‘s Alstott on the recognition he received:

"To be able to come out here and thank the fans, it was a closure," Alstott said. "The fans have embraced me with such support and love and it's an unbelievable feeling to have 60,000-plus to go out there and do that," Alstott said. "I loved playing for them. It was an incredible feeling running out of that tunnel. It helped me to be a better player, and the reason I came to work every Sunday is to win in front of our fans because they deserved it." - Tampa Tribune

With Mike Alstott officially retired and given a well deserved tribute, it‘s time for the Bucs to finish the gesture by retiring Alstott‘s jersey and cementing his lore in the Bucs ‘Ring of Honor‘. All of which should take place next season. When, Where, and How can be figured out in the off-season, but at this point the gestures above should happen regardless…

As if his credentials bear repeating Alstott is Tampa‘s all-time touchdown leader and the franchise’s number two rushing leader (behind James Wilder). He finished his career with 7,372 all purpose yards accompanied by 71 touchdowns. He’s thirty-ninth All-Time for touchdowns in the NFL, he‘s also a six time Pro-Bowler and a three time All-Pro. Mike accomplished all of that while never being the feature back.

Aside from those statistical accolades Mike Alstott is synonymous for helping the Bucs become a winning franchise and helped them shed that losers mentality. He captivated audiences with his ’Never-Quit’ attitude and performances. ESPN’s Chris Berman coined the phrase ‘The Bucs were in good hands with Alstott’ and for good reason. During Alstott’s tenure with the Franchise his team went (93-83), sure no big deal, but consider the team’s previous ten years (54-121) that’s a bunch of losses. Alstott didn’t do it on his own, but he clearly put and left his stamp on this team. He cemented his legacy by paving the way to a 2002 Super Bowl Championship.

This isn’t a discussion about the NFL‘s Hall of Fame, this is strictly in regards to retiring Mike‘s (#40) jersey and enshrining him in the Bucs ‘Ring of Honor‘… So what have you? Vote in the poll below:

A side note about the picture above, you may have noticed that Alstott‘s creamsicle jersey has his name misspelled. That‘s no mistake. For the first two games of Mike‘s Rookie season in 1996 his last name was misspelled on his jersey ‘Alsott‘… unbelievable, huh?

Poll

Should the Bucs RETIRE FB Mike Alstott's Jersey and include him in the Franchise's 'Ring of Honor'?

Yes and Yes... He deserves the honor amongst others

96 votes

No and No, he's a fan favorite, but not worthy

4 votes

Retired Number Yes, Ring of Honor No

1 votes

Insanity, Mike ALSTOTT is the Buccaneers

9 votes

Retired Number No, Ring of Honor Yes

5 votes

115 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 6 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

No Brainer

J – Great Post.

I have come across some with differing opinions from me but from my perspective how could #40 not be retired. As mentioned above this not a discussion of the HOF (although I suspect that is coming) this is the TB BUCS retiring his jersey. I am glad to see the positive responses up to this point and would like to hear the perspective/justification of those that do not.

by angecorrado on Oct 21, 2008 5:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I have a slightly different perspective that doesn't have the option to vote for.

I think he shouldn’t have his number retired, but should be part of the Ring of Honor. I could see other big contributors like Selmon, Gruber, Brooks, Barber, Sapp, etc. being in the ring of honor with Alstott. But retired jerseys to me should be for the best of the best and in my mind there are only 2 of those…Selmon and Brooks. Not to take away from Alstott’s accomplishments, but I think not issuing a number again should be few and far between and to me Alstott was good and at times very good, but not as great as those 2.

by The Bull Gator on Oct 21, 2008 7:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

there you go brother

option number ‘5’ just for you!!

When will another fullback ever put up the numbers Mike Alstott did in a Buccaneers jersey? I could understand if we were discussing his accolades as a Running back, but at his position, he was pretty phenomenal not only for the Bucs, but for the NFL…

You’re a stats guy so i expect you to bring the heat, BUT let me say so long as either-or happens, I’ll be a pretty satisfied Bucs fan.

Buc 'Em Your SBNation Tampa Bay Bucs Blog where Dull Boys are not allowed!!

by JScott on Oct 21, 2008 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Woo hoo...

…someone else voted for it besides me.

I could go nuts on this but the Alstott the fullback vs. Alstott the running back debate has long been beaten to death. So I’ll just say this. He was not a true fullback. He didn’t put up all of those numbers lined up as your typical fullback. It was just that fullback was listed as his official position. Again this is not to take away from Alstott’s accomplishments at all, but he didn’t really do all he did as a true fullback. I just don’t want the Bucs to end up retiring too many numbers and take away from how great an honor that really is. It all depends on how they plan on doing it, but I think of 1. Retired Number 2. Ring of Honor in that order. But then again, I’m not making the decision. Basically I won’t be disappointed if #40 is retired, but I will still put #63 and #55 on a higher pedestal.

by The Bull Gator on Oct 21, 2008 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i would say

in response that Alstott was never the feature back and so his stats are even that more impressive, especially when you consider that the defense knew exactly what he was coming in for. He didnt use deception or athleticism (although he had it) to beat opposing defenses. He just dominated pure and simple… I’m with you on the holding Brooks and Selmon, to a lesser extent because i never saw him play, on a higher pedestal, because they played more demanding positions and played them at the highest possible level imaginable. In the end i feel Alstott had the entire package: The stats, the character (on and off the field), and the fan bases utmost respect. There isnt a single fan of this fan base that doesnt correlate Alstott with ‘The good years’

Should be interesting to see where the Franchise decides to take this…. i can’t wait!!!

Buc 'Em Your SBNation Tampa Bay Bucs Blog where Dull Boys are not allowed!!

by JScott on Oct 21, 2008 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let not forget

The non-stats duty that he performed so well, blocking (although he got better with time). I am sure that the O-Line teamates would concur that he helped make their jobs a bit easier. Dunn and Pittman certainly must appreciate the help he provided them.

Watching some of the highlights of his career at this weeks game, still sets me back as to how powerful this man was….those guys on the otherside of the line of scrimmage are in the NFL for a reason but somehow Mike just have his way at the most important times. I’m just glad I can say I watched him play.

by angecorrado on Oct 22, 2008 8:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs