Alstott's career highlights

THE MAN
NAME: Michael Joseph Alstott.
BORN: Dec.21, 1973.
FAMILY: He and wife Nicole have three children, son Griffin and daughters Hannah and Lexie.

TIMELINE
PRE-BUCS: After graduating from Joliet Catholic High, near Chicago, Alstott starred at Purdue, where he became the first Boilermaker named MVP in each of his final three seasons. He finished as Purdue's all-time leading rusher with 3,635 yards.
1996: Drafted by the Bucs in the second round, he enjoyed a phenomenal rookie season with 377 rushing yards and three TDs on 96 attempts, plus 557 receiving yards and three TDs on 65 catches. He was a first-alternate selection for the Pro Bowl, second team All-Pro and NFC Offensive Rookie of the Month in November.
1997: He started all 15 games in which he played, producing 843 total yards from scrimmage. He went to the first of six Pro Bowls as the NFC's leading vote-getter and
was named AP All-Pro.
1998: Played in consecutive Pro Bowls and received AP All-Pro honors.
1999: Started all 16 games, earning AP All-Pro honors and a third straight trip to the Pro Bowl after rushing for a career-best and team-high 949 yards on 242 carries and all of
Tampa Bay's seven rushing TDs.
2000: He earned a fourth consecutive trip to the Pro Bowl at fullback despite missing three games with a knee injury.
2001: He set a team record for offensive players with his fifth Pro Bowl appearance after starting 16 games, plus a playoff game at Philadelphia. His 11 total touchdowns was a personal best.
2002: Named to his sixth and final Pro Bowl, third straight as a starter, he played in all 16 regular season games with nine starts, plus three playoffs as the Bucs beat the Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII. In the postseason, he rushed 44 times for 100 yards and a team-high four touchdowns, and caught eight passes for 70 yards.
2003: He played in four games before being placed on injured reserve because of a neck injury that required surgery. At a tearful news conference, Alstott vowed to return to the Bucs in 2004.
2004: After receiving a clean bill of health, he returned to training camp and successfully participated in his first contact drill in 10 months. Already playing in a limited role, his season was interrupted by a knee injury that forced him to miss two games.
2005: Healthy for the first time in three years, he enjoyed a resurgence as the Bucs short-yardage and goalline running back. He also was effective catching passes as the Bucs enjoyed an 11-5 record and won the NFC South.
2006: Despite playing a limited role in a disappointing 4-12 season, he reached two important milestones. He recorded his 300th career reception, joining RB James Wilder and WR Mark Carrier as the only Bucs to reach that plateau, and surpassed 5,000 career rushing yards.

THIS AND THAT
Alstott is more than just a bruising runner. He also has returned a total of three kickoff returns, one each in his first three seasons, for 22 yards, including a long of 14. He also attempted two passes, though neither was complete.

THE DECADE CLUB
In the Bucs' 30 seasons, only nine players have played with the team for 10 seasons or more:

Dave Moore (1992-2001, 2004-06) 13
Paul Gruber (1988-99) 12
Derrick Brooks (1995-2006) 12
Mike Alstott (1996-2006) 11
John Lynch (1993-2003) 11
Tony Mayberry (1990-99) 10
Steve Wilson (1976-85) 10
Ronde Barber (1997-2006) 10
Shelton Quarles (1997-2006) 10

BUCS' ALL-TIME RUSHING YARDS
1. James Wilder (1981-89) 5,957
2. Mike Alstott (1996-06) 5,088
3. Warrick Dunn (1997-01) 4,200
4. Reggie Cobb (1990-93) 3,061
5. Ricky Bell (1977-81) 3,057
BUCS' ALL-TIME RECEPTIONS
1. James Wilder (1981-89) 430
2. Mark Carrier (1987-92) 321
3. Mike Alstott (1996-06) 305
4. Keyshawn Johnson (2000-03) 298
5. Kevin House (1980-86) 286
BUCS' ALL-TIME SCORING
1. Martin Gramatica (1999-04) 591
2. Michael Husted (1993-98) 502
3. Mike Alstott (1996-06) 432
4. Donald Igwebuike (1985-89) 416
5. James Wilder (1981-89) 276

(Times photo - Brendan Fitterer. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[STEPH SMITH]

I just want to say that Mike has had a PHENOMINAL career and deserves only the best. He is a family friend and a wonderful person in general. We wish Mike the best in all that he does and know that he will be a BUC for lifetime. Good Luck Mike and we Love you and the "GIRLS"!!