Record-setting ball to be bronzed

We asked Micheal Spurlock this afternoon whether he would mind being photographed with the ball he took 90 yards for the franchise's first kickoff-return touchdown.

He was more than happy to do it, but there's just one roadblock: Spurlock gave the ball to the team which plans to bronze it and place it on display at the team's headquarters.

It seems the same lobby where statues recently were constructed to pay tribute to some of the stars of the team's 2002 championship will soon have another piece of memorabilia. There also are plans to showcase the Lombardi championship trophy at some point, too. For now, it's in a very safe place that apparently no one has the security clearance to divulge.

Guess we won't be snapping that photo after all.

Comments

[Mike]

I don't understand why all this memorablila isn't displayed somewhere that the fans can see it? I know its benn mentioned before but why don't we have a ring of honor for past and present Buccaneers? The pride that the fans have in these things is at least as much as the players and staff has in them. Come on Glazer, give us something!

[Mike]

What would be cool too is when I am hiking all the way up to my seats in 335 to see displays and pictures of highlights in Buccaneer history. There is plenty of wall space!

[Jay]

I agree. There must be a Ring of Honor as well as a museum for all the past players. Mike Alstott, Warren Sapp, John Lynch and Hardy Nickerson will probably not make it into Canton, but the mark they've left on the franchise, and the communities, are immeasurable. They deserve to have their numbers retired and their accomplishments displayed for all the fans. If the Bucs ever want to honor their legacy, they can do so by remembering both the losing seasons, and the winning ones.

[Ron]

I agree about the ring of honor. It is overdue. my nominees for initial induction:

1) Lee Roy Selmon
2) John McKay
3) Paul Gruber
4) Ricky Bell
5) Hugh Culverhouse (Love him or hate him; without him, we have no team)

[Kurt Thoreson]

Doesn anyone remember the "Buccaneer Alumni Game" the team hosted last year vs Atlanta. It was the first time they associated themselves with the team's past. Was that just to get people's minds off of a 4-12 season, or will we see Doug Williams, Lee Roy Selmon, Jimmie Giles, and other appear at Raymond James Stadium ever again?

[Stephen_Holder]

There's definitely been an effort by the franchise to disassociate itself with the past. It's the reason the Glazers won't consider throwback uniforms even though a lot of people seem to be in favor of a throwback day. I understand their reasons for wanting to back away from much of what has happened in the past, but you can't go around pretending the franchise was born in 1996, either. I'll say this to those promoting a ring of honor: my childhood team was the Dolphins (insert joke here), and the Ring of Honor down there is like the Holy Grail. It's a really, really big deal. It would be cool to see that done here. And Ron: no Doug Williams? What about Hardy Nickerson?

[John P]

A ring of honor would be fantastic, and if I had the opportunity I'd put each of the following guys in it. They all were critical at one time or another, for different reasons, and all are/were upright citizens as well as great players (and a trio of coaches):

1. Lee Roy Selmon
2. Ricky Bell
3. James Wilder
4. John McKay
5. Jimmy Giles
6. Mark Cotney
7. Hardy Nickerson
8. Shelton Quarles
9. Warren Sapp
10. Mike Alstott
11. Paul Gruber
12. Derrick Brooks
13. John Lynch
14. Mike Washington
15. Doug Williams
16. Donnie Abraham
17. Ronde Barber
18. Joey Galloway
19. Mark Carrier
20. Hugh Green
21. Jon Gruden
22. Tony Dungy

[Jay]

Great list John. My only addition would be Shaun King, just because I'm a St. Pete Alum who played against him in high school, and he was the first to bring the Bucs to the playoffs in the Dungy era. I have a soft spot for local guys who make it big playing for the home team.

[Tom]

Good list John P. You know what would be funny? A Ring of Dishonor. We can add names like Jack Thompson, Broderick Thomas, Tim Wansley, Alvin Harper, Mike Shula, Charles McCrae, Jacquez Green, Reidel Anthony, Booker Reese, Bo Jackson, Bill Parcells, Rod Jones, Ray Perkins, Lars Tate, Keith McCants, Eric Curry, Demetrius DuBose, etc.

Looking back at the dark days of Tampa Bay, it makes you appreciate being on top of the division today.

[John P]

Good list of evil deeds, Tom. I'd add Leeman Bennett and Phil 'Freddy' Krueger to it as well. Lars did fall on his head and score a touchdown once, and in Alvin's defense he did get his finger tip cut off by a trainer, lol.

Rod 'Toast' Jones - a living human highlight reel. I can still see him stumbling down the sideline as Sterling Sharpe glided by for an 85 yard touchdown. 3 wasted picks in the first 28 selections of the '86 draft, and he was one of them.

[Tom]

Too funny, John P!! My worst Bucs memory was the season opener against the Chiefs when Joe Montana was their QB. It was a brutally hot day and the stadium ran out of ice. They were spraying us down with hoses to keep us cool. Of course, I always sat next to the fat guy with the hairy back sitting on those awful metal benches. We got destroyed by the Chiefs and I vowed never to go back to a Bucs game again. Well, I'm still a fan and season ticket holder.

[John P]

What about the all-time games of dishonor list?

My all time pain game has to be the 1987 St Louis Cardinals-Bucs game where the Bucs went in with a winning record, led the game 28-3 with 12 minutes left, and lost 31-28 on a 53 yard Iggy field goal that hit the cross bar as time expired. I can almost laugh about it now...almost. The Colts game from 2003 was nearly as bad, but at least they'd gotten a super bowl 8 months earlier.

[Stephen Blackehart]

It was always my understanding that it was the players who didn't want to do the throwback uniforms. I remember hearing during the Dungy era, how the idea was put to the team and guys like Alstott, Sapp, Brooks & Lynch (who had actually played in the old unis) vehemently opposed the idea, so it was shelved.

[Mike]

So with all this extra money the Glazers have from the Tampa Sports Authority (what is it $12 mill?) why can't we make this happen? It should be done before we host the Super Bowl.

[RICH]

The throwback uniforms would be cool nowadays since we`ve grown past all those dark seasons. I`d like to see us kick some tails with `ol BUCCO BRUCE AND ORANGE! Way cool and you know CHRIS BERMAN would show us on ESPN. As for the ring of honor, we must add KEVIN HOUSE,DAVE PEAR,MARK COTNEY,DONALD IGWEBUIKE,SCOTT BRANTLEY,MORRIS OWENS,JOE JUREVIOUS,JERRY ECKWOOD,ERVIN RANDLE,and of course DWIGHT SMITH. Why did they cut DWIGHT SMITH? What a SUPER-BOWL he had right?

[Danny]

Rich, incase you forgot Dwight Smith became a criminal threatening someone with a gun. Plus I think he was busted with a DUI or drug possession. Not exactly a model citizen or role model I would want on my team.

[Michael Singleton]

Jay,

You must be one of those Bucs fans that joined the bandwagon in 1999 because they were in the playoffs with Dilfer before King during the Dungy era. I think that Scott Brantley needs to be added to the list not only because of on the field but off the field. Don't forget about Gene Deckerhouf in the ring too. I turn down the tv and the Sirius up so that I can hear him call the game.

[ChangeYourHeadline!!!]

Exactly What Record Did Spurlock Set?

Who is Spurlock? Does he play for the Rays?

[Jay]

Michael,

I was in the Marines and didn't get back to St. Pete until after I got out in 98, so I suppose I'm still a late comer to the party. As for Gene Deckerhoff though, I couldn't agree more. I do the exact same thing (although I use the local broadcast).

Although I'm still trying to forget the Dilfer and Testeverde years.

[Fred Augat]

ring of honor is a very very short list....brooks and selmon.....for starters.....maybe alstott and ronde....but the ring is for only a very select few, otherwise it's honor is diminished.

[Paul]

Fred, I agree completely. You don't add every Buccaneer who had some quasi-success. The Ring should only be reserved for a select few. Selmon, Brooks, Paul Gruber, Doug Williams, Sapp, Brooks, Lynch, Barber, Alstott, Simeon Rice and Hardy Nickerson should all at least get consideration. As for non-players, that's highly debatable. Could you consider adding a coach who only has 6 years thus far with the team (Dungy, Gruden)? As for McKay, he was the first coach and a colorful and engaging man, but there was one NFC Championship game, a couple other playoff games, and a whole lot of futility. I would like to see the ROH just to see who makes the cut.....

[John P]

Dungy and Gruden would have to included along with McKay. Dungy's credentials, what he meant to this franchise during its darkest days - and the results he had are a slam dunk for him. Gruden took this team to the super bowl. Regardless of what has happened since, the man has a championship. That's the most difficult accomplishment to come by, and makes him a legend for all time - as far as the Bucs are concerned.

[DR]

Fred is on point. You don't create a ring of honor and let everybody join. You guys have more players in your ring of honor than the Cowboys do and the Cowboys have had many great successes throughout their franchise history.
Tom Landry is in the Ring of Honor and he was the Cowboys coach for 29 years, with 20 consecutive winning seasons, and was 2-3 in the Super Bowl. Jimmy Johnson had great success with the 'Boys and he isn't in the ROH. That said, Gruden and Dungy don't deserve it. C'mon, a coach with 3 winning seasons in 6 years deserves to be in the ROH, that's ridiculous!
Another thing, an active player should never be in the ROH. Some players will have to wait. Players have to be committed to the franchise. That eliminates some of your players in your lists. As much as I like Lynch, especially for his off field contributions, he shouldn't be in the ROH. Although, he would be my exception.
The Bucs don't have one because they don't have enough players worthy of the ROH honors. They don't want to have a lesser ROH than other teams so they have to live up to the standards set by better franchises.
players that are active right now that would have a great chance to make it: Brooks, Alstott, and Barber. Selmon is a shoe in, of course.

[FishPoison]

People you have to look back at the McKays and be 100% relieved that they are all finally out of this great organization, putting them in any type of ring of honor or such would be a slap in a true buc's fan. The McKays were a parasite on this organization for too many years and I for one am glad they are gone. As for Culverhouse if it wasn't for him we wouldn't have a team.....and if it wasn't for how cheap he was we would have had more championships!!!!!!!!!!!