Alstott indicates career likely is over

Bucs fullback Mike Alstott hasn't formally announced anything yet, but he indicated on a local radio show Wednesday morning his playing career is over.

Asked about his future while promoting a charity event on WDAE 620-AM, Alstott made it clear he has no plans to undergo a second neck operation in order to play next season.

"I guess you can read between the lines,'' Alstott said. "Couple neck injuries. I have a young family and a life to live, so I can't be selfish in that regard and say, 'Hey, let me go get some type of surgery or something like that and try to fix the thing and go on.

''I'm having fun doing what I'm doing right now with some other activities I'm involved with -- hanging out with family, being a part of my kids' lives in an everyday aspect.''

Asked if a second operation would make it possible for him to resume his playing career, Alstott said, "it wouldn't be worth it.''

During a tearful news conference in August, Alstott announced that he had suffered a second neck injury that would force him to go on injured reserve, ending his season. He stopped short of saying that the injury could end his 12-year career with the Bucs.

Alstott, 33, had a compressed disc removed and replaced with the vertebrae from a cadaver in 2003. A titanium plate was used to fuse it together.

He said a battery of tests this past fall revealed there was stress to his neck above the previously injured area. Pittsburgh nuerosurgeon Dr. Joe Maroon, who performed Alstott's first surgery, advised him not to play. 

After consulting with team trainers, doctors, his family, general manager Bruce Allen and coach Jon Gruden, Alstott agreed the best course of action was for him to be placed on injured reserve.

-- Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer

(Pictured: While holding his daughter Hannah, Mike Alstott blows a kiss to the crowd gathered in the south endzone tunnel while leaving the field after the Bucs loss to the Seahawks in August. Times photo - James Borchuck. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[Andrew]

So sad to lose such a great asset. We will miss you.

[Tim]

There should never be another #40 in a Bucs uniform... Mike Alstott will forever BE #40.He IS the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
We have had a lot of really good men play for us.. good in the sense of team good.. community good... media good... Mike Alstott is one of the best...

[Tim]

Mike is top dollar, good luck to you sir.

[james busch]

They need to retire his #40 cuz there will never b another #40, c ya mike, The A-Train has left the station, Well miss u.....

[Geoff]

I would like to see him come back for one more year, provided he's medically fit. If (God willing) Gruden is out, another coach would utilize him in the offense. Favre was considered shot too. One more year Mike!

[JR]

Family and health come before career. He made the right choice.

[Chet]

I would really like to see him come back next season as the RB coach. Wonder if this is part of the plan when they had him on the sideline all of the season.

[Dana]

Undoubtedly the most beloved player in Bucs history and such a source of pride for all of us that have followed this team for so long. I'll miss #40 on the field as much as the rest of the fans, but I'm hopeful that in the near future, he'll be on the Tampa Bay sideline in a coaching capacity where he will continue to lead and inspire.
We love you Mike!

[Uncle]

And the 2nd most over rated player in Bucs history hangs up the cleats.

[Kevin]

It's good to see him WALK away on his own terms. If the Bucs don't hire him in a coaching capacity, then I hope they hire him in a community relations role. Retiring # 40 would be the classy thing to do, but I don't know if Gruden/Allen can rise to that level of class! God Bless the A-Train!

[Shelly]

I hate to see you go Mike, but family is first! You are doing the right thing. And he's definitely good on the eyes!!!! This man is soooooo fine! Wheww!

[Jon, Rochester, MN]

The only players who should definately have their jersey's retired are Selmon and Brooks. Sapp is VERY close and if he gets HOF then retire his too.

I don't see any other Bucs getting their Jersey retired.

[Kyle]

I'm going to miss watching the Bucs throw Alsott a short pass in the flats on 3rd and 9, and watching him run over and drag 3 or 4 defenders for a first down. His 71 TD's are BY FAR the most any Buccaneer has ever scored. I really hope that he ends up in the Hall of Fame, where he belongs. Good Decision to retire Mike - but we're going to miss you!

[JL]

It's about freaking time!!

Geez...the Bucs should have traded him back when he had some value...'bout 4 years ago!

[me]

He has not been the same back since the late '90's. He never could correct his fumbling problem. In his final game against Seattle he fumbled inside the Bucs 20 and cost them the game.

[bucgirl]

Aside from being an amazing football player, Alstott is complete class act. He is who every NFL player should aspire to be like. Thank you for all you have given us, #40!!! We will always love you!

[Todd]

MIke has to do what is right for himself and his family first. The Bucs would be foolish to not utilize Mike in some capacity. There is no doubt in my mind that the # 40 jersey will be retired at the beginning of next season if Mike does not return. In the words of Bob Hope....Thanks for the memories ! you will be missed.

[Phil J.]

There should be a petition somewhere to retire #40. There will never be another Mike Alstott. C'mon Glazers, do the right thing! Then retire #47 next. That's another story.

[Chris]

Hey "Me", Mike has the lowest funmble to Carry ratio out of any RB/FB in the past ten years, get over the fumble thing, it was way overblown.
Good luck to Mike in his retirement. Spending time with family is much more important than risking further injury.

[DR]

If Daryl Johnstan is not in the HOF, than Alstott should NOT be either. He was not a true FB because his blocking skills were subpar. If you classify him as a HB, he has no shot. He's a Buccaneers Hall of Fame but the the NFL's HOF.
Retiring after two consecutive neck injuries isn't really walking away from the game. Walking away from the game is what Tiki Barber, Rob Smith, and Warren Sapp is now doing. I'd say John Elway, but he didn't walk too far since he just had knee replacement surgery.
Being a fan favorite doesn't put you in the HOF. In that case, they should retire Lynch's number before Alstott's.

[DR]

Johnston, whoops

[Perry]

Great guy, good player. But, in all fairness, he clings on and on and on. And on and on and on. Enough already, just retire!

[Derrick]

Asides from the ignorance that always finds it's way into our fan base (re: perry, Uncle, etc.), Mike is and always will be a major part of the 'Good' Buccaneer years. Any misserable fan can recollect the small bad statistics he had (so has any other NFL RB/FB) but his positives far outweigh those numbers. Bottom line he helped us win a lot of football games. Last time I checked onle Wins and Losses counted. So pay respect to someone that made Bucs history a bright spot.

[Reality]

Fumblestott is gone:( Sad day.

[spice]

Mike is a womanizer that cheats on his wife just like John Lynch.Poor Mike boo hoo

[Jb]

mike,gruden never used your size or position to tampa's advantage,he let you rust on the sidelines,you take care of yourself and your family,(they will always be there for you),unlike the bucs.I met you 7yrs ago and talked to you several times,u-are-the-man and always will be,later

[Bob]

Spice, If I was just reading your post, like an average fan, I would think you were full of it. But seven or eight years ago I was at 1509 in Ybor with my wife and Alstot kept gtabing my wifes butt and trying to pick her up. He was with Dunn and Dunn was a perfect gentleman, Alstot was a complete jerk her obviously couldn't handle his booze. My buddies stopped me from getting my butt kicked as I am sure Alstot would have put a whooping on me. Then five years ago the same thing happened at one of the boxing matches at ala carte pavilion. Alstot may have been a great player on the field and helped many charities, but he was no gentleman. I'm sure there are others with these type of stories out there.

John Lynch was a womanizer??

And I MISSED that?

*runs from room crying*

[john]

Mike,

Our whole family has met you and are proud of your accomplishments. You are a shining star on the BUCS. Leave on the highest note you can. You are thinking straight...you have a family and they need you. Good Luck Buddy!!

[j.k.]

Hey DR,
If he doesn't play for the Cowboys he can't be in the hall of fame? Give me and everyone else a break and move to Dallas and quit pretending to being interested in the Bucs.

[ryan callahan]

i will miss mike. hopefully he stays with the organization as a coach, maybe the running backs coach.

[Bob]

Many years ago my young son and I would play table tennis. Those of you who have played it know that occasionally a hard shot will hit the top of the net, seem to bounce back a bit, but then defy the laws of physics, reverse itself, and crawl over the net for the point. My son and I called that shot "an Alstott". All the best to you... we've been blessed to share the quality of your character on and off the field.

[Johnny Longall]

From Buffalo, Mike Alstott is one of the finest individuals to represent the NFL and all of sport. He is a great role model and I for one had no problem with my two sons wanting matching #40 Bucs Jerseys. Too bad there are not more players with his integrity. Good Luck Mike.

j.k., just because he played on one of the worst organizations that has no history of great players, doesn't mean he deserves to be in the hall of fame. Was Alstott a great player? Absolutely. He ran hard. He played hard. But he wasn't one of the best RBs in his time and he wasn't one of the best FBs of his time. If you're not one of the best in your era, you can't be in the HOF. Dunn's best seasons were in ATL, not behind Alstott. Tampa never had a top RB when Alstott was their FB. Alstott was a FB, with weak blocking skills, who got the ball more often than any other FB in the league. That's not HOF.
My friend is a bartender and he said Alstott was a stiff when it came to tips, treated the wait staff like crap, and was a d-head toward the ladies.

-DR

[TZ]

I'm from Mike's hometown in Joliet Illinois and he has A Great following here. Hey Mike tell these a holes that run you down to go f themselves. Good Luck to you and your Family. Go Hilltoppers!! In case you don't know that's where Mike went to Hight School, The 11 time State champs Joliet Catholic!!

[Pete]

TZ, obviously you never brought your wife or girlfriend around "hound dog" Alstott. If you did and she was a half way decent looking girl, your opinion of him would be different. Bob, count me in as one of the people who have witnessed his bad manners first hand.

[Bill Freeman]

If your career is over I want you to remember that you will have a great many fans that always be thankful for the job you did and the excitement you created. I am only one of them. Thank You and have a wonderful life.