Alstott goes out in style

Mike Alstott with his wife Nicole, son Griffin and daughters Hannah and Lexi. [Photo by Daniel Wallace, Times]

Mike Alstott always got the tough yards for his teammates.

On Saturday night, they responded by helping him take the final step away from the game he loved.

The Bucs hosted a lavish retirement party for Alstott in the west club lounge of Raymond James Stadium.

It was an invitation only, black tie affair that a simple lunchpail guy like Alstott had warmed up to.

What struck you was this: the running back who scatttered tacklers like bowling pins always had a way of bringing his team together.

This was no exception.

They came from every corner of the country to honor the end of Alstott's 12-year career that included six Pro Bowls, one Super Bowl title and 71 touchdowns.

Tony Dungy, Rod Marinelli, Mike Shula, John Lynch, Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, Warrick Dunn, Brad Johnson, Dexter Jackson, Trent Dilfer, Ronde Barber, Lorenzo Neal, Joe Jurevicius, Simeon Rice, Booger McFarland -- all of them and hundreds more were on hand Saturday to honor Alstott.

No. 40 photos lined the dining hall. A 15-minute highlight film was followed by former Bucs tight end Dave Moore, Alstott's closest friend, offering a champagne toast.

The arrival of taped tributes - from ESPN's Chris Berman, former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman to Miss Nevada and Subway's Jared -- were signalled by the blaring of the trademark train horn, now silenced forever.

Alstott was overwhelmed, frankly.

Dungy, who drafted Alstott in the second round from Purdue in 1996, said he had been to the retirement parties of Hall of Fame players and nothing ever eclipsed this sendoff arranged by the Glazer family.

"I was blessed to coach Mike Alstott," Dungy said.

The highlight of the player tributes was Sapp, Brooks and Lynch sharing their memories of Alstott at the podium together.

Brooks and Lynch spoke of how they learned early in their careers not to ever hit the A-train in practice.

"That's what we call a clavicle buster,'' Chiefs coach Herm Edwards told Lynch one day in practice.

Sapp said he considered Alstott 'family,' and recounted how his pre-game routine always ended with him head-butting Alstott. "Because I had Brooks and Lynch and he had nobody,'' Sapp said.

In case you're wondering, yes, Bucs coach Jon Gruden attended the gala. He did not speak. As one member of the organization put it, it was probably appropriate since Alstott was seldom used as a runner during six seasons under Gruden.

Credit the Glazer family for helping to organize the event.

Alstott's retirement has been inevitable since training camp when he re-injured his neck for the second time in his career.

But it was hard to say good-bye. "I look at that picture of him running the football and I just can't believe that we'll never see that again," said Alstott's brother, Mark.

Get used to it. Sapp is retired. Lynch plans to play one more year for the Broncos. Barber and Brooks are knocking on the door.

But for one special night, they came together to celebrate the career of Alstott.

"Everyone here helped my dreams come true,'' Alstott said.

Comments

[Jon]

Glazers should throw another party for Sapp.

[Jay]

I really wish I could have seen all that. Mike has been my favorite player for quite a long time, and to have the Glazers let him go out like that would have been an event of a lifetime. You're lucky to have been there.

[JScott]

Nice recap Stephen!!

[Stephen Holder]

JScott: thanks for the kudos, but this was Rick's post. I wasn't there unfortunately.

[Joe Simmons (Slow Joe)]

All those players and coaches in the same room...brings back some great memories. Glad they did it in style. Thanks for the post!

[Janie Finck]

As a huge Tampa Bay Bucs fan and just a fan of the game of football I can say without a doubt that Mike Alstott will be missed by everyone . He was a football players player !! He embodies all that is right and good with the game & a wonderful role model for the kids that watch on Sundays. I for one will miss his presence on the field and the sidelines very much and want to thank him for all the memories he gave me and wish him all the best as he begins this new phase of his life.

[Rich McKay]

I was the one who made all this happen, damn Gruden for running me out. What happened to my invitation Jon, get lost down the toilet somehow?

[Kurt]

Nope, not McKay; that was Wyche's baby...and what a great pick it turned out to be. Forever will he be my selection as the best short yardage back to play the game. No stopping the A-Train...no sir. He should be in the HOF one day just for uniqueness in the game. His memories will live forever in the hearts of all Buccaneer fans. I don't think that the swipe at Gruden was very appropriate though and I don't think Holder would have brought a negative light to such a positive gathering. Of course Gruden was invited; he's the friggin' coach that kept him on the roster long after he should have retired! I think they should start sending you to these functions Stephen; you are far and above the most balanced writer on staff. We need to rid the paper of these negative McKay leftovers, especially considering the great job the current regime has done.

[JB]

Classless as always.. Ian Beckels wears a HAT in the photo... Take off your hat when inside IAN.. learn some manners

Kurt, Didn't you read the article, Dungy was the coach of the Bucs when Alstott was drafted, not Wyche. McCay was also the GM for two tears when they drafted Alstott. I know everyone loves to dog out McKay, for good reason I suspect, but give credit where credit is due. McKay and Dungy were responsible for Alsott, Wyche was long gone and had NOTHING to do with it.

[Don Mott]

What a lot of good memories Mike left us with! To see the amount of current and ex-players and coaches attending is just a testament to the love and respect Mike commanded as a Buccaneer. It is a good thing he retired but it is also a sad thing, especially on third and goal. It is time for the Glazers to create the circle of honor for guys like Selmon, Sapp, Alstott and the future retirees like Brooks and Barber. These guys helped the Bucs become a winning team and they should be immortalized and not forgotten.

[Dan from Richmond]

classy move for a classy guy he will be missed

[DR]

Kurt, Gruden kept him on the roster? Gruden should have played him more, but he's too much of an idiot to realize that Alstott had a lot left and a lot to offer. Hopefully Gruden won't be around for Brooks retirement party, Gruden doesn't deserve to be in the same room with such greats.
Gruden should attend retirement parties for great players he has helped mentor and develop, but wait, there is no such player in the league.

[jason]

That's awesome! Great job Glazers.
Mike deserved it! I can't wait for the ceremony they give him at a game this year. I truely think they need to retirer #40. No one else could ever fill that jersey in quite the same way.
We'll miss you Mike!!

[frank c. costanza]

What'd Mr. Glazer have to say?

[Kurt]

My bad; Wyche drafted Sapp, Lynch and Brooks, not Alstott. He was not long-gone, however, as Alstott was drafted the year after he left (a couple of months removed actually.)

DR; I believe Gruden was the one that led the Bucs to a SB victory and 3 division title in 6 years. I also believe you stated the Bucs would go 4-12 and that E Graham wasn't a good running back last year only to be humbled; just like your Cowgirls. You think that you are some kind of football guru, but you always seem to be getting b@@tchslapped by Skylar and Aaron and Tom because you really don't know much about football at all if I recall correctly. So why don't you get on your bicycle and bring me my pizza already dammit!!!

[Skylar]

Well, I can't argue that.

[Tom]

True that! Lot's a b@@tchslappin' been handed down to DR.

[Aaron]

After you're done bringing Kurt his pizza, you better be on your way over here! Don't forget that it's skull night beeotch!

[Tony G]

"In case you're wondering, yes, Bucs coach Jon Gruden attended the gala. He did not speak. As one member of the organization put it, it was probably appropriate since Alstott was seldom used as a runner during six seasons under Gruden."
...and who would that have been Rick? The same guy that told Duemig the bucs were sold? You are an idiot for repeating comments that have no merit. When was the last time you sat down and actually did some homework?

[Michael]

DR, you are the idiot, not Gruden. I love Mike Alstott, dont get me wrong, but he just didnt have the same ability he did in the past. Look at it this way. The 2002 Super Bowl season, look at the stats Alstott put up. Not the best of his career, but certainly not that bad. And the following year, he was on pace to do atleast as well, but got injured. Ever since, Alstott wasnt the same. Sure, he could run a guy or two over, but only for short runs. Gruden probably could have cut him, but he kept him, and tried to use him the best way he could. And look at it this way. In the 2006 game in Cleveland, Alstott had 22 carries for 56 yards, against a BAD Cleveland defense. Only 2.5 yards per carry, with a long run of 8? And its not like the Bucs couldnt run block that day. Pittman had 16 carries for 86 yards, a 5.4 yard per carry average. Pittman also scored a touchdown in that game. Oh yeah, thats they guy I want to have as my feature back!! Why not give the ball to a guy with a low yards per carry average, over someone who has a much better yards per carry average.

[Sharon]

DR will you please move to Indianapolis already...

[BF]

Any chance the party was videotaped? Alstott's fans would love to hear some of the reminiscing from Sapp, Lynch and the others plus the tributes from Berman, Aikman and Jared!? Rumblin', stumblin', the A-Train could...go...all...the...way!

[Rich McKay]

Stroud, way to put that little no speech by Gruden comment in there like I told you too. Now, find out what Jon did with my ticket, I know Mike would have wanted me there just as much as I know you wanted me there. Me and you, and you and me...lalalalalala...I miss you Stroud

Rich McKay

[DR]

That's right, the Bucs were a strong 9-7 last year and it showed how strong they were in the playoffs. The Bucs were overachievers last year and thats NOT a compliment to their coach, but a compliment to their easy schedule and easy division. When you win 8 games against teams WITHOUT winning records, you are NOT a good team!
LOOK at the talent on the team and please tell me what you see besides NOTHING!
The MVP of the team last year was an undrafted RB who Gruden IGNORED the entire time he was here and was forced to play even though EG outplayed every RB in the preseason.
Great job by a moron who has accomplished nothing since his hand-me-down Super Bowl team. .500 record as Bucs coach, that's F'N TERRIBLE!

[Kurt]

Really DR, nobody cares what you say. You're always wrong, so we just kind of laugh and make you look stupid. How do you live with yourself? Oh yeah, I guess stupid people don't really know they're actually stupid do they? Oh well, keep saying that "the most accomplished coach for his age ever" is a bad coach; I mean it makes perfectly good sense. Let's see: 9 seasons as a head coach; 6 division championships, 3 conference championship appearances and 1 SB win. Hmmm, that's really bad isn't it? And quit using that tired statement about how he took somebody else's team to the SB: he played his old team dipsh#t! How moronic can you be? Didn't your Cowboys get it handed to them after a bye just like we did by the same team? What kind of an achievement would you call that? I cant' wait to see the Bucs put the screws to Dallas this year, but not because of you DR!!!

[Jeff]

Great player, even better person. Thanks for everything, Mike!