Alstott to be honored Sunday

Former Pro Bowl fullback Mike Alstott will be honored at halftime when the Bucs host the Seattle Seahawks in a nationally televised game Sunday night, the team announced in a news release.

The game will begin with a special nighttime flyover prior to kickoff. All fans will receive a Mike Alstott commemorative gate giveaway, and there will be special halftime ceremonies.

Alstott retired in January after 12 seasons with the Bucs. He was a key component in turning the franchise into a perennial contender. He owns club records for most touchdowns scored (71), most rushing touchdowns (58) and most Pro Bowl appearances by an offensive player (6).

In addition to being the face of the franchise on the field, Alstott has been heavily involved with local charities, including the Children's Cancer Center, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, The Joshua and Special Olympics.

In the 2007 offseason, he and his wife Nicole formed the Mike Alstott Family Foundation with the goal of assisting in the uplifting of the minds, hearts and spirits of families and children on their way to realizing their full potential through various events, assistance programs and celebrations.

What they're saying about Alstott

ESPN Personality Chris Berman
"Mike Alstott was a throwback warrior disguised as a modern day player. His passion for football and his sheer joy of just playing the game will long be remembered. There is no question that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were truly in "Good Hands with' Alstott."

Buccaneers Linebacker Derrick Brooks
"First of all, I want to congratulate Mike on the wonderful career as a football player, being his teammate and also a fan of his. He truly embodied the Buccaneer way of doing things on and off the field. He was a lead-by-example type of leader and always gained respect from his peers on our team as well as around the NFL. I'm proud of the fact that not only are we friends, but we're business partners. I look forward to us having even more success together away from football. Finally, I think Mike has made the most important impact of all as he cemented his legacy in our community. His foundation as well as private matters, he helped turn Tampa as well as St. Pete into a better place for our children. Whether it was his golf tournament, his fishing tournament, his softball tournament, he's always trying to make a difference. I hate to see the A-Train getting off the track, but in my mind, he's getting off the track in one piece. As hard as he has run the football and as many hits as he's taken, I'm very proud of the fact that he's getting out of this game and being able to walk around, play with his kids and enjoy his wife. I know it was a very hard decision to come to, but I thank God that he has made the decision and stuck with it."

Former Buccaneers Quarterback Trent Dilfer
"Mike Alstott is a great talent. He was a three-tier fullback. Mike was obviously a great ball carrier. He could have played solely tailback, and did play tailback for many games. He was a very good fullback from a lead-blocking standpoint. Then he was one of the best natural receiving backs in all of football. We weren't a very talented football team in those days, but if it wasn't for him and his versatility - he really started and ended what we were offensively. He was just one of the great football players that I've been fortunate to play with throughout my career."

Former Buccaneers Head Coach Tony Dungy
"Mike was just such a special person and a special player for me because he was in our first draft class and was so instrumental in being part of that group that got it turned around for the Buccaneers. The way he played, as well as the big plays he made, but I think the fire and the determination that he played with, the things that made him such a fan favorite, are the same things that I always appreciated about him. He practiced hard, he played hard and he was just a total team guy.
There were so many spectacular three and four-yard runs that ended up being big plays for us and big touchdowns, but I guess the play that I will always remember was the touchdown he scored against Detroit in 1997 in our first playoff win to ice the game. It was so symbolic of Mike, a run up the middle, breaking three tackles and then having the speed to take it all the way. It really showed all of the things that he could do. It was a big play in a big game for us, but it seemed like he always made big plays in big games.
He is one of the best players and one of the best people that I've ever been around. I am happy for him that he had such a great career and just wish him the best in his retirement. He is definitely one special person in my eyes."

Former Buccaneers Running Back Warrick Dunn
"I wish Mike all the best in the next phase of his life. He had a career that anyone would be proud of. I was blessed to have played with him for five years."
Former Buccaneers Tackle Paul Gruber
"I think there are a few things that come to mind when I think of Mike Alstott; one is as an offensive lineman, he was a guy that you loved to block for. He always just gave that extra effort and made things happen especially around the goal line that you wouldn't expect. Also, the thing is that as an offensive lineman, you like to wear teams down and it was always fun to see what a strong runner he was in the fourth quarter, and just how he punished people. It would get to a point in the game where most teams didn't want to tackle him anymore."

Buccaneers Head Coach Jon Gruden
"I have been fortunate to coach long enough to be around some truly special players and Mike Alstott certainly fits into that category. His contributions on the field and in the locker room were invaluable to our Super Bowl championship in 2002. Certainly as a coach, but even more so as a fan of his, it will be tough for me to not be able to watch him on Sundays. His passion for the game was contagious and he will most definitely be missed."

Former Buccaneers Quarterback Brad Johnson
"I absolutely loved playing with Mike. He was a great closer in the fourth quarter of games and so many times, we would just hand him the ball and let him do the work. I remember a really hot day against Cleveland in 2002 when we handed off the ball to him and nobody blocked anybody. He must have ran over nine guys, just one of his signature plays. He had a career of always making something happen when nothing was there. He has been a great friend to me, and the Buccaneers and all of football will miss him."

Sports Illustrated Writer Peter King
"To me, Mike Alstott has always epitomized what the NFL is about. He's gotten to a Pro Bowl level through hard work and diligence and being a team guy. And he's a good and normal person who doesn't know he's a famous guy because he treats people right. A Pro Bowler and a good person--that's a good way to be thought of by your peers and your public."

Former Buccaneers Safety John Lynch
"I think in many ways Mike Alstott embodied the transformation of the organization with the way he played and the style in which he played. In 1996, we drafted this young kid from Purdue and he helped turn this franchise from perennial losers to a championship team.
His name was often overlooked when you spoke of the leaders on the team because he was a quiet kid. But the way he lifted the entire stadium and the entire sideline with his play truly showed why he was one of the leaders. I remember that none of the defensive guys would ever want to sit down on the bench when our offense had the ball because we would want to see how many guys he would run over.
Mike always put the team first and was a great, great teammate. It was truly an honor to have played with him."

Former Buccaneers Center Tony Mayberry
"He really did have a genuine enthusiasm for the game. You would think a guy like that who gets smashed around on people would be more hyped up, but he wasn't, he was relaxed and just happy to be in the huddle. He would ask if everybody else was enjoying the moment as much as him, things like that. In a game-time situation where there is a lot of tension, that kind of attitude is very reassuring because as bad as it is, you should be having fun because you're playing a game, and I enjoyed that about him. That's the main thing I remember other than his physical nature and his punishing style of running. He was just happy, like he enjoyed being out there and probably that there was no other place for him that he wanted to be."

Former Buccaneers Tight End Dave Moore
"The first thing that comes to mind when you think about Mike is: WOW he got to do it all!! He has gone to Pro Bowls, the Playoffs, the Super Bowl, signed big contracts and was able to do it all with the Buccaneers. This is all a credit to Mike as a player and a teammate. He was always willing to do what was best for the team and that enabled him to play his entire career in Tampa.
Mike and I spent many offseasons working hard getting ready for camp. In my opinion, you can judge an NFL player by his dedication to the game in the offseason, when no one is watching. I can assure you that Mike was not going to be outworked at any time or by anyone. He took the game of football very serious and was always ready to work. It was a privilege to play with Mike!"

Former Buccaneers Defensive Tackle Warren Sapp
"I remember every time you lined up with him, every time you went to practice with him, every time you saw him in a meeting. He was the last person I touched before I walked onto the football field. His play over the years stands by itself, in a league by itself. The kid played real good ball for a long time and you could always count on him. The time and the memories I have of Mike Alstott are so great that I don't even consider him a teammate. I consider Mike Alstott family."

Buccaneers Center John Wade
"It was an honor to be a teammate of Mike's. It was fun to get to know him as a player and a person. On the field, his combination of power, agility and vision were second-to-none, and off the field, he is a great father and husband and a positive figure in the community. He had a great career and I've been lucky to see some of the big plays he has made and I'll always have visions of Mike running over people when his name is mentioned."

Last stop for the A-Train

The Bucs honored fullback Mike Alstott, one of the most popular players in team history, during a news conference today announcing his retirement after a historic 12-year career.

A visibly emotional Alstott said he had dreamed of becoming a professional football player since childhood. "It's hard to stand in front of you today and say that dream is over,'' he said.

Alstott, a second-round draft pick out of Purdue in 1996, was known for his love of the game and punishing running style. He leaves the game as the Bucs' all-time leader in touchdowns (71) and rushing touchdowns (65). He made six Pro Bowls.

"This is a tribute to a great football player, but a better person,'' general manager Bruce Allen said.

Alstott was joined on the dais in the team meeting room at One Buc Place by Allen, coach Jon Gruden, executive vice president Bryan Glazer and Alstott's wife, Nicole. Alstott's No. 40 was draped dramatically over the podium.

"All I can do is celebrate a great career, an unbelieveable career, as a player and a teammate,'' Gruden said.

Alstott indicated the second neck injury that he suffered in training camp would prevent him from playing football again. He spent this season on injured reserve but still traveled with the team and was on the sidelines during games.

He said discussions are ongoing that will allow him to remain part of the Bucs' organization.

Many of Alstott's teammates attended the announcement, including Ronde Barber, Michael Pittman, Anthony Becht and Chris Hovan. Bryan Glazer presented Nicole Alstott with 40 red roses.

Glazer said since 1990, only 17 of the 7,325 players in the NFL during that span played more than 11 years with the same team.

"It's an amazing figure for an amazing man,'' Glazer said.

Alstott fought to hold back tears and his voice broke three times during an emotional farewell speech in which he thanked his coaches, teammates and numerous members of the organization - past and present - who helped him during his celebrated career.

Among the coaches he thanked was Tony Dungy, who along with former general manager Rich McKay drafted Alstott in the second round out of Purdue in 1996.

“It all started with Coach Dungy, who brought me into this organization as a young player,'' Alstott said.
"I was honored to be able to be coached by a man who not only gave us football wisdom but also taught us great life lessons, someone who gave us guidance, someone who took us under his wing. We were able to look up to him as a father figure and I continue to look up to him this day.''

With a core of players like Derrick Brooks, Barber, Warren Sapp, John Lynch, Hardy Nickerson and Warrick Dunn, Alstott helped turn around the fortunes of a franchise that had 12 double-digit losing seasons into a perennial playoff contender that reached the NFC Championship game in 1999 with Dungy and won Super Bowl XXXVII in Jon Gruden's first season.

"Together, we put the Buccaneers on the map,'' Alstott said. "The relationships with these guys is something that can never be taken away from me.

"Even though I will not be able to be in the locker room or on that gridiron,'' he said, fighting back tears, ""with these guys again, our families will remain close, our relationships will remain strong.''

Known for his battering ram running style, Alstott always has been a fan favorite for his blue collar work ethic and the crowd erupted whenever they heard the horn calling for the A-Train.

“To the city of Tampa and all the Buccaneers fans, thank you,'' Alstott said. "My appreciation for you is truly can’t be expressed. Your love and support over the past 12 years has been second to none. When we went on that field on Sundays, we weren’t just playing for ourselves, we were playing for you.

"And although I will never experience the feeling of running out of the tunnel and hearing the roar of the crowd,'' he said with his voice breaking, "and the train horn, the memories you’ve given me will be forever. Thank you again for allowing me to call Tampa Bay my home.''

Alstott thanked his wife for supporting his career, calling her,  ''my best friend.''

He also got emotional when speaking to his three children and was grateful they were able to share in his career.

"I feel so fortunate to be a father and have my kids experience my career,'' Alstott said. ""They see me as daddy. (Crying). Not a professional football player. Biting lip. They’ve kept me grounded my whole career. At the end of the day, nothing is better than getting home to them and having their hugs and kisses allow me to forget all the day’s stresses associated with football.''

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.)

Are Bucs better without Alstott?

Are the Bucs better at fullback without Mike Alstott? John Romano poses the question in a column in today's Times. While neither can replace Alstott's toughness and determination, Michael Pittman has a blend of speed, power and hands that could make him an unusual commodity at fullback, and B.J. Askew could be the answer in short-yardage situations if Pittman struggles as a human battering ram, Romano writes. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments area below.

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

What they're saying

"I've sustained another injury to my neck ... It's a situation where I'm on injured reserve for the rest of the year, and as far as what holds in the future ... there will be a further date announcement.''

-- Bucs fullback Mike Alstott

"I was ready to play football this year. I was ready to play football, and my mind was set.''

-- Alstott

"'I can't' -- these aren't words in a professional athlete's vocabulary. When you have to make a decision and say words to that effect, it's emotional.''

-- Alstott

“I've always enjoyed the way he played. He played it hard and he played it right. I had him on my fantasy team a couple years ago. He was an old-fashioned fullback, the kind of guy the NFL used to be built around. I wish him well, and hopefully we'll see him at more Rays games now.’’

-- Devil Rays manager Joe Maddon

"Mike is one of the guys I looked up to when I was young. I used to watch him at Purdue. He's a great guy and his work ethic is just unrivaled. And I've never seen anyone who was so loved by a group of fans. At Florida, I mean, we had Danny Wuerffel and they loved him. But that was nothing like Mike and the fans.''

-- Bucs running back Earnest Graham
 
I remember when I came into this organization. I was just a little undrafted free agent and nobody knew if I would even make it. But he was the guy who took me under his wing and really looked out for me. A lot of (prominent) players wouldn’t do that. I’m just grateful to him for that. He’s special.

-- Graham

"Mike is the guy who showed me what to expect when I was a rookie and was nervous before games. We got real close when I first got here.''

-- Bucs wide receiver Michael Clayton

 
"When I think about Mike, I can just see him out there catching that ball and fighting for yards. I wasn't around when he had some of his greatest runs, but there are so many memories. The guy is just no holds barred all the time. He's not going to be denied, and the fans love to see that.''

-- Clayton

"We have to pick up the slack. He's a key player on our football team.

-- Bucs general manager Bruce Allen

(Times photo: James Borchuck. Click to enlarge.)

Alstott on IR with new neck injury

A tearful Mike Alstott said Thursday he has suffered another neck injury that will force him to go on injured reserve, ending his season.

But Alstott 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.

Alstott said a battery of tests revealed there is 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. 

"I was ready to play football this year,'' Alstott said fighting tears. "I was ready to play football. and my mind was set on playing this game and helping this team and doing what I had to do. It's not like I went out there and the body wasn't working for me. Camp was going great, the team was doing great. I was playing well.

"But some things in life don't allow you do things sometimes.''

Alstott said his body suffered the usual soreness after 10 days of training camp. But he experienced pain in his neck that wouldn't subside. He missed three days of practice before the team called a 2 p.m. news conference Thursday.

"There wasn't just one particular situation,'' Alstott said. "Just soreness through the whole body and fighting through it. But the rest of the body wasn't as sore as the neck was ... we got further tests and here it is right now.''

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. Alstott said further surgery was not an option.

"Yesterday was the final straw, after I spoke with Dr. Maroon, my surgeon from Pittsburgh after we came to a conclusion of the whole situation,'' Alstott said. 

However, the injury will likely end the career of the six-time Pro Bowl player.

In an emotional news conference that lasted about 25 minutes, Alstott steadfastly refused to discuss his future. He signed a one-year contract worth $1.5-million, meaning he will be a free agent at the end of the '07 season.

"I'm on I.R. for the rest of the year,'' Alstott said. "As far as what the future holds ... I know there will be questions and stuff, career-ending, what it may be. But please, understand there will be a further date, an announcement in those regards.

"The facts are the facts. I can't put on a helmet or a jersey this year. When you tell someone, or make the decision as a whole, it's just hard to grasp right now.''

Alstott said he plans to remain around the Bucs this season, offering his support to teammates.

"I guess one thing, you don't mess with the neck, huh?'' Alstott said. "There's always situations that can be worsened by playing.

"I can't. That's not a word in a professional athlete's vocabulary. When you have to make a decision and say something to that effect, it's emotional.''

Alstott has contemplated retirement at the end of each of the past two seasons before signing a series of one-year deals. But he insisted Thursday he's not prepared to consider whether the latest injury could end his career.

"It's maybe something that's a block in my mind right now and I don't want to think about that,'' Alsttot said. ""I've just got to cope with the situation at hand and focus on what we as a team have to get done. I'm being truthful here.

'I've been here for 12 years now. I'm telling you I wanted to play football this year. I was capable enough to play football and I was going to do everything in my power to help this team. And I can't. But I'm going to be here.''

(Times photo - Bill Serne. Click to enlarge.)

Vote for your favorite Alstott play

Mike Alstott
Which was his best play?
His right-middle-left, 2-yard touchdown run against the Redskins in 2000
His 2-yard TD run to open the scoring in Super Bowl XXXVII
His 19-yard run in which he  sheds Corey Fuller and  breaks tackles of Earl Holmes, Dwayne Rudd against the Browns in 2002
His 2-yard plunge into the end zone for the winning two-point conversion against the Redskins in 2005
His career-long 47-yard  scoring run against the Falcons in 1997

Alstott's top five plays

Jan. 15, 2000
The box score read as if it was nothing special:

Alstott 2-yard run.

But anyone who saw it will tell you that not only was it one of the best runs in Bucs history, it might be one of the best runs in NFL history. From north to south, it was 2 yards. But Alstott seemingly ran miles to get into the end zone in this playoff game against the Redskins.

Taking a handoff from Shaun King, the 260-pound fullback rumbled to his right and spun out of tackles by Derek Smith and Marco Coleman. He reversed field and tried the middle, but was met by James Francis. So Alstott bolted left, where Ndukwe Kalu was waiting for him.

Alstott easily shed that tackle and cruised into the end zone to spark the Bucs' come-from-behind 14-13 victory.

Humble as always, Alstott said, "They did a good job stretching the play, forcing it outside, forcing it outside, and there was nothing there. I tried cutting it up so I wouldn't lose any yardage, and they didn't wrap up. I kept on breaking tackles, breaking tackles, and I just looked backside and there it was."

Jan. 26, 2003

Again, it's Alstott's trademark, the phrase that should probably be engraved on his tombstone:
Alstott 2-yard run.

But again, this is not just another 2-yard run. It was a 2-yard run into history. It was the Bucs' first-ever Super Bowl touchdown. How fitting. Probably the best-loved player in franchise history will forever be in the books as scoring the Bucs' first touchdown in a Super Bowl. And how fitting that it was ... a 2-yard run.

Nov. 13, 2005

In the official statistics, Alstott doesn't even get credit for this 2-yard plunge into the end zone. He doesn't get credit for a carry. He doesn't get credit in his final statistics for these two yards. But, naturally, there seems to be nothing ordinary about the A-Train rumbling into the end zone.

With only 58 seconds left and the Bucs having just scored to cut a Washington Redskins lead to 35-34, coach Jon Gruden makes the daring decision to go for two. Everyone in the stadium is expecting the ball to go to Alstott.

And even though "everybody" includes the Washington defense, Alstott cannot be denied. He busts through the wall waiting for him at the line of scrimmage and bowls his way in to give the Bucs a 36-35 victory.

Oct. 13, 2002

The Alstott aficianados will tell you this is the greatest run of Alstott's career. It wasn't a touchdown. It came during a relatively easy 17-3 victory. But it was the epitome of Alstott's bulldog mentality and bulldozer style.

With the Bucs at their own 32, Alstott takes a handoff from Brad Johnson and is nearly tripped up by Cleveland linebacker Earl Holmes. As he keeps moving, Alstott is hit under the left shoulder by Corey Fuller, who slides down Alstott's body, as Times staff writer Rick Stroud described, as if he was "sliding down a firefighter's pole."

Fuller grabs Alstott's ankle, forcing Alstott to hop twice and break free. Next, he is hit by Dwayne Rudd. Holmes rises to his feet, hits Alstott and it looks like the play is over. But Alstott somehow stays inches above the ground by propping himself up with his left arm.

Bang, bang, bang, three more Browns take shots at Alstott. He drags several players and is finally hauled down at the 49. The remarkable run lasts a mere 13 seconds, but gains 19 yards during which Alstott was hit nine times by six defenders.

Nov. 9, 1997

The funny part is we barely remember this play. But you have to include it because this 47-yard run against the Falcons was the longest in Alstott's career. But you know, come to think of it, maybe it shouldn't surprise us that this run is not etched into our memory banks.

For us, Alstott blazing his way down the field untouched is not how we remember the A-Train. Those in Tampa Bay will remember Alstott lumbering through piles, bouncing off tacklers, carrying defenders on his back like they're kids at a picnic and scoring a touchdown. Usually from 2 yards out.

-- Tom Jones, Times staff writer

(Times photo - Bill Serne. Click to enlarge.)

Share your favorite memories

Bucs fullback Mike Alstott was placed on injured reserve today, ending his season and perhaps his career. If he does choose to retire after 12 seasons, Alstott will finish his career as the Bucs' all-time leader in total touchdowns with 71 and in rushing touchdowns with 58. He is the team's second all-time leading rusher with 5,088 yards and third in scoring with 432 points, the first non-kicker to surpass 400 points. But it is his punishing running style and down-to-earth personality that has endeared the A-Train to many fans. Share your favorite memories of the A-Train in the comments area below.

(Times photo - Carrie Pratt. Click to enlarge.)