Bucs ring of honor

The Bucs do not have a ring of honor at Raymond James Stadium. Maybe now with the retirement of Mike Alstott and Warren Sapp and other stars drawing close to the end of their careers (John Lynch and Derrick Brooks come to mind), the Bucs might need to start contemplating a ring of honor to celebrate the greatest players in franchise history.

What if they did have a ring of honor? Who would be on it? We took the question to you in a Times online poll. We asked which member of the organization should be first to go on the ring and we gave you 10 choices. We received more than 2,500 responses. Here are the results.

Lee Roy Selmon, DT, 1976-1985
1,436 votes, 56 percent
The overwhelming winner and no surprise, really. Still the only player to go into the Hall of Fame after spending all (or even most) of his career with the Bucs. And still the only player to have his number (63) retired. He remains the franchise’s all-time leader in career sacks (78.5).

Derrick Brooks, LB, 1995-present
320 votes, 12 percent2
A 10-time Pro Bowl player who made the game every year from 1997 to last season. A shoo-in for the Hall of Fame. When it's all said and done — and it appears as if a rejuvenated Brooks has a lot more to say and do — he likely will be known as the best football player in Bucs history, if he isn't already.

Tony Dungy, Coach, 1996-2007
219 votes, 9 percent
Isn't it interesting that a coach who didn't win a Super Bowl in Tampa Bay is more worthy for your ring of honor than a coach who did? Dungy took over, arguably, the worst franchise in the NFL and turned it into a perennial playoff team. The Bucs made the playoffs four times under Dungy. He never got to the big game but, as many of his backers will tell you, his team did.

Mike Alstott, FB, 1996-2007
213 votes, 9 percent
A true fan favorite, and one of the most beloved athletes in the history of Tampa Bay sports. He made the Pro Bowl six times and was named All-Pro four times. But forget all that. It was his bruising, straight-ahead, no-nonsense, take-a-hit-but-deliver-a-bigger-hit style that made him such a favorite. Two words perfectly describe Alstott: football player.

John Lynch, S, 1993-2003
77 votes, 3 percent
Intelligent. Good looks. Funny. Charismatic. Lynch is all of those things. Bucs fans always loved that about him. But what did they love most of all? His bone-crushing hits to ballcarriers who dared to run his way. What Alstott was to the Bucs offense, Lynch was to the defense. What stings around here is the guy keeps on ticking in Denver long after the Bucs thought his time was up.

Warrick Dunn, RB, 1997-2001
72 votes, 3 percent
Dunn's football ability is impressive: NFC offensive rookie of the year and two Pro Bowls with the Bucs. But it was his off-the-field efforts that earned such high respect. His foundation helps build homes for families with single parents and, to date, has helped nearly 50 single parents and more than 120 children.

Doug Williams, QB, 1978-82
69 votes, 3 percent
It seems like he should be higher on the list, don't you think? The first great quarterback in Bucs history. Heck, he still might be the best quarterback the Bucs have ever had. His greatest glory came after he left the Bucs and won a Super Bowl with Washington. Still, he led the young Bucs to their first three playoff appearances.

Warren Sapp, DT, 1995-2003
62 votes, 2 percent
Not exactly the friendliest fellow Bucs fans have ever known. But he was, perhaps, the most charming player in team history — in a scary sort of way. And, of course, he was a heck of a player. He made his first Pro Bowl in 1997 and made it every year after during his time with the Bucs. Sapp redefined the postition.

Jon Gruden, Coach, 2002-present
59 votes, 2 percent
Considering he remains the only Bucs coach to win a Super Bowl, you think he would get more love from the voting public. But Gruden seems to have a love-hate relationship with the fans. Those who love him love him because he has won. Those who hate him hate him because he is not Tony Dungy. Still, in six years, these are the facts: three playoff appearances and a Super Bowl title.

Ronde Barber, CB, 1997-present
46 votes, 2 percent
The Bucs' all-time interception leader is, along with Brooks, the mainstay of the defense that has to be considered among the greatest in league history. Holds the distinction of being the only cornerback in NFL history to record 20 interceptions and 20 sacks. In fact, only eight other players have accomplished that feat. His place on this list says less about Barber and more about how impressive the rest of the list is.

If it were up to me
There were plenty of names not included in the Times poll that deserve to be mentioned when considering a ring of honor. Names such as John McKay, Paul Gruber, Ricky Bell, Simeon Rice, Malcolm Glazer and Bill Capece. (Okay, I'm kidding with Bill Capece.) So, taking everything into account, here is whom I would nominate to become the Bucs’ first class of five to make the ring of honor.
Lee Roy Selmon: I agree with you.
Derrick Brooks: Best player in team history.
Mike Alstott: The heart and soul (and blood and sweat and guts) of the Bucs.
Doug Williams: The team's first real star.
Malcolm Glazer: Put together  a winner and got a swanky stadium built.
And, I can't leave him out, so I'm adding a sixth -- John McKay, who turned the worst expansion team in NFL history into a playoff team in only four years.

Comments

[Tom Callahan]

Don't forget James Wilder. He was a beast in the backfield. If he would have had an improved o-line, he might have been comparable to Walter Payton.

[Holly]

Lee Roy Selmon! He's an amazing man off the field...

[aj]

Jimmie "Jam" Jiles, Dave Logan, Ricky Reynolds, Bubba Grimes. Was Hugh Green around in Tampa long enough? James Wilder.

[Rick]

What about listing all the taxpayers on that ring of honor that had to pay for that stadium, and don't give a hoot about financing a professional sports franchise? What a stupid town that rejects a half cent sales tax for education and additional law enforcement in 1995, but as soon as they tack on a new stadium, the trailer park crowd couldn't be happier to vote "Yup" on it. I simply cannot wait until we get NASCAR here, too, what a contemporary, modern city we will be then!

[Scott]

After the tx, i never bought a ticket again. The Glasers can go to H$$!!.

But I am surprised to see that Ricky Bell's last name is not listed.

[CW]

Batman has to be on the ring! Richard Wood was, I think, one of the Bucs' all-time leading tacklers until Hardy Nickerson and DB came into the picture.

[CB]

What about Hardy Nickerson? Do we forget him so soon?

Tony Mayberry?

[Troy]

Brooks, Selmon and Alstott to start with. I also agree with the addition of Glazer(as a lifetime Bucs fan I remember all to well the days of Culverhouse). Rick, the last thing we need is another sales tax for education the last time we did that the school board promised they would be flush for decades... two years later they're begging again. More money is not the answer as it would only get swallowed up in the miasma that is the administration NEA etc without benefiting the students. At least with a stadium everyone who wants to buy a ticket gets immediate benefit from their contribution(As opposed as another Recaro desk chair or oriental rug for some worthless administrator)

[Jason A.]

HARDY NICKERSON!!!! One of the best middle linebackers we ever had! And why has Monte Kiffin's name not been brought up??

[Tingler]

Coach McKay, Wilder, & Gruber should be included.

[me]

Steve Young, he was the best QB the Bucs ever had.

[winslow freeman]

Paul Gruber, James Wilder, Jimmie Giles, and Kevin House should be at least part of this conversation. Maybe Jack Thompson...lol...just kidding on Thompson.

[Snook]

Dungy's "team" won the Super Bowl, eh?

That statement is so ridiculous. Funny how his 6 other teams couldn't.... WHILE HE WAS THERE.

[Tom Jones]

Snook, saying Gruden won with "Dungy's team'' was a tongue-in-cheek remark. I mean, isn't that always what Dungy backers say? I was merely passing along their overall sentiment, not my own. And it sort of referred to my question earlier in the post when I found it interesting that Dungy received way more votes than Gruden in this ring of honor thing.

[Prep Fan]

Don't forget about all those 10 loss seasons until Dungy showed up.

[Darren]

I think it would be bizarre to honor someone before they retired. Therefore add Lee Roy Selmon, Coach McKay, Doug Williams, and Mike Alstott to our ring of honor.

That said, make sure there is room to add Derrick Brooks and Monte Kiffin once it is appropriate. Plus we will need to give some serious consideration to Ronde Barber. I also think we may need to add Gruden to the waiting list - especially if the next Superbowl is a home game.

[Jimmy G.]

What about Mark Cotney, Jerry Eckwood,
Cecil Johnson,Dewey Selmon,Jimmy Dubose,Dave Pear,Rickey Bell.Paul Gruber,and Hugh Culverhouse for bringing the Bucs to Tampa!!!!Even though he was cheap......

[Don]

John McKay, Lee Roy Selmon, Paul Gruber, James Wilder, Warren Sapp and Mike Alstott

[John Klopfer]

What about Keyshawn or is it Meshawn Johnson. Just ask him, the Bucs would have never won a Superbowl without him.

[Jay]

I also think Monte Kiffin should be added to that list.

But if we're going with a Ring of Honor, we should also have the names of all the failures listed in the restrooms. A single name over each stall. Call them the Bowls Of Shame.

Of course the Kenyatta Walker stall would have a revolving door on it, would flush before you even sat down, and hold on to your clothes as you tried to get up.

[Tom Jones]

Jay, you're absolutely right. Monte Kiffin SHOULD be considered for a Bucs ring of honor. ... I think I'll leave the Kenyatta line alone!!

[Mark R.]

It seems most only recognize current or recent Bucs for this honor. Old Buc's deserving Ring of Honor consideration not metioned in the article would be:

JAMES WILDER -league record with 43 carries in a single game in '83 and 492 total carries in '84 (has since been broken). In that season J.W. rushed for over 1500 yards and added 85 receptions for 685 yards and holds the franchise record for career receptions with 430. This guy would have been a Hall of Famer had he played for another team.
HARDY NICKERSON- EL-Dragone! 4 time Pro-Bowler. Was the catalyst that brought the Tampa Defense into relevancy in the 90's. The quintessential Middle LB in the "Tampa 2" that could hit and cover in the secondary. A fan favorite and unquestioned team leader.
MARK CARRIER - Curious why he was left off of everyone's list. Holds Bucs single game receiving record with 212 yards in 1987 and the season yardage mark with over 1400 in 1989. Sure handed receiver that made big plays on bad teams.
DONNIE ABRAHAM - Had team record for Int's with 31 until it was broken by Rhonde Barber. Well known around the league as a top notch cover corner.
TONY MAYBERRY - 3 time Pro-Bowler. After becoming the starter in 1991, he never missed a start until his retirement in 1999. Aside from Gruber probably our best O-Lineman to date.
JIMMIE GILES - 4 time Pro-Bowler and the best tight end in Buc history.
KEYSHAWN JOHNSON - more of a recent Buc, but undoubtedly the best talent at receiver ever.