A Look Back at a Legend: Mike Alstott
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers fullback Mike Alstott (40) pushes off San Francisco 49ers linebacker Lee Woodall (54) during the Bucs 13-6 win Sunday afternoon Aug. 31, 1997 in Tampa, Fla. Alstott carried the ball 14 times for 69 yards. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
With the 35th pick in the second round, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Mike Alstott out of Purdue. Super Bowl XXXVII winner, 6x pro-bowler(97-02), 3x all-pro(97-99). He would last 12 years all with Tampa Bay (1996-2007).
He finished his career with 7,372 yards through the air, 5,088 yards on the ground, along with 58 rushing TDs, 305 receptions for 2,284 yards, and 13 TDs. The Bucs got a battering ram in the form of a 6’1 248 lbs fullback, not only could he run over people, he showed in his first year that he can catch the ball. He caught 65 balls for 557 yards and 3 touchdowns.
1999 was his best year rushing with 949 yards, a 3.9 yard average, and 7 TDs. He and Warrick Dunn made it fun to be a Bucs fan. WD40 or thunder and lightning was the appropriate name for the duo. His most memorable moment, at least for me, was against the Redskins. With 58 seconds left, Jon Gruden decided to go for the two-point conversion. #40 rushed to the right barrelling over Redskins defenders to score the winning 2-point conversion making it a 36-35 victory.
Unfortunately, a collision with WR Joe Jurevicius in the 2003 season, began his neck issues, which lead to his retirement on January 24, 2008.
He is a member of Tampa’s Ring of Honor, which he received in 2015 effectively closing the book on one of Tampa’s greatest players ever.
