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Forum: Your Thoughts On Alstott
Alstott’s Career Stats | Career Highlights
Looking Back: Alstott’s Road To Recovery (2004)
TAMPA - Bruce Allen announced that Mike Alstott has suffered an injury “severe enough” that he will be placed on injured reserve.
Alstott, whose career took a major hit during the second game of 2003 when he suffered a neck injury against Carolina and was placed on IR, confirmed he has suffered another injury to his neck.
Alstott vowed he would be around the team to help them out this year, but broke down in tears when he talked about how much he will miss playing.
‘’As a professional football player, you just can’t grasp the situation of not being able to put the helmet on and the jersey on,’’ he said.
Alstott made the decision after talking to Bucs team doctors, the doctor who performed his neck surgery and his family.
The announcement comes after Alstott missed a third consecutive day of workouts Thursday as the team prepared for its exhibition opener Friday against New England.
Alstott would not speculate whether he would be able to return after this season.
‘’That will be determined later,’’ he said.
Alstott had two vertebrae fused together in 2003, but said his recent neck problems are related to a ‘’new spot’’ and not the area that was previously injured.
‘’One thing you don’t mess with is the neck,’’ he said.
Alstott will undergo further tests to determine whether this new neck injury is career ending. He isn’t sure at which point in training camp his neck was injured.
‘’I was ready to go play this year,’’ he said. ‘’I was ready to play football.’’
Earlier today, Alstott was said to be missing workouts because of general soreness, and was seen dining Wednesday night at a Celebration restaurant.
Alstott, 33, has seen his role greatly diminished in recent seasons, a departure from his early career when he emerged as a perennial Pro Bowl player. In last season’s finale against Seattle at Raymond James Stadium, it was widely speculated that Alstott had played his last game. But in the offseason, Alstott agreed to a one-year contract and another shot.
Alstott has the franchise record (71) for total touchdowns and rushed for 5,088 career yards – second only to James Wilder’s 5,957. Alstott also had 305 career receptions and finished as the franchise’s third all-time pass-catcher.
What’s your favorite Alstott moment?
There are several possibilities.
In a 1997 regular-season game at Minnesota, Alstott had a 1-yard touchdown run that still shows up on NFL highlight tapes. He collided at the goal line with Vikings linebacker Peter Bercich, was knocked 3 yards backward, hopped away from another tackler, then pivoted, whirled and churned his legs while backing yet another defender helplessly into the end zone.
Former Bucs coach John McKay would later call it the best run he had ever seen in football.
Later that season, in Tampa Bay’s first playoff game in 15 seasons, Alstott’s thunderous 31-yard touchdown run put away a 20-10 victory against Detroit.
In the 1999 playoffs, Alstott’s 2-yard touchdown run was Tampa Bay’s first score in what ultimately became a 14-13 win against the Washington Redskins. But it was no ordinary 2-yard run as the official play-by-play account stated.
M. Alstott left end for 2 and touchdown, runs right, finds no hole, tries middle, bounce outside left for TD.
Alstott’s last major hurrah occurred during the 2005 season. With 58 seconds to play, the Bucs had pulled within one point of the Redskins. Go for the tie? After a procedure penalty pushed the ball one yard closer, Coach Jon Gruden opted for the victory. Alstott was sent over the top and got the clinching 2-point conversion for Tampa Bay’s 36-35 victory.
It was reminiscent of Alstott’s happier days, such as the 1998 season, when he rushed for 846 yards, and 1999, when he galloped for a career-high 949. ESPN’s Chris Berman took to saying, “You’re in good hands with Alstott,” as the crew often added their own sound effects during Alstott’s highlight runs.
Alstott has never gained 1,000 yards – the hallmark for a running back’s greatest accomplishment – but he never was a one-man show, either. He shared the workload with Errict Rhett, Warrick Dunn, Michael Pittman and Cadillac Williams.
“I work hard,” said Alstott, who listed John Riggins as his football role model, earlier in his career. “I’ve had a lot of criticism. You can’t do this, you can’t do that – but I still do it. I love working hard, being out there and trying to make things happen. I’m not a rah-rah guy, just someone who tries to inspire through my play.”
Alstott had the last of his seven career 100-yard games in 2002 – Gruden’s first season in Tampa Bay – and scored the team’s first touchdown during Super Bowl XXXVII.
Tribune staff writers Katherine Smith, Roy Cummings and Joey Johnston contributed to this report.
Posted by Steve, oldsmar on 08/09 at 01:52 PM
What a shame. Thank God they found this out before he took a bad hit and possibly got hurt worse. You will be missed #40!! God Bless…
Posted by Angela Baytlis, Tampa on 08/09 at 01:32 PM
Tampa Bay Loves You Mike !
Posted by Jackie Smith, Tampa on 08/09 at 01:31 PM
Shawn,
What is your problem? Jealous? Maybe you wife/girlfriend/boyfriend think that Mike Allstott is the hottest guy on earth. Well I do! I only watched games when Mike was playing. I will miss him. Oh! By the way, I named my English Bulldog after him.
Sorry your such a idiot!
Posted by Simon Ozer, Brandon Florida on 08/09 at 01:05 PM
Mike,
Your a “TOP SHELF” and “FIRST CLASS” kinda guy! Thank your for the fact that you always put out 100% of yourself no matter what! You always provided that extreme excitement we Buc Fans craved! I’m sure that no matter what you decide to do now, it will always be to the best of your ability!
Please remain in the Tampa Bay area cause we need good character people like you to stay here!
Posted by Jim Ingram, Tampa, FL on 08/09 at 01:01 PM
Evidently, Shawn does not realize how many TDs, Mike Alstott scored over 10 and 20 yards. An average player does not score over 70 TDs in an NFL career nor gains over 5,000 yards rushing in a career. The A-Train will be remembered as one of the all-time great Bucs.
Posted by Joe Dayan, Tampa on 08/09 at 12:58 PM
He will be missed. One of the all-time great Buccaneers!
Posted by Antonio Arreola, Covina California on 08/09 at 12:50 PM
Big Fan of the Buccaneers even a BIGGER FAN of MIKE ALSTOTT #40. Mike you will be truely missed. The Offense will be missing that unstoppable force. Good Luck
Posted by Ronnie Conrad, Clarkesville, Ga on 08/09 at 12:46 PM
Mike has been a class act while in the Tampa Bay area and a Tampa Bay Buc hopefully he will stay on and be part of the area.He has been a huge part of the Bucs and it’s time to move on and take care of his health and family. Hopefully, somewhere down the line he will continue to be part of the Bucs in some area. Now to those that bring in the race issue… get a life, gee whiz it’s football, so get over it. Shawn..... go back to the sponge docks and get your facts straight before you start popping off !
Posted by Doug, Tampa,Fl on 08/09 at 12:46 PM
What does Tony Dungy have to do with Mike Alstott? Last time I checked, Gruden was Bucs head coach. Shouldn’t he inform his coach rather than than the opposition?
Posted by James Raulerson, Clearwater on 08/09 at 12:36 PM
Mike brought that hard work, get the job done, no non-sense ethic to a team and area that needed it. He along with the great those other greats-Lynch, Brooks, Barber, Sapp. Rice- lead the team to a Super Bowl. Mike you might say was the symbol of the new Buccaneers. Not only did he do a great job on the field he did and still does do a great job off the field. Hard to believe that he will no longer be on the field. THANK YOU MR. ALSTOTT for the memories!
Posted by TOM PFALZ, KENNETH CITY, FL. on 08/09 at 12:35 PM
SHOCKED TO HEAR ABOUT MIKE RETIRING. THIS IS A DARK DAY IN TAMPA BAY. THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES MIKE & BEST OF LUCK TO YOU & YOUR FAMILY. HOPEFULLY YOU CAN FIND A COACHING JOB WITH THE BUCS. ITS A SHAME THAT COMMENTS LIKE SHAWNS ARE EVEN POSTED. WHAT A WASTE. I THINK THE FOOL HAS SPONGE FOR BRAINS.
Posted by Seth Kaufman, FT. LAUDERDALE FL on 08/09 at 12:35 PM
Shawn, you idiot you! Alstott scored many a touchdown before Williams was drafted and Pittman wore pewter. If you want evidence of his prowess from a non bias source just watch the top ten power backs special now playing on NFL network. Mike was ranked 10th on a list that included among others Czonka & Riggins. As Gruden said he is “an anvil”. (That’s a big piece of steel used for hammering Shawn). He will be missed. Shawn, I hear the Eagles need fans! Go BUCS!!!
Posted by Kim Mitchell, Plant City on 08/09 at 12:29 PM
Mike is an all-around good guy. I am really going to miss him. I’m so glad I got to see him in training last Saturday. Thanks, Mike, for all of the great memories, your loyalty to the Bucs through good and bad, and all of your contributions to the Tampa Bay community. As far as class is concerned, you rank right up there with Leroy Selmon. We will never forget you. Best of luck, A-Train!
Posted by Lori Rounds, Temple Terrace, FL on 08/09 at 12:28 PM
I wish Mike the best of luck in whatever he does. Very few athletes can achieve the status of being the heart beat of a city, not just a football team. Seems as though all the veterans are leaving or gone. At least we have Mr. Brooks and Mr. Barber. As a fan, I will miss Mike, but feel as tho I have been missing him for a while now since he wasn’t utilized as much as he could have been in the last couple seasons
Posted by Delores Flannery, Plant City on 08/09 at 12:27 PM
I am truely sad for this organization. He was a classy guy and did nothing but bring respect to football.True, he is not as healthy as he once was and now is a good time for him to move away from playing.Every year I find myself less and less interested in this Bucs team and I am a true fan from the beginning!!!!
Posted by Kenny Matthews, Bradenton Florida, U.S.A. on 08/09 at 12:24 PM
Its a sad day today in Buccaneer land! One of the great players in the franchise’s history will hang up his cleats today. There aren’t words in the English language to describe the quality of human being that will leave the Buccaneers. His leadership will be sorely missed. Mike was not only a great fullback, but an all round good guy. But this is football and life goes on.
I will miss hearing his name called on Sunday’s. The A-train whistle blowing and that always sincere smile. Best of luck in your future endeavors. You really are one class act. Godspeed.
Posted by Justin Lawrence, Palm Beach Gardens, FL on 08/09 at 12:17 PM
Shawn-what’s the point in coming on here to put down Alstott on his day of retirement when everyone is praising him. You’re an ignorant fool and I hope you hit your head on something today!
Mike,
We’re all gonna miss you bud! Thanks for your hardwork and overall positive influence on our organization, you are one of the main factors in our transformation into a truly special franchise. THANKS MIKE!
Posted by Jordon, Brandon on 08/09 at 12:10 PM
#40 was a special player. We will miss his bulldozing runs, his sure hands out of the backfield, his selflesness as a teammate, and his great heart!!
I hope Mike and his family will continue to call the bay area home because he is a wonderful ambassador for Tampa.
Happy trails, A-Train!!
Posted by Chris, Plant City on 08/09 at 12:10 PM
Best of luck to you Mike. Thanks for all your hard work. Take some time with your family, and have a great time.
Go to Busch Gardens
Posted by Chuck Goch, Palm Harbor on 08/09 at 12:07 PM
If Shawn is indeed black and a racist, and I don’t know that he is then Travis your his white counterpart and your a useless human being. Why not find an isolated island and take all your racist friends with you.
I do disagree with Shawn, Alstott was a Csonka style back, hit the line and get a yard or two and then blow a hole and get the big run or get hit and kept getting positive yards, he and the backs like him are a dying breed.
Posted by James R. Kinzer, 351 Winfield Ave. Winfield WV 25213 on 08/09 at 12:07 PM
I watched the NCAA Kick Off game Purdue vs WV played in NJ when Mike was a senior. His running desimated the Mounties. I knew then that he would be one of the NFL’s greats !! I guess that I am one or the Red Necks, (being from WV), that Shawn is talking about ! I really don’t care, maybe Shawn needs to do more Sponge Diving !!!!!!!
Posted by Anne Duncan, Valrico, Florida on 08/09 at 12:06 PM
Oh my, this is sad news indeed! Mike has always personified what the Bucs, during the Tony Dungy era, were all about. I’m sure it’s the right time for him, and I’m sure Nicole will be relieved, as he won’t be getting hurt on the field anymore. It’s just that a large part of the heart and soul of the Buccaneers goes with Mike; it only lives on in Ronde and Derrick now. Hopefully some of the newer players will give the team an identity the Tampa Bay area can be proud of in the future.
Posted by Marty Pittman, Panama City Beach, Florida on 08/09 at 12:04 PM
God Bless Mike Alstott !!!! Thanks for the memories, you will be missed.Good luck !!!
Posted by Diego McFly, Tampa on 08/09 at 12:01 PM
Edward St John said: “… fulfill his destiny as one of the greatest players of all time ...”.
Are you serious? You must be kidding. Alstott is/was a very good football player. However, he was nowhere NEAR one of the greatest. Average at best. Don’t get me wrong, he was a special guy and invaluable to the team and community ... I’m just keeping it real.
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Posted by Marvin Moore, Bloomington, Minnesota on 08/09 at 02:00 PM
We will miss seeing you i the lineup Mike. You are one of the great all time Bucs to have played. Thanks for the many highlights you have provided us, you will be sadly missed but as you have stated you don’t want to mess with the neck. Best of luck to you, hope to see that you stay with the Bucs orginization in some capacity.