Invariably, if you attend any Buccaneers home game, you’ll encounter pewter-clad fans donning jerseys of their favorite, hometown heroes, just as you would in any NFL stadium on any given Sunday around the county. In Tampa, without question, the most common jersey you’ll run into is that of Mike Alstott, who for some reason appears to have become a sort of cult hero in the Bay Area. In fact, at a game I attended earlier this season, the Bucs had the ball first-and-goal, about to score, and an ornery fan behind me shouted out “PUT IN ALSTOTT!!!” Never mind that Alstott sat out the entire 2007 season with a neck injury. Maybe he hadn’t gotten that memo. The “Put In Alstott” line at Raymond James has become akin to someone requesting that a band play “Free Bird” at your local dive bar.
But I digress.
Recently, Mike Alstott announced his retirement from the game of football due to the aforementioned, debilitating neck injury. And I wish him well. His off-the-field accomplishments in the Tampa Bay area are worthy of mention as the Michael Alstott Family Foundation has been extremely active in helping out local children in need. The A-Train was also significant part of the Buccaneers 2002-03 Super Bowl season, but let’s please keep things in perspective… so was Joe Jurevicious.
As a Buccaneers fan, I’m intrigued by the city’s love affair with Mike Alstott. Do they not remember the countless, timely fumbles or how they aptly christened him Mike “All-Drop?” Alstott boasts 23 career fumbles on 1359 career carries. That totals to a fumble every 59 attempts, not exactly Hall of Fame material. In comparison, Warrick Dunn who ran alongside Alstott for five years fumbled the ball every 124 carries. Yes, Dunn is a more elusive runner and yes, Alstott ran between the tackles more. But so did Jerome Bettis, a sure-fire HOFer, who by comparison only fumbled the ball once every 160 carries. Yet I get this sneaky su####ion, Raymond James Stadium will hang Alstott’s numbers in its rafters. The Bucs have retired only one number in their history, Lee Roy Selmon’s # 63. Does Alstott’s career warrant the same merit as 1979’s all-defensive player of the year? Does Alstott’s career even compare to what Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barder have contributed to the team over the years?
Yes, Mike Alstott is the leading all-time touchdown scorer for Tampa Bay, mainly because Dunn or other running backs would run the length of the field only to have the coaches then give the ball to the A-Train for the score (and the fantasy points). But does that justify Alstott’s near god-like status in Florida’s city by the bay? Derrick Brooks has been the foundation of what has consistently been among the top defenses in the league for over a decade and Alstott jerseys outnumber Brooks jerseys ten-to-one.
I’m not playing the race card, I promise. Or at least I think I’m not. Fans like who they like for whatever reasons, right or wrong, but I think we’re witnessing a little revisionist history with Mike Alstott. Can someone kindly explain Tampa Bay’s fascination with All Things Dropped? This is not a hate blog. I, for one, congratulate Mike Alstott for being a mainstay in the Tampa Bay community and for having a prosperous career with the Buccaneers. That doesn’t mean he needs to have his number retired.
Hey rev nice scribble, I think hes so loved is because he was a blue collar type of runner/guy. The every day Joe can relate to him. I agree with you on the Joe Jurevicious comment!
I've witnessed the same Tampa attraction to this man. He went about his business in a workmanlike manner and maybe there's something to that... You never heard a disparaging out of him or about him except maybe from Dunn (tongue in cheek) as he railed about Mike getting the ball on the goal line all the time. Alstott and his foundation are pretty high profile around the Bay... I guess I'd have to say that people look at him as a good person, something they'd like to be thought of or someone to point their children toward and say "Be like Mike"...
You're certainly right, the adulation doesn't equate to his on-field accomplishments...
He was well behaved, but he also never topped 1,000 in a season. He did get only over 1,000 all purpose yards in 1999, but didn't even top 1,000 all purpose in any other year (1998 he was 998 running and receiveing. He did have 8 return yards so technically he topped 1,000 All-purpose twice) and 2001 was the only year he had a ypg over 4 (4.1) I like him as a person no doubt, but there are many more deserving candidates for the HOF. Sorry Mike.
I'm waiting for one of those ornery Alstott fans to get on here, get in my face and call me crazy for disrespecting a local hero, but it appears I'm getting nothing but impartial observers.
Happy to do it, partially because it seems like 38 of his 58 rushing TD's came against the Vikings and probably 9 of his 13 receiving as well. He never threw for a touchdown against us though, (0 for 2 in his career when it comes to passing)
I also think his career Bucs touchdown mark is misleading in another respect. It's an expansion franchise that has traditionally been pretty poor with no scoring whatsoever. If Cadillac could ever stay healthy, that mark could go down in a matter of years.
Great article Rev. I live in Pinellas County and have never understood the adoration for Alstott. It's the same with Dungey. He didn't win anything.
I saw Mike having breakfast at the Cracker Barrel in Wesley Chapel once. Service broke down in the whole place as guests and cooks gaped around the corners to catch a view of him and half the waitresses were so smitten, they could not wait on their own tables. It was comical.
He is a fan favorite but doesn't rate the hall. I cannot argue against retiring his number though. I'm one of those guys who wants Johnny Pesky's #6 retired at the Fens.
When I watched Alstott play at Purdue, it struck me that his running style was that of a John Riggins; bull-style, straight ahead, take-no-prisoners attitude. He is a throwback to football at it's most primal, best man wins. Think that is one element that brings about the folk-hero status. Plus publicly, he was a quiet and classy gentleman.
Reverend Rhythm
As you very well know within the Tampa Bay market there's reverrence with regard to Alstott. But in many ways there was also indifference by Gruden and his coaching staff. That being said he's served the franchise well and he'll always be remembered.
Aside from whatever personal interaction those two shared, I also don't think that Gruden likes one-dimensional players on his roster, which Alstott clearly was.
Looking ahead Rev, there's a very good FB that'll be in the draft this year, Owen Schmitt out of West Virginia.
Remember West Virginia's QB and RB breaking free all the time? This guy was in there throwing blocks for them. He's about the same size as Alstott, maybe a little bigger, is a bulldozer of a blocker, appears to run better than Alstott and is a good receiver out of the backfield. I'd really like to see him on the Bucs. Maybe some of the Alstott love would go another direction!
Agreed, he is not Hall-of-Fame material. If they haven't retired someone like, Doug Williams number, don't know how Alstott could be honored that way. I would think they would consider Warren Sapp's, since he is effectively retired, just unannounced. But the Steelers and Redskins don't really retire numbers, either. Washington inducts them into a Ring-of-Honor that lines the rafters of the stadium. Pittsburgh doesn't re-use the numbers of those when they are inducted into the HOF.
Yeah, not that they've had a glorious history, but Lee Roy Selmon's tough company. They can't justify giving Alstott the nod just because he spent 12 years in the uniform.
Derrick Brooks, on the other hand, is a totally different story.
Rev...I have to admit I became a fan. (Sorry) I think it's mostly because he reminded me of Jerome Bettis...he loved to run in-between the tackles...he was also playing when there were so many other notable, and more flamboyant RB's, but for some reason, he stuck out. I didn't know about all those fumbles, but I do remember one thing...if it was 3rd and goal-to-go, Alstott ALWAYS scored.....he was good for it. Money in the bank.
Mike was a great white fullback. Not playing the race card at all either. But his coloe or species or whatever we are supposeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeo say shouldn't make him a shoe-in for the Hall. His stats are, plus what was his complete NFL history and accomplishments. If fumbles seem to pop up more that other things, he shouldn't even be considered.
I do like Mike Alstott. He was one bad dude ( From The Big 10)
Rev - like Lisa said...he was good for a touchdown or two even if Dunn did the majority of the work. I always looked for Alstott for a spot on my fantasy team...when I was involved in fantasy football. And what is this...a decent guy! There you have it.
HOF'er no...hang his number for Bucs fans to see. That's just reward.
I think the Hall is out. Retiring his number should even be questionable. The is great in the community, but numbers are retired for what you do on the field. You can honor Alstott in another way for his off the field actions.
Great write here Rev...
Was always a big Alstott fan... he was a Big Ten guy, a Purdue guy... where my bro went to school, so I grew up liking him... liking his style. He was a bull.. played hard, and too bad he had to struggle through injuries there late in his career... but still, he just was a likable player. Good stuff, later.
Actually, I've been looking for the Michigan basketball team. The good news: I found them.
The bad news: They were at Mr. Naismith's grave apologizing.
This is some Mi-T-Fine scribble Rev, if you would indulge me...
FREEBIRD!
There had to get that off my chest...I hear you on this one. He's a fullback not exactly the linchpin of most football teams...is this a by-product of fantasy football mentality? If you score touchdowns you must be valuable?
Well said.
We seem to be comparing Alstott to Bettis, Riggins etc. These were running backs. Alstott was a very productive FULLBACK.
He did not have the carries of a running back and he was brought in on goal line situations because he would flat out run people over. I think that was what people liked about Mike. He was a battering ram. He was Christian Okoye with more highlights.
When you compare him to fullbacks, he had a very good career. His name definitely belongs up on the stadium. Is he a Hall of Famer? Probably not. Does he deserve at least a look from some voters? I would say yes.........as a fullback.
Reverend Rhythm
One dimensional or not he was always there to pound the ball and get the much needed yards they wanted. With his departure it's not as if they've got someone that can carry the load ?
I hear too that the Falcons are going to get rid of Dunn ? So as such that could be a homecoming of sorts. 'cause knowing Gruden that's his usual take. 'cause it sure as hell ain't gonna happen with them trying to get 'Ocho Cinco'.
He wants to play for a 'winner' and the Bucs aren't just that as of yet.
I'm afraid the Garcia experiment is just a band-aid as well. The Bucs unfortunately have a long road ahead and Brooks only has a few years left in the tank.
Fortunately, they signed their most valuable asset to a long-term deal.... Monty Kiffen.
No I think that Mike Alstott does deserve to get his number retired. and yes the fans in Tampa Bay do remember the costly fumbles and certian times. You know what elses we remember more than that? Alstott moving a pile 5-10 yards into the endzone or Alstott catching a dump off and truck 2 guys and dragging another 4 for a first down in critical momments. He is also loved so much because of what he did in our community. He will always be remember for one thing more than anything though. The invincible man that ran everyone over and the man that no one could stop was suddenly stopped with a neck injury and I think that right then every bucs fan out there realized that no one is all powerful, even OUR all power Alstott.
Turn-ons: Gator national championships ; Sushi; NBA Playoffs; A Tribe Called Quest; Women; Jack Daniels; Women who drink Jack Daniels; Women who drink Jack Daniels while eating sushi; Women who dream of more Gator national championships while eating sushi and drinking Jack Daniels during basketball season, The Red Zone Report
Turn-offs: Waking up early; The inevitable media coverage Bobby Bowden will get when he finally retires; Drama; Prejudice; Chicken liver; Work of any sort
