Mike Alstott Will Call It a Career

Longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneer running back Mike Alstott is expected to announce his retirement this week. In related news, ESPN's Chris Berman was seen shedding a tear over the fact that he won't be able to make nearly as many mouth explosion noises while doing NFL highlights this year.

Of course, those noises were because of Alstott's run-'em-over style. Throughout his 11-year career, Alstott developed a reputation for running over any would-be tackler and letting nothing deter him from the end zone. He also has a spot in the Fantasy Football Hall of Fame for stealing touchdowns from other running backs. Warrick Dunn might indeed have more career touchdowns if not for this man.

Alstott wanted to play one more year, but like Mike Minter in Carolina, his body told him he couldn't play at a high enough level anymore. Plus, he had fallen out of favor with Jon Gruden and wasn't expected to see much playing time this year. Alstott will retire with 5,088 career rushing yards and 72 TDs. Not too shabby.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

8-09-2007 @ 2:44PM

Jan Collum said...

There are a number of "faces of the Bucs" from the 2002 Super Bowl win: Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, John Lynch, Shelton Quarles. But the "heart" of the Bucs for us hometown fans has always been Mike Alstott. All Mike had to do was walk onto the field and the stadium belonged to him. Mike, I can't tell you how very much we will miss you. I know, for me, a Bucs game will never hold the same magic again. We love you and we wish you and your family all the best in whatever you want to do. Please do us a favor though, don't go too far from football, because each time we see you, our hearts will go back to all the joy we had in watching you from year to year. There will never bee another Mike Alstott!