The A-Train hangs it up.
Mike Alstott officialy retired from the NFL after 12 years, saying with his recently reinjured neck it would be unfair to his family if he risked his health playing football for another season. Alstott was a throwback to the old days of the NFL. Drafted in the 2nd round of the 1996 Draft out of Purdue University by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Alstott played all 12 seasons with the Buccaneers, begin selected to the Pro Bowl 6 times, and earning a Super Bowl ring in Super Bowl XXXVII. Alstott was prehaps the most popular Buccaneer in the teams history. In 12 seasons, he rushed for 5,088 yards, second on the Bucs' career list. He also caught 305 passes for 2,284 yards and 13 TDs. Alstott's greatest moment at least in my mind is placing his name on top of Buccaneer lore by scoring the 1st Super Bowl touchdown in team history, Alstott had an impressive performance in the game, rushing for 154 yards and a touchdown, the first one in that game. He also caught 5 passes for 43 yards. Along with wife Nicole, formed the Mike Alstott Family Foundation in 2007. Alstott truly was an All-Pro, on and off the field. You will be missed.
On a personal note I am not a Buccaneers fan and have never claimed to be. I watched Super Bowl XXXVII from my college dorm room and realized I was witnessing one of the greatest moments in sports history. The Buccaneers won that game 48-21 over the Oakland Raiders. It was more meaningful that this Patriots undefeated season from my viewpoint as the Patriots now expect greatness, but that game for the Buccaneers was the completion of a historic turnaround from laughing stock of the league to world champions. I cheered my ass off for them that game and felt proud for the team, the franchise as a whole and for the city of Tampa.
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