When you talk about Tampa Bay Buccaneers legends, there are very few who can hold a candle to one particular legend. This is the guy who scored the first Super Bowl TD in the Bucs’ history. But that’s not all that he did. He also held the Bucs’ record of most TDs scored (71) all the way through to 2021. If you’re thinking WR, think again. This legend mowed down players like they were stick figures. But that was just one of the things he could do. The reason he got drafted as a second-round pick way back in 1996 was his abilities as a running fullback. We’re talking about the legendary, explosive man known as Mike Alstott.
“When he played with the older kids, he was so tough. He could keep up with them, and they couldn’t catch him. Everybody wanted Mikey on their team. He’s always been like this. That’s just Mikey.” These words, once spoken by Mike Alstott’s mother, Jeanne Alstott, speak volumes about what that kid brought to the league. No wonder he’s called “the last legendary fullback” of the NFL. He showed early signs of football genius growing up in Illinois. And that genius was clearly visible from 1996 all through 2007 for Tampa Bay. And even now, veteran players like Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman are in awe of what Alstott represented.
On the Dudes on Dudes podcast, Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman discussed the legendary players who made history as power runners. “Mount Rushmore of power runners” as Edelman called the segment. And Mike Alstott clearly made the cut. As Edelman put it, “What he did is he revolutionized the fullback position. It used to be the fullback usually used to just get a concussion every day because he had to hit a linebacker 10 times in a row full speed or the DTackle on a wham. – Mike Alstott literally revolutionized it.” So, how did that happen? With his footwork, of course. Edelman further added, “We’re like, ‘Hey, maybe we should give this big a– dude the ball on a short yardage play.’ Started doing that and then all of a sudden he starts running for f—— 55 yards, jumping over dudes, blowing people up.”
Julian Edelman’s verdict? “He’s the best running fullback of all time, I believe.” And even Rob Gronkowski was in agreement. Gronk added his own take, “If you had to describe a football player, what a football player does, that’s Mike Alstott. Just the way he had no fear.” Gronk even compared Alstott to a Jeep and said, “He’s a guy that looked like he could never juke a defender ever. Like he’s just going to run over an opponent, which he did on a daily basis. But then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, this guy had footwork that looked like a running back and he would juke a safety, a defensive back or a linebacker in the open field and go for an extra 15. It’s like, ‘oh, where did that footwork come from?’”
Both Gronk and Julian Edelman were all-in, remembering the highlight plays of Alstott. As Gronk put it, “If you want to get the chills, if you want to see what a true football player is, you want to get amped up, you watch one of the greatest highlight films of all time, and that’s Mike Alstott.” And even after the NFL, Alstott brought that same energy as the head coach of Northside Christian School (St. Petersburg, Florida). He even created an undefeated record with the team. But the NFL hasn’t left Alstott’s heart. Notably, he’s a big fan of a certain Tampa Bay QB. Who? Baker Mayfield, of course.
Mike Alstott’s still all-in for the Bucs
You can take the player out of the team, but you can’t keep the team out of the player. That’s exactly the drive with which Mike Alstott supports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He followed the last season with bated breath, and loved it, too. “I loved it. I thought they were exciting, played with a lot of passion, a lot of heart… I think that goes a long way for future-building. I really believe they have their nucleus in place.” The Bucs notably finished 10-7 last year, but that doesn’t diminish the performance Baker Mayfield produced last year. And Alstott’s all for it.
Aug 23, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) warms up before a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Talking about Baker Mayfield, Alstott said, “I’m a big fan of Baker. – Baker is just a gamer. He’s just a true gamer and oh, I love the guy. He’ll give up his body for the team and the first down and what not.” And it’s not just Baker Mayfield that’s caught the guy of this veteran. He’s even commending the Bucs’ spirit that fought through despite injuries. “Everybody stepped up and I love that type of mentality. That reminds [me] of when I was playing with [Tony] Dungy, ‘Next man up’… And it was like, ‘Hey, get’er done. It doesn’t matter who’s in.’”
As Tampa Bay looks forward to another explosive season, Mike Alstott’s eyes will be fixed on his old team, cheering them on. And knowing that the “last legendary fullback” is cheering for him from the sidelines, Baker Mayfield might just produce a career-best season. In the meantime, Edelman and Gronk can have fun imagining the scenarios where Alstott’s still in play. As Edelman put it, “He could play in any era. Any era. – He could play right now. He’d be great right now.”
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