Alstott Allover?
(August 10, 2007)

Popular Tampa Bay running back Mike Alstott will miss the 2007 season and there are serious questions as to whether he will ever again put on a Buccaneers uniform. The reason for the announcement is the area in Alstott's neck that was previously injured, and subsequently fused in 2003, has an unacceptable stress level. He will be on injured reserve this season and only Mike Alstott can decide if he will try to return in 2008. The decision for this year, as Alstott said in yesterday's emotional press conference, "I guess one thing you don't mess with is the neck, huh?"

Mike Alstott Bio

Born: December 21, 1973 (Joliet, Illinois)

High School: Joliet Catholic High School

College: Purdue

Drafted: Second round, Tampa Bay, 1996

Mike Alstott lettered in both football and baseball in high school. Coming out of high school, he was a Parade All-America and Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year. From 1992 to 1995, Alstott attended Purdue University and was the only player to be named the team's most valuable player three times. His numerous school records include most career rushing yards (3,635), rushing yards in a season (1,436) and career touchdowns (42). As a sophomore he scored five touchdowns in a game at Minnesota and in his senior season had a record eight straight 100-yard games. He received a bachelors degree in business. The Buccaneers selected Alstott thirty-fifth overall in the 1996 NFL draft. In his rookie season, he set a team rookie record and lead the Bucs in receiving with 65 catches for 557 yards. Twice he lead the team in rushing (1999 and 2001) and he went to the Pro Bowl six straight seasons (1997-2002). Alstott and his wife Nicole live in St. Petersburg with a son and daughter. His community involvement includes the Mike Alstott Football Camp.

Alstott was a fan favorite and it is hard to believe we will not see him powering into the end zone this year. He has had numerous highlight reel runs in his eleven seasons in Tampa Bay. Some are surprised he played after the 2003 injury which required a cadaver bone be placed in his neck. But Alstott wants to play, as he said, "As a professional football player, you just can't grasp the situation of not being able to put the helmet on, put your jersey on and go out there and participate with your teammates."

By going on IR, Alstott will continue to paid his $1.5 million salary for this season. He plans on being around and maybe could go into coaching. "I have enough knowledge of this game and we have a mixture of young players and older players who I can really help. That's my role right now, and that's what I've got to accept. I understand."

Nicknamed the "A-Train," Alstott may be the most popular player in franchise history and he has some impressive career numbers. A Buccaneers record 71 touchdowns and second on the team's career rushing list at 5,088. He played 158 games, starting 137, with Tampa Bay. His career rushing stats: 1,359 carries for a 3.7 average and 58 touchdowns. His receiving stats are 305 receptions for 2,204 yards with 13 TDs.

From his days at Purdue, where he often trained by pushing and pulling a Jeep throughout the campus parking lot, Alstott always showed strong character and work ethic. He said yesterday, "I love this city of Tampa and I love the fans. But once again, I'm going to be around. I'm going to be a part of this football team. It's my team. It's Brooks' team. It's Ronde's team. We grew up in the organization, and we're going to turn this thing around together and win another Super Bowl, even if I can't put on a helmet this year."

It is a sad day in Tampa Bay. Those who know Alstott say he is truly undecided about playing again. He will be 34 in December and, especially after missing an entire season, it will be a difficult challenge to comeback. However, it may not have taken too much reading between lines to understand what he was saying at the press conference. "As far as what the future holds, I know there will be questions and stuff, career ending, but please understand there will be a later date for an announcement in that regards." Rephrase the question, "It's maybe something that's a block in my mind right now. I just have to cope with the situation at hand." Ask again, "I don't know. Right now I'm just trying to swallow this one. Just let me be right now while we figure this out."