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Bucs To Unveil Ring Of Honor, Wear Throwbacks In 2009

Tampa Bay LB Derrick Brooks is the only player on the Bucs' current roster to have worn the team's old uniforms, which were replaced after the 1996 season (Getty)

Tampa Bay LB Derrick Brooks is the only player on the Bucs' current roster to have worn the team's old uniforms, which were replaced after the 1996 season (Getty)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will unveil a Ring of Honor and wear throwback jerseys for at least one game in 2009 in honor of the 30th anniversary of the 1979 Bucs team, which came within one win of reaching the Super Bowl. Plus, the latest injury news from One Buc Place.



 

The Buccaneers are set to honor fullback Mike Alstott in a special halftime ceremony at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday night, but the team's celebration of former players won't stop there.

Tampa Bay will unveil a Ring of Honor and wear throwback jerseys for at least one game in 2009 in honor of the 30th anniversary of the 1979 Bucs team, which came within one win of reaching the Super Bowl.

The Bucs 1979 team went 10-6 under head coach John McKay and lost to the Rams in the NFC Championship Game, 9-0. Tampa Bay did not get back to the NFC Championship Game again until 1999.

Tampa Bay linebacker Derrick Brooks is the only active player on the Bucs roster to have worn the orange and white jerseys, which were replaced with the red and pewter uniforms the team wears today in 1997. The 10-time Pro Bowler has been an advocate of a Ring of Honor and wearing the throwback uniforms. Needless to say, he was pleased that the Glazers are honoring and recognizing the franchise's tradition.

"Well deserved, I was excited to [hear] that," said Brooks. "I can understand them waiting for 30 years after the first successful season of our franchise in 1979," said Brooks. "With that tie into it. I'm grateful enough that I'll be around to see it happen."

Bucs running back Warrick Dunn joined the NFL and Bucs in 1997, which was the same year the team did away with the Bucco Bruce logo and uniforms and introduced their current red and pewter uniforms. Although he's not a huge fan of the orange and white colors, Dunn said the concept behind wearing the throwbacks is what really matters.

"You wear them to pay homage to the guys that came before you," said Dunn. "That's what I would do and I think any other player would feel the same way. Brooks played in it and he didn't look too bad. I'm sure it will be nice, maybe a little different. I think it will be cool to wear once."

While open to the idea of honoring some of the Buccaneer greats like Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon and Alstott, some players weren't crazy about notion of wearing the old uniforms next year.

"We will cross that bridge when we get there," said Bucs quarterback Luke McCown, who will become a free agent next year. "Everybody likes the throwbacks around the league, but it's a little different when you talk about the old creamsicle throwbacks. I guess it would be okay for just one game, or maybe just a walk-thru."

Although the Bucs haven't sported the orange and white uniforms since 1996, some of the team's younger players still remember watching Tampa Bay play in them and are open to the idea of wearing throwbacks for a game or two.

"I think it would be exciting to wear those," said Bucs second-year safety Sabby Piscitelli. "There's a lot of tradition there and a lot of great players wore those. I know Mike Alstott started his career in those uniform. I think it will be fun and honorable to wear those in honor of the players that came way before us."

Injury Update
Tampa Bay wide receiver Joey Galloway was limited in practice again on Thursday, but it's the first time he's put back-to-back practices together since injuring his foot in Week 2. Galloway is expected to practice again on Friday, but still is questionable for Sunday's game

"He practiced a little bit and he's getting better," Bucs head coach Jon Gruden said of Galloway. "He's probably 50/50, I would say [for Sunday's game]. We'll do it again tomorrow. To be fair to everybody, we'll probably announce [whether he'll play] on Sunday."

Bucs left guard Arron Sears (knee) was also limited in practice. If Sears cannot practice more on Friday rookie Jeremy Zuttah will start in his place.

"I'm comfortable with Zuttah, I really am," said Gruden. "He's a good player and he's going to contend for playing time, no question."

In other injury news, Bucs fullback B.J. Askew (hamstring) and wide receiver Maurice Stovall were held out of practice for the second straight day. Kicker Matt Bryant (hamstring) and quarterback Brian Griese (elbow) were limited. Middle linebacker Barrett Ruud (knee) and linebacker Derrick Brooks (hamstring) each had full participation in practice on Thursday after being limited during Wednesday's workout.

 

Comments

DLS5492

This is great news! I want to thank the Glazer family for making this possible. There is a terrific book out there about the '79 team called "McKay's Men: the story of worst to first' by Denis Crawford. It is a good read about that team. The NFL should be embarrassed by what they did to the 76 Bucs' team. They definitely set them up for failure. No expansion team was ever treated that way since. But, these guys, under the leadership of Coach Mckay, made it one game from the Super Bowl. There was no free agency back then. This is remarkable achievement. In my book, John McKay belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. No other coach could of done what he did. What makes a man great is his ability to overcome. That described perfectly the '79 team. I am so pleased by this news, It is long overdue. Thanks to all who made it possible.
Go Bucs!!!!!

8:22pm, October 16, 2008

jpmbuc72

As a Bucs fan for over 30 years, This is Great News. The only original jersey I still have is Testaverde!! I do have the Alstott T-Shirt w/ Bucco Bruce on front too. I did pick up a throwback hat on my last trip to Tampa last month and was pleased to see the sport stores carrying Throwback clothes and hats.
Go Bucs!!

8:38am, October 17, 2008

tpeluso

Good news on both fronts. A Bucs ring of honor is something that's been long overdue, and it always bothered me whenever the Bucs played on Thanksgiving that they'd be the only team not in throwbacks.

1:01pm, October 17, 2008

niko521

This is awesome!
Now there will be tons of throwback stuff available to stock up on, and then if its popular, we could have one or two a year, maybe a preseason game too!
I LOVE the ORange uniforms, and they DONT remind me of losing, they remind me of 79-82, WINNING! I just hope we play dallas and beat them in the Orange uniforms!

3:33pm, October 17, 2008

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