A good athlete can become a master of technique, a great athlete can learn to lead others, but there are some athletes that possess a certain X-factor, something that can’t be taught. For the Bucs, his name is Bucky Irving.

Tampa Bay fans have plenty of support to go around for the whole team, but there is an undeniable energy shift that happens when the tenacious, young running back steps onto the field. The stadium comes to life for an athlete who’s used to being the underdog. Irving has earned a fan base in Tampa Bay through his unwavering “can-do” mindset.

“I would pretty much say I’ve been doubted my whole life,” said Irving at training camp. “I’ve always been told I’m too small, I’m not fast enough so, things like that, it motivates me.”

Irving is used to being counted out. With a relatively short stature of 5’9 and a 40-yard dash time that left him in the middle of the pack, Bucky Irving was deemed unathletic and ultimately fell to the fourth round of the 2024 draft, leading him to the Buccaneers. He had a successful rookie campaign in Tampa, boasting over 1,00o rushing yards in his first season with the Bucs.

Bucky Irving Is His Own Worst Enemy

Irving faced challenges when he got injured in a Week 4 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Foot and shoulder injuries sustained during the matchup effectively kept Irving from seeing the field for the majority of his sophomore season. This was a battle for Irving, not only did he need to physically heal, but also go through the mental struggles that come with injury.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I learned a lot about myself,” said Irving. “For the first time being hurt, being able to also know you’re more than just a football player and also just being able to self-reflect on things that you can learn outside of football.”

Unintended time off turned into an opportunity for Irving to reflect on who he was outside of the locker room. He made the best of a bad situation and is coming back with a brand new attitude towards the game he loves. He has now returned to being healthy during training camp and is fully focused on being the best athlete he could be.

Bucky Irving Fights Against Adversity

“Adversity is going to come at some point,” said Irving. “At the end of the day, it’s going to determine how you come out of that and it’s going to make you stronger.”

Irving is, at his own expense, a force to be reckoned with on the field. His relentless effort and willingness to ram straight into defenders and keep going have made him one of the more notable running backs in the league, but they also raise concerns about re-injury. Irving bold decisions on the field last season made him an easy target for injury causing many fans to form an opinion on hid aggressive play style.

“I don’t think I changed my running style,” said Irving. “I mean playing injured can kind of change your different way of how you go about situations because you’re pretty much banged up, but we play a physical game.” Unsurprisingly, it’s all gas and no brakes for Irving, with no plans to dial it back anytime soon. After all, his “why” goes far beyond his own pride.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I do it for the people back home that don’t really get a chance to make it to the NFL. I try to give them some hope so each and every time that I step on the field, I’m going to give it my all.”

The permanent chip on Irving’s shoulder is exactly what turned him into an instant fan-favorite in Tampa Bay. He has an unwavering underdog mentality at all times, regardless of the success he has experienced. Coming back with more to prove and a renewed sense of purpose, it’s not wise to bet against Bucky Irving.