The Tampa Bay Buccaneers inducted former fullback Mike Alstott and quarterback Doug Williams into the team’s Ring of Honor on Wednesday and will celebrate them in ceremonies next season.
Alstott, a six-time Pro Bowl player, will be honored Oct. 4 when the Buccaneers play the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium.
Williams, the Bucs’ first-round pick in 1978, will receive his public tribute Dec. 6 as the Bucs play the Atlanta Falcons.
“Today we celebrate two of the greatest Buccaneers in our team’s rich history,” Buccaneers co-chairman Bryan Glazer said in a release. “Doug Williams and Mike Alstott epitomize what it means to be a Buccaneer. They were winners on the field, but they left a lasting mark on our community and with our fan base long after their playing days were over.”
The pair will join six others in the Ring of Honor: Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon, coach John McKay, tight end Jimmie Giles, offensive lineman Paul Gruber and Hall of Famers Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks.
Alstott played his entire 11-year career with the Buccaneers, who drafted him in the second round in 1996. He scored 71 touchdowns in his career and helped the team beat the Oakland Raiders 48-21 in Super Bowl XXXVII.
Alstott said, “First of all I’d like to say how honored (I am) to be in the same class as a Lee Roy Selmon, as a John McKay, Jimmie Giles. … Paul Gruber early in my career was a great mentor to me. Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks (are) obviously great friends and Hall of Famers, and now Hall of Famer and legend Doug Williams. To put my name in that category is humbling, it really is. It’s emotional. You dream about it.”
Williams played five seasons with Tampa Bay and started the NFC title game in 1979. He later became the starting quarterback of the Washington Redskins and was named Super Bowl XXII MVP in Washington’s 42-10 victory over the Denver Broncos. He is already in Washington’s Ring of Fame.
“I just want to say this is certainly a great day,” said Williams, who also worked in Tampa Bay’s front office from 2004 to 2010 and now is in Washington’s front office. “Somebody called me last night and said, ‘How many times do you get an opportunity to be (honored) in two stadiums?’ I don’t know. But I know I got the opportunity to be in two stadiums. I certainly appreciate being here because this is where it all started.”
