Category: Bucs History

The legend of Lee Roy Selmon, the original Buc

A look back at the legacy of Lee Roy Selmon, the first draft pick and Hall of Famer in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers went on the clock for the first time ever, owning the No. 1 overall pick in the 1976 NFL draft as an expansion franchise, they had the opportunity to define their existence with a cornerstone player.

They couldn’t have made a better choice than Lee Roy Selmon.

A dominant defender on the field, Selmon’s incredible playing career was only outmatched by his impact off the field, which is still felt throughout the Tampa Bay community and beyond to this day.

With 63 days left before the start of the Bucs’ 2024 season, let’s take a look back at the first player (and Hall of Famer) in franchise history (via Liam Mitchell, Bucs Vault):

[lawrence-related id=87685]

 

WATCH: Lawrence Dawsey’s best highlights with the Bucs

Check out the best highlights from wide receiver Lawrence Dawsey’s five seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

One of the more underrated wide receivers in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history, Lawrence Dawsey was a third-round pick in the 1991 NFL draft out of Florida State, and made an instant impact at the next level.

Dawsey’s 818 yards in 1991 led the Bucs and all NFL rookies, and he spent five of his seven pro seasons in Tampa Bay, catching 206 passes for 2,842 yards and five touchdowns in a Bucs uniform.

Watch the video above to see all of the best highlights from Dawsey’s career in Tampa Bay, courtesy of Liam Mitchell (Bucs Vault).

[lawrence-related id=87644]

A look back at Mike Evans’ legendary Bucs career so far

Take a trip down memory lane and relive Mike Evans’ iconic first 10 seasons in a Tampa Bay Buccaneers uniform

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers spent the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft on Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans, little did they know they were landing the best offensive player in franchise history.

Evans has built a surefire Hall of Fame resume over the past decade, setting an all-time NFL record by topping 1,000 yards in each of his first 10 seasons in the league. He’s caught double-digit touchdowns in five of those 10 years, and owns every major receiving mark in the Bucs’ record books.

Now with a new two-year contract extension, Evans will continue to put up big numbers for Tampa Bay that will further cement his place in Canton.

Before he embarks on his 11th NFL campaign, let’s take a look back at some of the best images from Evans’ legendary run with the Bucs so far:

The legend of the ‘A-Train,’ Mike Alstott

One of the most powerful running backs in NFL history, the “A-Train” was must-see TV for 12 seasons in Tampa Bay

When making a list of fan-favorite players throughout the history of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, bowling-ball fullback Mike Alstott will always be near the top.

A powerful force known for creating highlight-reel moments with his ability to break tackles and embarrass opposing defenders, Alstott spent all 12 of his NFL seasons with the Bucs, providing some of the most iconic moments in franchise history.

A unique player who could run and catch as well as any fullback in the history of the NFL, the second-round pick out of Purdue made six Pro Bowls and earned first-team All-Pro honors three times.

Check out this awesome, in-depth feature on Alstott’s career in Tampa Bay:

[lawrence-related id=87631]

Remember when the Bucs set an NFL record with a sack in 69 straight games?

From 1999 to 2003, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had at least one sack in 69 straight games, which was an NFL record at the time

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers boasted one of the most dominant defenses in NFL history during the late-1990s and into the early-2000s, an era that culminated with the team’s first Super Bowl victory following the 2002 season.

Along the way, the Tampa Bay defense set an impressive mark by posting at least one sack in 69 straight games from 1999 through 2003, which was an NFL record at the time.

Watch the video above to see each and every one of those games, courtesy of Bucs Vault (Liam Mitchell).

[lawrence-related id=87605]

Horace Copeland’s iconic backflip TD celebration

During his four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, wide receiver Horace Copeland had a flair for the dramatic in the end zone

During the Creamsicle years of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there wasn’t much to cheer about for long stretches of time.

One of the few entertaining moments throughout the mid-1990s came from wide receiver Horace Copeland, who would nail an impressive backflip in the end zone every time he scored a touchdown.

Copeland spent four seasons with the Bucs, appearing in 58 games with 28 starts. He finished his career in Tampa Bay with 115 receptions for 1,977 yards and seven scores, averaging a whopping 17.2 yards per catch.

Here’s an awesome highlight reel full of Copeland and his backflips, courtesy of Liam Mitchell (Bucs Vault):

[lawrence-related id=87578]

What’s the best offensive lineman number in Bucs history?

It might change down the line, but for now, there’s no doubt about the best offensive lineman number in Bucs history

If you want to be a legendary offensive lineman for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the first thing you should do is request the No. 74 jersey.

That number has been kind to the Bucs in the offensive trenches over the years, as the two best blockers (for now) in franchise history have both sported those digits.

Legendary left tackle Paul Gruber was one of the few bright spots in a long stretch of losing seasons for Tampa Bay, and left guard Ali Marpet lived up to that standard as one of the NFL’s best players at his position for his entire career with the Bucs.

Tristan Wirfs could end up making the No. 78 the best offensive lineman number in Bucs history at some point down the line, but for the time being, Gruber and Marpet have that No. 74 jersey at the top of the list.

[lawrence-related id=87539]

The most underrated players in Bucs history

Who are the most underrated players in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history? Here are our picks.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have seen their share of legends throughout their history, headlined by four Hall of Famers in Lee Roy Selmon, Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp and John Lynch.

But there are plenty of Bucs players who have never received the credit they deserve, especially on a national or league-wide level, even though die-hard Tampa Bay fans have always known better.

Here are our picks for the most underrated players in Bucs history:

WATCH: Former Bucs QB Shaun King relives 1999 NFC title game vs. Rams

This game is still a sore spot for Bucs fans, and the same is true for their former quarterback

There’s a short list of games that Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans can’t bring up without getting pretty irate.

At the top of the list for many of them would be the 1999 NFC Championship Game against the St. Louis Rams, which the Bucs lost 11-6 despite shutting down the famed “Greatest Show on Turf” offense to just one late touchdown.

Part of the reason the Bucs lost that game was because of a terrible missed call in the fourth quarter that ruled a catch by wide receiver Bert Emanuel as an incomplete pass, and one that sparked a subsequent rule change across the league.

Shaun King, who was the Bucs’ starting quarterback for that game, recently spoke with Go Long’s Ty Dunne about that fateful contest, and it’s a must-watch/listen for Tampa Bay fans:

Yep, still hurts.

[lawrence-related id=87433]

Just in case you forgot, Karl Williams was ‘The Truth’

For nearly a decade, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had one of the NFL’s most dangerous punt returners in Karl “The Truth” Williams

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally started to turn things around during the latter part of the 1990s, one of their most electrifying playmakers was Karl Williams, who would establish himself as one of the league’s most dangerous punt returners.

An undrafted free agent in 1996 out of Texas A&M-Kingsville, Williams spent eight of his nine NFL seasons with the Bucs, and forever etched himself in franchise history with his knack for making big plays in the return game.

Just in case you forgot how much of a problem “The Truth” was for opposing coverage teams, here’s an awesome highlight reel to remind you:

[lawrence-related id=86894]