Mike Alstott

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Alstott played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers, earning third-team All-American honors in 1995, and was selected by the Buccaneers in the second round of the 1996 NFL draft. He received six Pro Bowl and three first-team All-Pro selections, in addition to being a member of the Buccaneers team that won the franchise's first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XXXVII. For his accomplishments in Tampa Bay, he was inducted to the Buccaneers Ring of Honor in 2015.

In Their Own Story

Alstott signed a one-year contract to stay in Tampa Bay for the 2005 season, and signed a similar contract at the conclusion of the 2006 season after contemplating retirement. However, he spent all of the 2007 season on injured reserve because of neck problems, leading to his retirement on January 24, 2008. In the summer of 2007, shortly before he suffered his season-ending and ultimately career-ending neck injury, Alstott appeared in a television commercial for ESPN Fantasy Football along with former teammate Warrick Dunn, who was later signed by the Falcons. He was ranked No. 10 on the NFL Network's "Top Ten Power Backs."

Reader's Guide

Alstott was selected in the second round (35th overall) of the 1996 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers utilized Alstott primarily as a running fullback at a time when most NFL teams used their fullbacks as lead blockers. He was a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that won Super Bowl XXXVII (2002), played at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. Alstott rushed for 15 yards and the first Super Bowl touchdown in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history. He also caught five passes for 43 yards. Alstott signed a one-year contract to stay in Tampa Bay for the 2005 season, and signed a similar contract at the conclusion of the 2006 season after contemplating retirement. However, he spent all of the 2007 season on injured reserve because of neck problems, leading to his retirement on January 24, 2008. With 71 total touchdowns as a Buccaneer, Alstott broke the previous franchise record of 46 by running back James Wilder when he scored his 47th career TD on November 26, 2001. Alstott remained the Buccaneers' all-time leading touchdown scorer until November 22, 2021, when wide receiver Mike Evans scored his 72nd TD as a Buccaneer.

Did You Know?

• Alstott was nicknamed "A-Train" and is regarded as one of the greatest fullbacks of all time.
• He was the first player in Purdue history named MVP in three consecutive seasons.
• Alstott scored the first Super Bowl touchdown in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history in Super Bowl XXXVII.
• He held the Buccaneers' all-time touchdown record (71) until Mike Evans surpassed it in 2021.