Five guys that deserve Buccaneers’ Ring of Honor recognition
By Bailey Adams
No. 4- James Wilder
Anyone remember what Buccaneer football was like in the 1980s? I’m sure anyone that does remembers James Wilder running, well, wild all over the league (like he was a Hulkamaniac or something, brother). The former Missouri Tiger was the Bucs’ second-round pick in 1981. He went on to play for the team through 1989, putting up numbers that made him the top rusher in franchise history.
Apart from 1981 and 1982, Tampa Bay didn’t do much winning in Wilder’s career. Despite that, he put up 5,957 yards (first all-time) and 37 touchdowns (second all-time). He was a fullback his first three seasons, which cut his carries down. When he made the switch to being a running back, he hit a new gear. In 1984, his first year at the position, he carried the ball 407 times for 1,544 yards and 13 touchdowns– all career-highs. He put up 1,300 yards the next year, then split time between fullback and running back throughout the rest of his Buccaneer career. The second-rounder was a bright spot for the franchise in an era that was full of darkness.
Not only was Wilder a record-setting runner in his time with Tampa Bay, but he also proved to be an effective pass-catcher. He is still eighth all-time in receiving yards with 3,492 and first all-time in receptions with 430. Those 430 catches are 109 more than the second leading receiver. Having a guy that versatile is always big for an offense and in a time that the Bucs lacked a prolific offense, Wilder gave them something to work with. The fact that the Bucs haven’t honored the running back yet may not be a good sign for his chances, but they did reach back into the 1970s and 1980s last year to honor Doug Williams. It wouldn’t be a stretch if they wanted to do it again.