Buccaneers flashback: WD-40 Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott

Mike Alstott was drafted 35th overall back in 1996 by the Buccaneers, Warrick Dunn 12th overall in 1997. Both will be remembered as great Buccaneers backs.

When Mike Alstott arrived in Tampa Bay to begin his twelve year career here as the Buccaneers had not been to the playoffs since 1981. That was soon going to change as, considered a cornerstone player in a line of great draft choices, he helped pave the way to Super Bowl XXXVII. Mike soon became a fan favorite with his punishing run style that hearkened back to the old school National Football League days; Warrick Dunn was not far behind.

Whether it was opening holes for Dunn, or a called play for himself, Mike did it using all his heart, with the intensity and flare of a charging rhino. It was a way of playing and doing things that translated well to a big screen TV.

There was no doubt in anyone’s mind when he was doing anything on the gridiron he was doing it with a single mindedness, and determination that only a good handful of special players in the game possessed. A man among boys, a player’s player, Alstott was truly one of the greatest at his position for his time, and beyond.

At a time when the true fullback position was beginning to become a thing of the past, Mike Alstott showed that when played correctly, the way he did it. The fullback position was as important as ever, Alstott proved over and over again that it didn’t die out when The Washington Redskin’s John Riggins, retired.