We're just days away from the NFL Draft, but it's not just teams around the league locking in last-minute plans.
Each year there are a handful of things that happen throughout the draft to both try and make it a special occasion but also tie the future to the past. As a new class of rookies enters the league, legends from the past are going to be making cameos to remind us all of what sort of career everyone crossing the stage will strive for.
That means the return of a Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend, someone who fans will instantly recall some great memories of when he makes his appearance.
Simeon Rice is returning to Buccaneers to help with a special NFL Draft job
On the second night of the NFL Draft, picks will be announced by iconic players who spent time with whichever team is on the clock. For the Bucs, that means Super Bowl champion and Hall of Fame hopeful Simeon Rice will be returning to the team for a special one-night-only type of job.
Bucs will have Simeon Rice announcing draft picks in Green Bay on the second day of next week’s draft.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) April 17, 2025
Some fans might remember Rice for his time with the Arizona Cardinals in the late 90s, but those folks must have tuned out after he arrived in Tampa Bay. He played six seasons with the Bucs after signing a $30 million contract in 2001, and made the most of his time with the team. Rice finished his six seasons in Tampa with 208 tackles, 36 assists, 69.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, and four interceptions.
Of course, his crowning achievement was being the final piece of a Super Bowl-winning defense.
He remains beloved in Tampa, and for good reason. He wasn't an original member of the iconic defense he played on but he fit in so naturally that he's remembered just as well. The only thing missing is his bust in Canton, which is hopefully going to be coming soon.
When that happens it will give us all a good reason to stroll down memory lane, but seeing Rice back with the Bucs on draft night will be a nice dose of nostalgia to hold us over.
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