New voice of the Buccaneers revealed following Gene Deckerhoff’s retirement

Gene Deckerhoff became a legend in Tampa Bay after 37 seasons voicing the Buccaneers.

His famous “Touchdown, Tampa Bay!” and “Fire the Cannons!” calls will live on forever in Bucs lore.

But with the 81-year-old heading into a well-deserved retirement, it’s time for a new voice to pick up the microphone and become the soundtrack of Buccaneers football. 

Tony Castricone is the Bucs’ new radio play-by-play announcer

After an exhaustive search, the organization announced Tuesday that Tony Castricone has been chosen to take over as the team’s new radio play-by-play announcer.

Previously, Castricone spent the last nine years at the University of Washington as the voice of the Huskies’ football and basketball teams. Castricone is just the latest in the Washington-to-Tampa Bay pipeline. He’ll come to a Tampa Bay team that employs several former Huskies including Vita Vea, Jalen McMillan, and Cade Otton. 

Following a legend like Deckerhoff, who is a lock to be enshrined in the franchise Ring of Honor, is no small feat, and Castricone isn’t taking the opportunity lightly.  

“There will never be another Gene, and I'll miss hearing his larger-than-life voice on gamedays. The thought of following in his legendary footsteps is humbling and exhilarating. My family and I cannot wait to be Buccaneers, to be Floridians and to meet as many members of the Krewe as possible,” Castricone said in a statement released by the team. 

Expectations are sky-high in Tampa Bay after the Bucs squandered a 6-2 start and missed the postseason for the first time since 2019. Castricone’s debut season happens to be extremely high-stakes, and a pivotal moment for the franchise. 

Hopefully, Castricone’s first season is filled with touchdown calls, victories, and a playoff run that will give Buccaneers fans plenty to cheer about. 

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