Teammates, fans roar for 40

Mike Alstott, out for the season and possibly for good, is cheered in introductions.

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER, Times Staff Writer
Published August 11, 2007

TAMPA - So many times, Mike Alstott has sprinted out of the southwest tunnel in Raymond James Stadium, and each time, the result has been the same: a thunderous roar from the crowd.

With the Bucs' first preseason game of 2007, Alstott again made a highly anticipated entrance, but this one was different. It might be the last time Tampa Bay ever hears the train whistle blow during pregame introductions. Even his teammates had goose bumps.

"I really wasn't expecting that," said linebacker Derrick Brooks, one of Alstott's confidants. "With him not being able to play this year, allowing the fans to have a chance to show their appreciation was great. I wouldn't mind if they did it every home game. That's how much he's done for this franchise."

Placed on injured reserve Thursday and sidelined for the season, it's conceivable Alstott, 33, will never play again after another unnerving neck injury.

But if he never suits up again, the 12-year veteran and six-time Pro Bowl player enjoyed one last intimate moment with 65,130 of his closest friends. And then it got even better. After running out to his teammates while wearing a No. 40 jersey and blue jeans, Alstott was greeted with hugs and backslaps in what was one of the night's highlights.

"It was surreal," Brooks said. "It was kind of unexpected, so you got a real natural reaction from guys who got a chance to show their appreciation. He held his press conference, but that was back here in Tampa when we were still at Disney. We didn't know if everybody would get a chance to hug him and shake his hand and show their appreciation for what he has meant to this organization."

For friend and running back Michael Pittman - who said Friday he likely will replace Alstott as the starting fullback - it was personal.

"It was definitely a special moment," Pittman said. "We're so much more than teammates. Our wives are friends. Our kids play together. It's a sad story with what's going on with Mike right now. But it's football, and injuries like that do happen."

Soon, the day will come when Alstott's departure will become official, and that reality is hard for everyone in the organization to accept.

"It crushes me because this guy loves football and he loves the Bucs," coach Jon Gruden said. "It's tough to say goodbye to guys who have helped you win a championship."

But before they say goodbye, the Bucs said hello to Alstott in grand fashion.

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@sptimes.com or 813 226-3377.

[Last modified August 11, 2007, 01:25:50]