Bucs' moment of victory is permanently set

A group of statues at One Buc Place commemorate the Super Bowl XXXVII

By Rick Stroud
Published September 18, 2007

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TAMPA - Warren Sapp is back with the Bucs. So are John Lynch and Simeon Rice. Shelton Quarles is in uniform again. By the looks of things, it's as if Brad Johnson never left.

They are all in the glass atrium of the Bucs' $30-million training facility, along with teammates Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber and Mike Alstott.

In a tribute to the Super Bowl XXXVII heroes, the Bucs have placed life-sized statues of eight players from their championship team frozen in time behind a headset-wearing, fist-pumping coach Jon Gruden.

"Oh, man, it's nice," Brooks said. "I actually called Warren when they did it and said, 'I think we're finally cemented at One Buc Place.' I don't know where the idea came from for them to do it, but I think it's a perfect tribute. Hopefully it lasts."

The statues are part of a not-yet-completed exhibit of the Bucs' 48-21 win over the Oakland Raiders and capture the sideline celebration as the game ended.

No detail was spared. Alstott's helmet is pushed back on his forehead. Quarles and Rice are leaping into the air. Brooks' helmet is off, and he's holding his trademark towel. Lynch is pumping his fist. Sapp's belt is loosened.

We have only one question. Where is defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin?