The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made some flashy signings during the 2020 offseason, bringing in Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. If those two want to become all-time greats in franchise lore, it's going to take a lot of success. The Buccaneers joined the NFL in 1976, and since that point, they've had a lot of memorable players and coaches.
Let's take a look at the five biggest legends in Buccaneers history.
5. Mike Alstott
Number five on this list was really the only debate with a couple of other guys just missing the mark. Mike Alstott was selected 35th overall in the second round by the Buccaneers in the 1996 draft.
Alstott was a fullback that was mostly used in the rushing game. During the 1999 season, Alstott rushed 242 times for 949 yards and seven touchdowns. During the 2011 season, he also had 11 rushing touchdowns. He was a big bruising back. A true fan favorite every time he touched the ball. There might be better players in the team's history, but in terms of a legend, Alstott deserves a spot on the list.
4. Lee Roy Selmon
Lee Roy Selmon is often overlooked in the Buccaneers' history of great players. Selmon was the first-ever pick by the Bucs in their history, being selected 1st overall during the 1976 draft.
Early in the Buccaneers history, the strength of the team was the defense. A big reason for this was Selmon. Sacks didn't become an official stat until the 1982 season, but he still finished his career with 78.5 sacks. He also forced 29 fumbles during his time in the league.
He was named the NFC defensive player of the year four times and mad the Pro Bowl six times. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Moreover, he was first Bucs player to have their number retired.
3. Jon Gruden
Jon Gruden was the head man from the Bucs from 2002-08, leading the team to their only Super Bowl title. Gruden was traded from the Oakland Raiders to the Buccaneers for two first-round picks, two second-round picks and $8 million. That was quite the hall to give up for a coach, but he did exactly what he was traded to do; win games. Gruden's overall record when he was with the Buccaneers was 57-55 and he led the team to four winning seasons.
2. Warren Sapp
Every time Warren Sapp stepped onto the field, he was the best defensive tackle on the field. Sapp was with the Bucs from 1995-2003. In 2002, the year the Bucs won the Super Bowl, he finished with 52 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and two interceptions. 1999 was the best season for Sapp, finishing with 12.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. He was impressive enough during that year that he took home the defensive player of the year award.
In 2013, Sapp was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He also has his number 99 retired by the Buccaneers.
1. Derrick Brooks
When people think of Buccaneers history the first name that usually comes to mind is Derrick Brooks. Brooks is not only the biggest legend in team lore, he is one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history. The Buccaneers traded both of their second-round picks to move back into the first round to select Brooks in the 1995 draft.
Brooks started 221 games during his career finishing with 1,698 tackles, 25 interceptions, 13.5 sacks, and six touchdowns. He patrolled the middle of the defense, and the defense went how he went.
In 2014, Brooks was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the first year that was eligible.
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