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A-Train Hints At Retirement On Radio

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By ROY CUMMINGS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 10, 2008

Updated: 01/10/2008 12:13 am

TAMPA - After 12 seasons and two neck injuries, the Bucs' beloved A-Train finally may be ready to steer himself into the station for good.

Though he said a final decision has yet to be made, fullback Mike Alstott strongly suggested Wednesday he will retire as a player before the 2008 season.

"You can read between the lines," Alstott said during an interview with hosts Ron Diaz and Ian Beckles on WDAE, 620 AM. "I've had some injuries; I have a young family; I can't be selfish in that regard.

"I can't go have more surgeries; it wouldn't be worth it. I was disappointed I couldn't be on the field this year, but I'm having fun now. Right now my concentration is on my foundation."

A decision to retire would be no surprise. Alstott virtually called it quits last summer after a second neck injury forced him to spend the 2007 season on injured reserve.

Though he never mentioned the word retire, Alstott hinted then and again Wednesday his second neck injury in five years would force him to give up playing the game he loves.

"One thing is, you don't mess with the neck," Alstott said in September. "There are always situations where it can be worsened by playing. It is a severe injury, and it's a situation you don't mess with."

Alstott could not be reached for further comment on Wednesday. His wife Nicole, meanwhile, echoed comments her husband made during the summer and Wednesday when speaking on the matter.

"It's a hard pill to swallow, you know; the season just ended," she said. "But I promise you when he's ready to discuss it and make his announcement you guys will be the first to know."

Alstott said he has not discussed his future with the Bucs and would not rule out taking a role similar to that assumed by recently retired linebacker Shelton Quarles, who joined the team's scouting staff during the summer.

"I really don't know what's going to happen even with football right now," Alstott said.

Whenever he does call it a career, Alstott will close out a chapter in Bucs lore unlike any other. During his 12 seasons, his rugged running style made him arguably the franchise's most popular player.

Even late in his career, the amount of playing time he received was always a topic for debate among Bucs fans who never tired of seeing him bounce off and rumble through defenders.

More than just a traditional fullback, Alstott was a power runner with deft pass-catching skills who made it to six consecutive Pro Bowls, three as a starter.

Along with tailback Warrick Dunn, he was a major part of the turnaround the Bucs made in the late 1990s when they finally shed their image as bumbling losers and gained leaguewide respect.

"There was a time when it wasn't popular to be a Buccaneer, and Mike made it cool to be a Buccaneer," former Bucs coach Tony Dungy said of Alstott during the summer.

Alstott's best season probably was the 1999 campaign when he helped the Bucs reach the NFC title game by gaining 1,188 total yards, including 949 rushing yards, and scoring nine touchdowns.

Even if he never plays another game, he will retire as the Bucs' all-time leader in touchdowns (71) and rushing touchdowns (56) and as their second-best ground gainer (5,088 yards) behind James Wilder (5,957).

Reporter Roy Cummings can be reached at (813) 259-7979 or at rcummings@tampatrib.com.

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