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Alstotts Deliver Thanksgiving To St. Pete Firehouses

Tribune photo by JASON BEHNKEN

Former Buc Mike Alstott delivers food today to the the St. Petersburg Fire Department.

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By NEIL JOHNSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 25, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Mike Alstott carried a pigskin for 11 years for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Today he carried turkeys for firefighters.

Alstott and his family delivered Thanksgiving Day groceries to the 13 fire stations in St. Petersburg for the 79 firefighters and paramedics scheduled to work Thursday.

Alstott, the team leader in touchdowns and perhaps the most popular Bucs player, called the firefighters heroes.

"The firefighters and men and women that serve our community are heroes," he said. "They protect us."

Alstott, joined by his wife and children, toured the city's stations, unloading groceries from the back of a pickup. The food included turkeys, canned goods, rolls, pies and whatever else will be needed to create a holiday meal, said Lt. Joel Granata, spokesman for St. Petersburg Fire and Rescue.

This is the first time Alstott, through the Mike Alstott Family Foundation, has donated Thanksgiving Day meals to the city's fire stations.

Alstott and his wife, Nicole, created the foundation in 2007. The family will cook and serve dinner Thursday at the Ronald McDonald House in St. Petersburg.

Alstott retired before this season, ending a career that included six Pro Bowl selections.

Reporter Neil Johnson can be reached at (813) 259-7731 or njohnson@tampatrib.com.

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