Gene Deckerhoff Is Back!

May 18th, 2023

“You’re the man, Gene!”

Fire the cannons!

Long-time radio voice of the Bucs, Gene Deckerhoff, announced he’s returning to the Bucs’ broadcast booth for his 35th season this fall.

So Joe guesses he can let the cat out of the bag a little.

Last year, after Deckerhoff retired as the long-time voice of Seminoles football and basketball, there was a feature story out of Tallahassee on Deckerhoff that claimed Deckerhoff was going to call the Bucs in 2022 and that would be it. Soon after, Joe asked the Bucs to set up an interview with Deckerhoff, so Joe could type a send-off story.

Joe was denied. Not because they didn’t want Joe to type a farewell, but Joe was told the scuttlebutt of Deckeroff’s retirement was “premature.”

Deckerhoff was thinking of retiring but had not made up his mind. Joe was informed by the Bucs they very much wanted Deckerhoff to return, but the decision was fully up to Deckerhoff.

So today, by golly, Deckerhoff cut a video on his Twitter feed and informed the world he would be back in the booth calling Bucs games when the Steelers come to town to kick off preseason football.

Welcome back, Gene!

74 Responses to “Gene Deckerhoff Is Back!”

  1. Allen Lofton Says:

    Great

  2. Allen Lofton Says:

    GO BUCS

  3. dls5492 Says:

    I can’t imagine anybody else calling Bucs’ games.

  4. ATLBuc Says:

    Who actually hears that? People in the stadium?

  5. Dooley Says:

    Ring of Honor plaque right above the booth he calls games from as Mean Gene is our Chick Hearn.

  6. Lord Cornelius Says:

    Lets goooo

  7. Joe Says:

    Ring of Honor plaque right above the booth he calls games from as Mean Gene is our Chick Hearn.

    Good call!

  8. VATom Says:

    Tom Deckerhoff…I mean Gene…good to have him back.

  9. DAVID_54 Says:

    Awesome – Gene’s a treasure

  10. BBQBUC Says:

    Great news!

  11. PSL Bob Says:

    All of the accolades are deserved, BUT….

    How many of you have to listen to the Buc’s games on the radio if you want to know what’s going on in real time? Living over on the FL east coast, I do. This year, I imagine that will be quite a few games. Gene is a legend, but it was time for him to hang up the cleats. He fumbles nearly every play now. Dave Moore has to correct him all the time. His mental acuity is just not there anymore. Sorry Gene! I love you man, but time to kick back and sip bourbon on game day now.

  12. Chris Cotten Says:

    Love it, I’ve enjoyed his voice for years, season ticket holder from NC here

  13. Chris Cotten Says:

    Love it, I’ve enjoyed his voice for years

  14. Chris Cotten Says:

    Ring of Honor is an absolute must for that man

  15. Doc Says:

    Mean Gene,you the man.

  16. HC Grover Says:

    Gooood!

  17. kyle Says:

    1st ballot ring of honor and bucs hall of famer!

  18. Bucs2Yucspart2 Says:

    White to the Broncos for Jeudy and a 5th this year and next year a 2nd and 4th
    Get it done !!!

  19. BA’s Red Pen Says:

    GO BUCS

  20. YucsBall Says:

    Love Gene, I listen to him broadcasting over the radio every chance I get. That being said his age has caught up to him and he is not as sharp as he used to be.

  21. Infomeplease Says:

    Fire the Cannons!

  22. Scotty in Fat Antonio Says:

    His mental acuity is just not there anymore? Maybe he can run for higher public office?

  23. D-Rok Says:

    Gene should have “Fire the Cannons!” patented. What an iconic voice.

  24. Tim Says:

    Awesome, I wasn’t looking forward to listening to someone else call Bucs games, just wouldn’t be the same.

  25. NCBucfan Says:

    The best broadcaster hands down. Dude is awesome

  26. All_da_way Says:

    That voice is recognizable no matter who or where you are.

  27. Smashsquatch Says:

    Thank you Gene, you’re an icon!

  28. ocala Says:

    Great person on top of being a great broadcaster.

  29. OrlandoBucFan Says:

    Legend!

  30. Caradoc Says:

    Santa Maria!

  31. Jeff Says:

    The moment he retires the following year he absolutely is a Buc’s Ring of Honor Initiate. He’s a Bucs hero!

  32. gregoreo Says:

    run Michael run

  33. Aleyz2020 Says:

    Back in the day when network and radio broadcasts were in sync I’d mute the TV and crank up Gene. His play by play enthusiasm is the best, bar none! Whenever I’m away from a live video he gets my ear. Thankfully we get to enjoy one more season of “TOUCHDOWN TAMPA BAY!”. Hopefully quite often!

  34. Hodad Says:

    I’m assuming he’s retired from doing the Noles games?

  35. Steven007 Says:

    I was waiting for some type of cognitive decline Blather and someone up above didn’t disappoint. Listen, who cares if he gets a name wrong or the call wrong initially a few times a game? It’s not as if it changes the outcome. And it will be quickly corrected. Fact remains the guy’s a legend and I was really not looking forward to hearing the clips of the radio calls with someone else’s voice, so I’m glad he’s coming back. He’s an icon. His voice is probably been on GMFB more than any non-hosting broadcaster in the last 3 years or so.

  36. CrackWise Says:

    His voice sends chills down my spine as it reminds me so much of youth and following the Bucs. Every game back then Mean Gene was a must listen in order to ENJOY the games. He made losing fun!!!

    I Love you Mr. D. SO VERY HAPPY to know your still in the BOTH. Here’s hoping you got another 35 years in you kind Sir!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  37. CrackWise Says:

    For those who like criticize things such as spelling. Yes, I know, its BOOTH, you clowns need to kick rocks.

    Mine as well correct my sentence too because you dorks. “reminds me of MY youth”.

    Asshats

  38. Oxycondoms Says:

    I love it when he yells Its Blocked Its Blocked

  39. Pelsbuc61 Says:

    Gene is the best!

  40. Buc4evr Says:

    He has been the only voice of the Bucs. Glad he is back! Fire those canons!

  41. TOMMY MORDUE Says:

    IT’S GOOD TO HEAR MEAN GENE WILL BE CALLING GAMES AGAIN THIS YEAR !..A BUCCANEER ICON VOICE THAT’S FOR SURE!..MISSED “MARK CHAMPION” WHEN HE LEFT US TOO..I USED TO LOVE IT WHEN THE BUC’S TACKLED A PLAYER HARD & HE’D “AND HE’S BULLDOGGED DOWN AT THE 50 YARD LINE BY A SWARM OF BUCCANEERS ! ! !” ( EVEN THOUGH I’M PERSONALLY A GATORS FAN ) I LIKE THE JERRY JEUDY TRADE FOR DEVIN WHITE..BUT, I WOULD PERSONALLY LIKE THE BUC’S TO TRADE DEVIN WHITE TO THE CHARGERS FOR “AUSTIN ECKLER” & A MID-LATE DRAFT PICK BASED ON THE 5 YEAR AGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO….WE NEED A POLISHED VETERAN RUNNING BACK TO SHOW OUR OTHER GUYS HOW A TRUE PROFESSIONAL RUNS & CATCHES THE BALL !

  42. rigged Says:

    TOMMY MORDUE I WANT TO HAVE ALL YOUR REMAINING CHILDREN

  43. rigged Says:

    !!!!!!!!

  44. CrackWise Says:

    @rigged LMAO not sure who or what you’re talking about and I don’t care. You got me laughing for sure.

  45. Crickett Baker Says:

    I agree with PSL Bob. I have to listen to many games on the radio (I live in AR now after many years in Tampa). He had to be corrected too many times. I figured during last year that his time was up, and now it’s not but I believe it should have been. I have fully enjoyed Gene for many years, but the numerous errors that he spoke overcame his enthusiasm for me.

  46. LakelandSteve Says:

    One of my favorites by Gene, “Alstott up the gut.”

  47. Bucs Guy Says:

    Best news I’ve heard today!

  48. ghost Says:

    To those who complain he makes a few mistakes when speaking, you must have not heard the President speak…

  49. Crotch McGee Says:

    Jacquez Green has his heels back at we’ll call it the Green Bay 40. There’s the snap and it’s a hiiiii spiraling punt. Quez backpedals and fields it at the 35. He cuts up field and he’s got some room. He’s at the 40, 45, 50 he’s across midfield! 45-40-35-30 he’s to the 20… he could go allllll the wayyyyy!!! Touchdown Tampa Bay!!! Jacquez Green takes it to the house!! 65 yards and the Bucs take the lead…!!! Hold everything. There’s a marker down. This is all coming back. Holding on the Bucs. Are you kidding me Mr Referee?!

    Love Gene no matter what!! Go Bucs!! Fire them cannons!!

  50. CleanHouse Says:

    Many times have I muted the tv in favor of this man. I am lucky to have gone to FSU and grown up a Seminole since childhood- I’ll be 45 so Gene has always called all of my teams games!!! Lucky

  51. Idahobucfan4life Says:

    I love the way that guy calls a Bucs game!!

  52. ElioT Says:

    Awesome! Cheers to Gene!!!

    Been listening to him all my life, since the good old “black out” days.

    Fire the Cannons!!!!

  53. BigMacAttack Says:

    Crotch McGee nailed it!!!!
    Can we get Rick Flair in there with Gene for the Carolina game?

  54. R0n@Tampa Says:

    Tom Brady was the QB in the nfl in 2020. In 2023 Brady would be a 3rd string QB on this roster. Mayfield and Trask will do what they do, focus on the focus, and everything will be alright. Fire the cannons indeed! But will there be enough gunpowder to keep up with the touchdowns this offense will score this year?

    No one focuses like the Bucs.

  55. Red86 Says:

    Such a legendary voice for this franchise. Please add to Ring of Honor asap.

  56. @CABucs Says:

    **Gene** Bucs Legend

  57. optimisticbucsfan Says:

    Love Gene

  58. Greg Says:

    As a Gator fan, Gene I am glad that uncertainty is cleared up as you are amazing! I look forward TO HEARING Your voice for the upcoming season! Go Bucs!

  59. adam from ny Says:

    rock on mean gene !

  60. Mike in LOL Says:

    Best Bucs news I’ve heard all year!!

  61. Delusional Intelligence Says:

    Dooley Says:
    May 18th, 2023 at 3:38 pm

    Ring of Honor plaque right above the booth he calls games from as Mean Gene is our Chick Hearn.

    +1

  62. TDTB2022 Says:

    ^+2

  63. TDTB2022 Says:

    TB VS OAK
    THE DAGGER IS ON! WE ARE GOING TO WIN THE SUPER BOWL!

  64. Zoocomics Says:

    This is one of those moments, where you may not hear Gene when you watching the games at home, but you’re just happy to know he is out there in the ether calling Bucs games.

    BUT…there are those rare moments, for me where you can’t watch the game, you’re at a baby shower in 2006, a not so good Bucs team is losing to the Eagles, somehow with less than a minute left and no time outs, Bucs receive the kick-off, they somehow manage to drive the ball down the field just in enough time to line up for an impossible 62 yard attempt. With all my Tampa family gathered around my cousin’s car stereo, there was not a more glorious voice to call the game winning kick by Matt Bryant. Still gives me goosebumps when I listen to it.

  65. garro Says:

    Rather listen to Mean Gene and Dave Moore than any overpayed netork team.
    You are a legend Gene!
    2002 Superbowl “The Bucs are going to win the Super Bowl!”

  66. nick houllis Says:

    I still remember my first Bucs broadcast team, not the original, but Mark Champion and Dave Kocourek, who did Bucs radio when I first discovered the Bucs in 1979-198(7? 8?) thankfully I have. one broadcast of them, the week 16 game of 1979 as the Bucs played for the NFC Central division Championship at home in a monsoon vs the KC Chiefs. game was preserved by WestWood 1 and I have a copy. Gene may fumble a lot, so did Harry Carrey at his end, but not a cubs fan in the world wouldn’t want to hear HOLY COW one more time on the air! Funny story, in the end eyes failing , carry would call. “and its a hard shot. its going deep, deep its going its going and its, um, caught at second by Sandberg” lol

  67. Brian Cawood Says:

    Alstott up the gut!!!

  68. Bojim Says:

    Need you man!!

  69. Buc4evr Says:

    Ray Scott, Dick Crippen, then Mark Champion. Then I think Gene was after that and has been with the Bucs since? Remember Gene and Jesse Venturi, or Hardy , or David Logan before Brantley came on the scene. The Gene and Jesse combo was fun!

  70. Doug Says:

    I will never forget his cal of Rondes pick six in the NFC Championship game

  71. Buc1987 Says:

    Crotch McGee…you made me smile…classic Gene!

  72. Bradinator Says:

    YAY!

  73. Rod Munch Says:

    Does anyone have games from 1989 with Deckerhoff and Jesse ‘The Body’ Ventura (and Al Keck). I recall those as being some fun games to listen to, and I seem to recall Jesse The Body talking about hitting the refs with a chair as Deckerhoff politely, and uncomfortably, laughed. It was a great radio broadcast.

    Deckerhoff has been my favorite radio announcer for many a years, glad he’s back yet again.

  74. Hunter's Crack Pipe Says:

    ROH