Bucs Pass On Ring Of Honor Day

June 22nd, 2023

Retired defensive end Simeon Rice.

So our beloved Buccaneers announced a season’s worth of 2023 gameday promotions today. Missing is the annual Ring of Honor enshrinement.

Joe absolutely thinks that could change if Team Glazer works out a date with Tom Brady. But otherwise it seems there was no announcement because there will not be a 2023 enshrinee. Beat writer Greg Auman sent that message out on Twitter.

Joe knows many old Bucs fans bang a drum for running back James Wilder, the star running back who holds the franchise record for total rushing yards. He was an absolute beast during the 1984 and 1985 seasons.

There’s also running back Ricky Bell, the bruiser of the Bucs’ first excellent team in 1979. Ironically, Bell was inducted into the Buccaneers “Krewe of Honor” that was part of the old Tampa Stadium demolished with the structure in 1997. Team Glazer, apparently, is not a fan of preserving history.

Joe knows some fans pine for Lost Decade defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and his six Pro Bowl seasons to land in the Ring of Honor, and for middle linebacker Hardy Nickerson and his five Pro Bowl seasons as a violent beast in the Tampa Bay defense.

Simeon Rice? Folks at One Buc Palace say the sack master deserves a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, yet he’s not in the Ring. Odd.

Of course, Team Glazer could restore Jon Gruden’s Ring of Honor spot. Chucky was defrocked by Team Glazer, an entity that has prided itself on being a champion of second chances and forgiveness.

Regardless, it seems this will not be a year for Ring of Honor expansion.

36 Responses to “Bucs Pass On Ring Of Honor Day”

  1. Pickgrin Says:

    Thats weird. Plenty to choose from. Rice, Nickerson, Wilder and McCoy all belong.

    And Brady of course – which may well be the reason for no announcement thus far.

    Gruden NEVER should have been removed. Such an over-reactionary, butthurt, oh yea – we’ll show you move by the owners…. Sigh……

  2. Stormy Says:

    Chucky screwed himself.

    Why would the Glazer’s honor a guy who wants them to “perform a certain unmentionable act” on him?

  3. Pickgrin Says:

    Whatever Stormy.

    You are ignoring the fact that Gruden was just talking chit with his buddy Bruce Allen – neither of whom were very happy with the Glazers at the time – in a PRIVATE email – TWELVE YEARS ago……

    I imagine there’s not 1 person reading this who could comfortably survive the scrutiny of the worst of their private emails over the last dozen years being released to the general public.

  4. Bee Says:

    Anyone upset over a private email is a hypocrite. People have private conversations all the time that are “inappropriate” but they don’t get released. It was an obvious hit job on Gruden. I digress…. Rice needs to be in the ROH. He played a pivotal role in the Bucs getting a ring. GMC does not, he played a pivotal role in lots of losing.

  5. ‘79 Defense Says:

    I’d pull for Ricky Bell. Doesn’t make sense that he was in the “Krewe” but left out of the Ring. —Aside from that, I met him one evening at a mall in Orlando. He was there with Jimmie Giles signing autographs in a clothing department and apparently nobody knew or cared that they were there. As a ten year old kid at the time, getting the chance to talk to my Bucs heroes with nobody around was incredible. Both were very nice. Fond memories…

  6. Dewey Selmon Says:

    James Wilder had 2 good years. he only surpassed 700 yards 3 times. He also had a 3.7 yard per carry avg. He might be the all time leading rusher and was also receptions before Evans broke it. But the bar must be low for him to get in. 407 carries in 1 year. all volume stats.

  7. Evan Nishimura Says:

    Gruden talked so much smack about the Glazers. Why is anyone shocked? It’s like if Joe talked bad about his co-workers and is so surprised when he gets fired from the website. Their stadium, their rules.

  8. Chris Says:

    Bell, Rice – yes. McCoy – no way, no gd way.

  9. RustyRhinos Says:

    Let us put this where we all live, shall we? On our own home would we put the name of someone who has bad-mouthed us? In private, but then that private conversation became un-private national and internationally reported news? Will we all still proudly display and show off this person and their name, in the hallowed halls of our honorable homes? I would not and would remove it from my home of honor.
    Maybe it is just me.

    Sad DAY Again, our Buccaneer’s Ownership is not Honoring one of their franchise’s best players. One with 8 current #1 standing Buccaneer franchise records. Yes, there are other things to be so very di$tracted by with the po$$ible Multi-Billion dollar $ale of their ManUnited team. (GO!!!!!ARMORY!!!!!) Shameful with as many deserving ROH potential members as are out there. Wilder IMHO should already be a member.
    GO!!!!!BUCS!!!!!

  10. Crickett Baker Says:

    I had the privilege of watching Ricky Bell many memorable times. He was fantastic and his untimely death was a real shocker.

    I don’t think Tom should even be considered for the ROH. He only played with us for 2 years with his heart being in it and he certainly didn’t win a SB on his own.

  11. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    I think having one every year was a bad idea. It’s more special if they do not happen as often.

  12. Tap-Out Says:

    Upset over private emails …yet we long for players to be perfect! …make it make sense!! If you say it in private make sure it states that way …as a matter of fact don’t say stupid stuff …just let those thoughts run around in you oxygen deprived brain!

  13. Tony Says:

    MICHAEL CLAYTON FOR RING OF HONOR!😀

  14. nicholas houllis Says:

    look around the NFL at hallowed stadiums… only the best of the best get in. The Bucs that were part of the first generation of achievements has been recognized. Doug Williams, Lee roy salmon, and Jimmie Giles and coach McKay were part of every division and playoff team. Sorry McCoy, your a great man, but you weren’t part of any greatness. time to put this aside till the next gen gets in. Lavonte, Evans, Godwin, and yes, Brady.

  15. Ben Harvey Says:

    @crickett baker my thoughts are Brady deserves to be in it because in those 3 short years I’m pretty certain he broke Bucs passing records and also helped win the superbowl. Not one player gets you a superbowl, but his leadership and stats that year in the superbowl and the following season I beleive he had one of the best seasons statistically in his career.

  16. Tony Says:

    I’m kind of surprised Dunn isn’t in there. I’d think he’d get considered at some point.

  17. Crickett Baker Says:

    Well, Ben, he did do all that, but I question his heart and loyalty in his last season and he only played for 3. In a way I accede to your points, but it’s just not enough for me. I feel that if anywhere it’s the Pat’s ROH he deserves.

  18. Tap-Out Says:

    McCoy was a great player period and when he was here he was at his best the Pro Bowls are indicative of that.Getting into The Bucs (ROH) should be based on weather are not he was a great player for the team not the number of personal achievements!

  19. FortMyersDave Says:

    After TB12, the top 3 to get in should be James Wilder, Simeon Rice and the late great Ricky Bell. McCoy can wait like Rice and Wilder have.

  20. FortMyersDave Says:

    @Tony, yes Dunn should be considered but I feel Wilder and Bell are also worthy. Dunn has the huminaitarian aspect as well, with his providing houses for families in need. Perhaps Dunn after Wilder and Bell but before GMC93.

  21. David in Montreal Says:

    Simeon was a master of his craft. A true game changer making splash plays, the master of the strip-sack coming off the edge, and a ring to boot. Geraldine a laughable resume compared #97.

  22. westernbuc Says:

    Hundreds of thousands of emails and only Gruden’s gets released. Yeah, the Glazers own the joint, but it’s not like they aren’t replaceable. Gruden got the first ring. The Glazers have shown the more they put their hands on things the worse they get.

    I think they’re going to let Tom get his moment with the Patriots and then get him next year.

    Simeon and Hardy both deserve it. Ricky Bell and James Wilder too. GMC probably but not before any of those guys.

    Everyone expects us to be trash this year (not me) so why not have some ceremonies to make the season more interesting? We don’t have to retire every number. Just honor their contribution.

  23. Esteban85 Says:

    When will people learn that their emails and texts are not private.

  24. garro Says:

    I am starting to believe that the Glazers have lost touch with their fan base.
    Not sure who is advising them or even if someone is advising them.
    PR people perhaps? If they are trying to attract younger fans, so be it. But to do so while alienating the original long time fans is preposterous! It makes the whole Ring of Honor a sham if this is how they think. If it is indeed the same PR people who brought us the alarm clock jerseys and half the stadium that is inaccessible to the less well heeled fans they need to clean house in the PR department.

    Bell, Wilder, and Rice need to be corrected before they ever consider Brady…Period!

    PS I love Brady but do the right thing!

    Go Bucs!

  25. Rod Munch Says:

    The promotions this offseason have been terrible. I’m going to guess, based on the awful job they’re doing and the stupid list of promotions that they’re doing, that they hired a woman to run the marketing department.

  26. Rod Munch Says:

    HAHAHAHAHA I KNEW IT!

    I googled it after posting that, and sure enough, the Bucs hired some woman to do some new made-up BS position of ‘Chief Impact Officer’ and ‘will be responsible for leading the team’s community outreach efforts and implementing impactful initiatives’.

    The Bucs sent out that AWFUL email today with their stupid themes for each game, and I absolutely knew based off how bad it was, and how it was completely unrelated to football, they hired some woman who will now do everything possible to try to turn away Bucs fans from games, probably part of the master plan of getting stadium attendance to zero so they can move the team to London in 2028 when the lease is up.

  27. Hunter's Crack Pipe Says:

    Rod Munch Says:
    ‘Chief Impact Officer’
    .
    .

    Yup. She’s the one that was in charge of Adidas marketing when they put men in bikinis and bras.

  28. Tap-Out Says:

    What is laughable to me is T Brady was here all of 2 years and some think he gets into the T Bucs (ROH) …asinine!

  29. CrackWise Says:

    Yall keep saying the Glazer kids own Tampa Stadium. THEY DON’T, in fact, pappa smerff threatened us all to move the Bucs out of Tampa the moment he bought the team IF the Community didn’t pay for the stadium. IN FACT it was just recently that the city tax for the stadium was supposed to end because WE PAID FOR THE STADIUM and the TAMPA SPORTS AUTHORITY who claims ownership of the stadium did not allow the CITY TAX to END.

    You trans…PLANTS need to go the heck back to where you came from. GRUDEN said NOTHING about the Glazer KIDS that we TRUE FANS do not disagree with. They are clowns and can suck a FAT ONE. Chucky’s in fact would be fitting. Chucky is TAMPA BLOOD THROUGH AND THROUGH!!!

  30. Jeff’s grandpa Says:

    McSofty is a career loser no thxs

  31. David Says:

    Brady, Nickerson, & Rice definitely should be up there. Gruden should, that was a stupid decision. Anyone else is in debatable.

    Eventually Mike Evans, Lavonte David, Tristan Wirfs will definitely be in. Godwin is on his way as well.

  32. lambchop Says:

    @Esteban85,

    You hit it on the head! Non-IT or non-curious people don’t realize that most of the things we don’t put behind a secure VPN is not private. Everything we use, goes through a mediary. Someone provides these services to us, or goes through a channel (ISP) that’s not secure.

    It’s unfortunate Gruden’s emails got leaked, but once they’re out, you think the owners are going to say, “Well, look at that jackash Gruden talking spit about us. Oh well, we’ll just put our tails between our legs and continue to honor him.”

    None of you would do that. FOH.

  33. Rod Munch Says:

    lambchop – so what you’re saying is words hurt, and people should be punished for what they say in private if you don’t like it.

    Classic fascist-level thinking.

    Also if someone calls me names or talks trash about me, what I do is combat their words… with words, and I don’t try to get them fired, to silence them, to ruin their lives. You have to be a truly a nutjob to think that is the appropriate response to someone calling you a ‘poopy-head’.

  34. TOMMY MORDUE Says:

    I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY THE BUC’S ARE PASSING ON THE “RING OF HONOR” THIS YEAR..VERY SELFISH MOVE IN MY ESTIMATION..IT GIVES CURRENT PLAYERS SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT WHEN QUESTIONING WHETHER THEY SHOULD REMAIN A BUCCANEER FOR THEIR ENTIRE CAREER..A CULMINATION TO DEDICATION, LOYALTY & PERFORMANCE FOR THIS ORGANIZATION..WITHOUT “SIMEON RICE” WE DON’T HAVE THAT MAGICAL YEAR CULMINATING IN OUR 1ST LOMBARDI TROPHY..WITHOUT TOM BRADY, WE DON’T WIN THAT SUPER BOWL HIS 1ST YEAR & BACK TO BACK DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIPS..WITHOUT JON GRUDEN WE DON’T DOMINATE THE RAIDERS LIKE WE DID IN OUR SUPER BOWL VICTORY OF 2002..C’MON GLAZERS ! HAVE A HEART ! IT CAN ONLY BENEFIT YOU GUYS IN THE LONG RUN !..THINK HARD ABOUT IT..PLEASE ! ! !

  35. TOMMY MORDUE Says:

    WHAT ABOUT QB “BRAD JOHNSON: WHO LEAD THE BUCCANEERS TO THEIR FIRST SUPER BOWL TITLE EVER ! , WHAT ABOUT PLACING HIS NAME IN OUR “RING OF HONOR” !

  36. Daniel Hammond Says:

    Hardy Nickerson should definitely be in the Ring of Honor