“They Got It Right”
February 26th, 2026
Buccaneers Ring of Honor QB Doug Williams.
Quick nugget here for old school Bucs fans or documentary viewers of all ages who watched Raise The Flags: 50 Years Of Buccaneers Football.
The Tampa Bay story of Bucs quarterback Doug Williams (1978-1982) — including his rise as a rookie, the death of his wife, dealing with racist fans, how teammates felt about him and his unfortunate exit from Tampa courtesy of then-owner Hugh Culverhouse — was a significant part of the documentary on Amazon Prime.
Sensitive subjects in Williams’ life were explored and, while watching it, Joe wondered how Williams felt about the presentation and accuracy.
Well, Joe got to ask Williams late last night in Indianapolis in a hotel lobby near the NFL Scouting Combine.
“They got it right. They really did,” Williams said of his portrayal. Joe pressed Williams on some details and Williams said he truly loved how his story was told. He praised Buccaners owner Ed Glazer for the project.
Joe thinks it’s very cool how Williams, a very straight shooter, feels about the documentary. What a travesty it would have been if a Buccaneers Ring of Honor member felt wronged.
February 26th, 2026 at 10:19 am
#12….He was my guy when I first became a Bucs fan. Happened to meet him out side their old headquarters shack one time when I happened to be driving by there on a vacation with my kids. Pulled over and talked to him for a few minutes and he autographed a Buccaneer magazine for me. I still have it. Took my kid to get a Cadillac Williams jersey and on the way back to the hotel made a wrong turn and there is Doug Williams getting out of his car. Good stuff and he’s a good guy. Glad he won a trophy elsewhere.
February 26th, 2026 at 10:27 am
I remember when Hugh Culverhouse offered Doug a piece of the “Tampasphere” project instead of pay. That project died on the vine and Doug left town. Very sad.Hugh did some greasy things, like what he did to Doug and Bo Jackson. …..no to mention having the university of Tampa kill its football program
February 26th, 2026 at 10:48 am
Joe… you the think the lost decade was bad… the Bo jackson debacle, taking Steve young over Reggie White and the trading Young for a 3, letting Doug walk, and winning the last game of the meaningless 88 season against detroit to miss out on drafting Derrick Thomas or Barry Sanders… man the 80’s were so so bad!
February 26th, 2026 at 10:58 am
Miken, I’m with you bro. But still loved the team and rooted for them every single Sunday, not expecting a win. SAD!
February 26th, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joe, you’ve probably covered this before, but who in your opinion is the Greatest Buccaneer of All Time?
I liked at the end of every episode where key people were asked. I thought Gronk’s answer was really interesting.
February 26th, 2026 at 11:08 am
Doug is one of my favorite Bucs of all time. I get a lot of love from other Bucs fans when I wear his creamsicle #12 to games.
@miken – you nailed it. You could’ve thrown in the Ray Perkins experiment too….19-41 record.
February 26th, 2026 at 11:10 am
Doug Williams was my hero growing up. He was so honest and humble.
Not only a great arm. A great leader. In the face of some very real challenges of the time. He was one of the few black QBs. He was viewed as a novelty.
I often wonder if Doug Williams would have won a SB in Tampa. I don’t think so. Culverhouse was not a great owner.
The Glazers are. Even though I am mad at them for not changing coaches this year.
I have put off watching the documentary. But knowing that they did Doug Williams right makes me now want to see it.
February 26th, 2026 at 11:22 am
Joe, you should do a whole section of the Culverhouse years. They were so bad! Being spoofed on Tampa morning show, PBA (not used to losing franchises), Bo Jackson, trying to get in (can’t remember famous guy’s) wife’s pants. The whole deal was incredibly bad.
February 26th, 2026 at 11:35 am
Bring back the 92 to 96 uniforms with orange pants and more detailed bucs logo. They were sooooo much better the the original throw backs.
February 26th, 2026 at 11:43 am
I was a fan of Doug Williams although a lot of people around me were not. He was fun to watch and no one who ever played for the Bucs played harder.
February 26th, 2026 at 11:58 am
I met Doug at the wrestling matches at Fort Hesterly Amory. He was with a bunch of other Buccaneers at the time. He was extremely nice and funny. I never thought to ask for an autograph because we were just living in the moment.
February 26th, 2026 at 11:59 am
He got to win his Superbowl with the Redskins. His first half of that game was the best Quarterback play I’ve ever seen in a Superbowl.
February 26th, 2026 at 12:13 pm
Great guy. Humble and classy. Culverhouse did him wrong. Miss the days when he used to throw beautiful long passes to Kevin House and TDs to Jimmie Giles.
February 26th, 2026 at 12:36 pm
The ‘79 season was electric. Williams had grit and possibly the best arm in the league.
February 26th, 2026 at 1:21 pm
Not really appreciated until after he left.
February 26th, 2026 at 1:52 pm
Man that’s why we should draft Drew Allar in the 3rd round if he’s they’re this offense is set up perfectly for a young quarterback to sit behind Baker for a year or two if we get to a NFC Championship.
February 26th, 2026 at 1:53 pm
The 1981 Doug Williams to Kevin House was really something. I will never forget Andy Hardy interviewing Williams following the season finale victory over Detroit to win the division which featured a Williams to House TD bomb. Hardy asks why do opposing defenses keep getting burned when they know this play is going to happen.
Doug’s response: well Andy you know it is going to happen but you don’t know WHEN it’s going to happen.
Special moment.