NFL

Alstott, Mike

CARDS: Press Pass 1995, Upper Deck College Legends 2011
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o The Mike Alstott Foundation*
SENT: 1/11/21 RECEIVED: 2/8/21 (28 days)
* Donation Enclosed

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Mike Alstott played fullback at Purdue from 1992-’95.
  • Well lauded, at the end of his time with the Boilermakers, Alstott held virtually all the school’s rushing records.
  • He ran for 3,635 yards on 644 carries and 39 TDs over 4 years.
  • Mike was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft.
  • In his rookie campaign he only ran for 377 yards, but caught a career high 65 passes for 557 yards.
  • The Bucs decided ultimately to utilize Alstott as a powerback- where he’d compliment RB Warrick Dunn, whom Tampa drafted the following season.
  • Although classified as a fullback, Mike’s numbers slowly grew over his career, culminating in 1999 when he ran for a career high 949 yards on 242 carries.
  • 2001, saw him rush for a career high 10 TDs.
  • During that season he passed former Bucs great James Wilder on the franchise career rushing TDs list.
  • But by 2002, Mike’s physical style of play began to really take its toll.
  • As injuries mounted, Mike was relegated to more of a traditional fullback role.
  • In 2007, he spent the entire season on IR after suffering a neck injury.
  • He’d retire after playing his entire career with the Buccaneers before the 2008 season.

ACCOLADES:

  • All Pro 1997-’99
  • Second Team All Pro 1996
  • Pro Bowl 1997-’02
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ring of Honor
  • Purdue Athletics Hall of Fame
  • Indiana Football Hall of Fame

NOTES:

Mike was a powerful downhill runner that reminded me of powerbacks of lore like Earl Campbell. He had a take no prisoners style about him that was very popular with the Bucs faithful.

He’s been nominated to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but at this time hasn’t been inducted because MIke’s statistics aren’t sexy enough, and because he was classified as a fullback. He is considered one of the greatest fullbacks in NFL history.

I had sent to Mike after seeing a success on him in 2021. Back then I was lightning fast at sending TTMs out, so I got lucky on Alstott. He doesn’t really sign TTM anymore, or he’s so far out of the budget of the everyday man, it’s just not worth anyone’s time anymore.

I really liked his Press Pass card, so this one was a treat to get. The Upper Deck College Legends was something I’ve flirted with set chasing, but this one was a bit disappointing as Mike’s just standing there with his hands on hips.

For some reason since 2021, I’d just kept kicking the can down the road on publishing this success. With apologies- I don’t know why.

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