Mike Alstott

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Michael Joseph Alstott, nicknamed "The A-Train", (born December 21, 1973, Joliet, Illinois), is a former American football fullback in the National Football League. He spent his entire 12-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at Purdue.

In his career, Alstott was selected to six Pro Bowls and earned a Super Bowl ring with the Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII.

He was the cover man for NFL Extreme for the Playstation.

Early years

He lettered in both football and baseball at Joliet Catholic Academy in his hometown of Joliet, Illinois. As a junior, his football team won the state championship with a 14-0 record. Alstott also threw the winning two point conversion in the championship game. He was a Parade football All-American and was recognized as Player of the Year by the Chicago Sun Times.

College career

He holds a B.S. in business. During his tenure at Purdue, Alstott often trained by pushing and pulling a Jeep throughout the campus parking lot.

Professional career

Alstott was regarded as one of the league's best power runners during his career, known for running over defenders and breaking tackles. The 6-time Pro Bowler and 4-time All-Pro was one of the few fullbacks in the league who still carried the ball on a regular basis. Alstott is the leading scorer among non-kickers of the Buccaneers and he leads his team in touchdowns as well. Alstott holds the Buccaneers team record for touchdowns scored with 71 and was well-known as a team player.

He was a member of the Buccaneers team that won Super Bowl XXXVII, played at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA. Alstott had an impressive performance in the game, rushing for 15 yards and a touchdown, the first one in that game, and the first Super Bowl touchdown in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history. He also caught 5 passes for 43 yards.

In the summer of 2007, shortly before he suffered his season ending and ultimately career-ending neck injury, Alstott appeared in a television commercial for ESPN Fantasy Football along with former Buccaneer Warrick Dunn.

Alstott signed a one year deal to stay in Tampa Bay for the 2005 season, and signed a similar contract at the conclusion of the 2006 season after contemplating retirement. However, he spent all of the 2007 season on injured reserve because of neck problems, leading to his retirement on January 24, 2008.

External links

• ESPN.com player profile

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Last updated on Thursday March 13, 2008 at 06:11:29 PDT (GMT -0700)
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