Buccaneers legend Mike Alstott recognized as Community Hero by Tampa Bay Lightning

If you’re a fan of the Buccaneers, it’s more than likely that you were—and still are—a huge fan of Mike Alstott. The powerful fullback, who was with Tampa Bay from 1996-2007, has long been a fan favorite. Of course, it’s not hard to see why.

On the field, Alstott was an absolute force. Everyone fondly remembers the way he used to run through defenders and dive over the goal line for Buccaneer touchdowns. But it’s who he is off the field that completes his profile as a legend in the eyes of the Tampa Bay fan base. Alstott has always been committed to making an impact in the community, and that has only continued since his retirement in 2008.

Recently, the Tampa Bay Lightning recognized the A-Train as its 37th Community Hero of the 2019-20 season, presenting his foundation—the Mike Alstott Family Foundation—with a $50,000 grant.

As Lightning play-by-play announcer Rick Peckham mentions in the video above, Alstott has done so much to enrich the lives of families across the Tampa Bay area ever since he was drafted in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He has delivered Thanksgiving dinners to fire stations, visited children’s hospitals, played flag football with Wounded Warriors and hosted bowling events to benefit Special Olympics.

More recently, amid the hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Alstott and his team have put together care packages for first responders, donated playground equipment and distance learning headphones to kids in need and supported the area’s frontline workers.

That’s just awesome stuff from Alstott and his foundation. On behalf of the Bucs Nation crew and the Tampa Bay community, cheers to you, A-Train. Thank you for the impact you’re making in our community.