Simeon Rice Joins Bucs’ Ring of Honor: A Pass-Rushing Legend Gets His Due
On Sunday, one of the fiercest defensive forces in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history took his rightful place among the franchise’s all-time greats. Simeon Rice, the relentless edge rusher who helped anchor one of the most dominant defenses of the early 2000s, was officially inducted into the Buccaneers’ Ring of Honor at halftime of the team’s home game.
Standing at midfield, flanked by family, former teammates, coaches, and a towering replica of the Vince Lombardi Trophy, Rice soaked in the moment. “I stand here as a man based in faith, shaped by struggle and crowned by this city,” he said, his voice echoing through Raymond James Stadium. “I am forever a Tampa Bay Buccaneer.”
Rice is now the 16th member of the Bucs’ Ring of Honor, with his name and iconic No. 97 jersey unveiled on the stadium’s east side, right next to the team’s trademark pirate ship and alongside the name of his former head coach, Jon Gruden. Fittingly, it was Gruden who presented Rice with the ceremonial red Ring of Honor jacket-though many around the organization believe Rice’s résumé is worthy of an even more exclusive garment: a gold Pro Football Hall of Fame jacket.
A Career Built on Relentless Pressure
Rice’s numbers speak for themselves. After bursting onto the scene with 12.5 sacks as a rookie in Arizona, he went on to record double-digit sack totals in seven of the next nine seasons. But it was in Tampa Bay where he reached his peak-and where his impact was felt most deeply.
In 2002, Rice racked up 15.5 sacks, followed by another 15 in 2003. Those weren’t just big numbers-they were game-changing performances that helped propel the Buccaneers to their first Super Bowl title in franchise history. That 2002 defense is still one of the most revered units the NFL has seen, and Rice was a central figure in its dominance.
“During my time here, I was surrounded by greatness,” Rice said, referencing the talent around him. And he wasn’t exaggerating.
That Super Bowl-winning defense featured three future Hall of Famers: linebacker Derrick Brooks, cornerback Ronde Barber, and safety John Lynch. Rice may not have his bust in Canton yet, but his peers know just how essential he was to that group.
“You couldn’t even stand in that room if you weren’t special,” Rice said of the defensive meeting rooms back then. “To be one of the anchors, you had to be a different type of animal, and I believe I was.”
Elevating a Championship Defense
Rice didn’t just fit into that defense-he elevated it. His speed off the edge, explosive first step, and relentless motor made him a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. He forced offenses to account for him on every snap, and his presence helped open things up for the rest of the unit.
Derrick Brooks, in a video tribute played before Rice’s speech, summed it up best: “Simeon took us from great to historical.”
That’s not hyperbole. Before Rice arrived in Tampa Bay, the Bucs were already known for their stingy defense.
But his addition gave them a fearsome pass-rushing threat that turned pressures into sacks, and sacks into game-changing plays. In a league where disrupting the quarterback is everything, Rice was the closer.
A Legacy Cemented
Rice’s time in Tampa Bay lasted six seasons, but his impact was lasting. He was a two-time Pro Bowler with the Bucs, a Super Bowl champion, and now, a permanent part of the franchise’s legacy.
Earlier this year, he was ranked No. 14 on the Bucs’ all-time greatest players list as part of the team’s 50th season celebration-eighth among defensive players. That’s no small feat, considering the defensive legends who’ve worn the pewter and red.
In his speech, Rice reflected on his journey and the support system that helped him reach the top. He credited coaches Tony Dungy, Jon Gruden, and Rod Marinelli for sharpening his game, and he made it clear that this honor wasn’t his alone.
“To be honored like this ... it’s amazing,” he said. “I just feel like I’m a vessel.
I carry the torch and the spirit of all of those I have played with, that have supported me. We all go up together.”
Before kickoff, Rice led the team out of the tunnel-one last run in front of the home crowd, this time not chasing quarterbacks, but soaking in the applause of a fanbase that never forgot his impact.
For a player who once terrorized offenses with a mix of speed, power, and swagger, Sunday was about something different: recognition, reflection, and legacy. Simeon Rice may not have his gold jacket yet, but in Tampa Bay, he’s already enshrined in greatness.