Twenty-five years in the past, ESPN got here out with a listing of the highest 100 skilled athletes of the twentieth century. 1 / 4 of the way in which into the twenty first century, it was one thing that they revisited. With loads of worthy contenders throughout a wide range of skilled sports activities, it’s a dialog that’s positive to spark loads of debate.
Whilst you can take a look at the complete checklist that ESPN simply got here out with, two former Bucs gamers had been featured. With loads of star gamers having performed for the franchise within the twenty first century on the group’s 2002 and 2020 Tremendous Bowl-winning groups, who made the minimize?
Tom Brady Comes In The Prime 5 Of ESPN’s Prime 100 Listing
Michael Phelps. Serena Williams. Lionel Messi. Lebron James. Tom Brady.
All have a convincing case to be thought-about essentially the most achieved skilled athlete of the twenty first century.
Phelps and his 28 Olympic medals, together with 23 gold medals. Williams and her 23 main titles. Messi’s embellished profession capped by a 2022 World Cup victory. James being the NBA’s all-time main scorer and 20-time all-star.
Former Patriots and Bucs QB Tom Brady – Photograph by: USA In the present day
However along with his seven Tremendous Bowl rings and holding league information for passing yards (89,214) and touchdowns (649), Brady has undoubtedly carved his legacy as the perfect participant in NFL historical past. On ESPN’s checklist, he slides in at fifth behind every of those athletes, with Mike Reiss doing the writeup that features what Invoice Belichick, the previous Patriots head coach who Brady teamed up with to win six championships, needed to say.
When Brady was requested which of his seven Tremendous Bowl rings was his favourite, he was keen on answering: “The following one.” That sums up the participant whom Invoice Belichick known as the “final winner” who typically performed his greatest when the stakes had been highest. Belichick famous how Brady entered the NFL as a sixth-round choose “with little to no fanfare” and left “as essentially the most profitable participant in league historical past.” Mentioned Belichick: “His relentless pursuit of excellence drove him every day. His work ethic and want to win had been each motivational and inspirational to teammates and coaches alike.”
Bucs WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and former QB Tom Brady – Photograph by: USA In the present day
In taking a look at this checklist, it’s laborious to argue towards any of the highest skilled athletes and their placement, however Tom Brady coming in at fifth is stunning. Enjoying a very powerful place for arguably the best dynasty the NFL has ever seen and being essentially the most achieved participant doing it, he has a real case to be No. 1.
What would possibly transfer him additional down the checklist is that he did it in a bigger group sport reasonably than simply individually, as Michael Phelps and Serena Williams did all through their careers. Nonetheless, there is no such thing as a denying that Brady left a long-lasting footprint for what he did with the Patriots for 20 years – and a ultimate championship in turning across the Bucs earlier than using off into the sundown after the 2022 season.
Darelle Revis Sneaks Into The Prime 100
Coming in at No. 96 on the checklist is 2023 Corridor of Fame inductee Darelle Revis. Whereas Revis was a star largely recognized for his “Revis Island” tenure with the Jets, he made a short one-season cameo with the Bucs in 2013. It was a season wherein he made the Professional Bowl after recording 50 complete tackles, two interceptions, and two compelled fumbles.
Former Bucs HC Greg Schiano and CB Darrelle Revis – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
It was largely a forgettable season for the franchise as they went 4-12, however he was one of many vibrant spots on a protection that additionally featured two first-team All-Execs in Lavonte David and Gerald McCoy. ESPN’s Wealthy Cimini mentioned this about one of many prime shutdown corners of his technology.
Revis took man-to-man protection to a brand new stage in 2009 when the Jets’ teaching employees made the unconventional determination to place him on the opponents’ prime receiver with no security assist. He was on his personal island, so to talk, spawning the “Revis Island” moniker. The end result was probably the greatest cornerback seasons in historical past. Revis held Andre Johnson, Randy Moss (twice) and Terrell Owens (twice) — all Corridor of Famers — below 35 receiving yards. He did the identical to Torry Holt, Steve Smith Sr., Reggie Wayne and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson. He completed with six interceptions and a staggering 31 passes defended, incomes the primary of 4 first-team All-Professional alternatives.
Did Any Different Former Bucs Have A Case?
Bucs Corridor of Fame CB Ronde Barber and Corridor of Famers Warren Sapp, Tony Dungy, Derrick Brooks and John Lynch – Photograph by: USA In the present day
Whereas the 2 former Bucs that made the checklist are largely recognized for his or her time on different groups, it does increase the query if the group has every other gamers deserving of being listed. If this checklist was of the Prime 100 NFL gamers of the twenty first century, the likes of Ronde Barber and Derrick Brooks will surely be included.
Barber, a fellow 2023 Corridor of Fame inductee alongside Revis, recorded 43 of his 47 interceptions this millennium whereas making 5 Professional Bowls and three first-team All-Professional groups. Barber was a real ballhawk and paired that was plus tackling and pass-rushing capacity for his place.
Brooks has his personal gold jacket and bust in Canton, Ohio after being inducted in 2014. A longtime staple within the late Monte Kiffin’s revolutionary Tampa Bay protection, he gained the 2002 AP Defensive Participant of the 12 months main one of the vital iconic defenses in NFL historical past. That yr will all the time maintain a particular place for the franchise, however from 2000 till his retirement in 2008, he made seven straight Professional Bowls and 4 first-team All-Professional groups.
Whereas every of them simply missed the minimize on ESPN’s checklist, the Bucs weren’t utterly missing illustration in some kind.
