After an illustrious 37 year career, the voice of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is hanging up the headsets and microphone.
Gene Deckerhoff annonuced last Wednesday that this Sunday’s game against the Panthers would be the last game he will call for the Bucs. He has become famous for several key catchphrases, the most enduring being his “Touchdown, Tampa Bay!” calls that he used in both of the Bucs’ Super Bowl victories.
Deckerhoff has already called over 8,000 Bucs games and called over 1,100 touchdowns in his career as well. His 37 years rank third all time as a radio broadcaster, only trailing the Eagles‘ Merrill Reese and the Cowboys‘ Brad Sham. He has built a highly unique bond with the Bucs’ fanbase and will remain a beloved figure by all involved with the franchise.
A Career Defined by Longevity and Legacy
“Calling Buccaneers games has been one of the greatest honors of my professional career,” said Deckerhoff. “I’ve had the fortune to form meaningful relationships with players, coaches and staff members as well as interact with thousands of Buccaneers fans everywhere in the world. My wife, Ann, and I are grateful to the Glazer family for allowing us to be a part of the Buccaneers organization for so many wonderful years. I am equally thankful to all the members of the radio crew and the partners I have had with me through the years– particularly Dave Moore, who has been by my side for the past 19 years. I will miss doing what I love, but now is the right time to step away.”
Deckerhoff’s broadcasting influence extends far beyond his career in Tampa however. From 1979 to 2021, he was also the voice of the Florida State Seminoles as well as being a local sports director for local television in the Tallahassee area.
He has won the Florida Sportscaster of the Year award 16 times and was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. He is only the fourth broadcaster to ever accept that prestigious honor.
Calls That Will Echo Forever
The calls that will most live on in Bucs’ fans minds that came from Deckerhoff’s magical mouth are already probably from their two Super Bowl victories. None will perhaps be more enduring than his call of Derrick Brooks’ pick six to clinch Super Bowl XXXVII. “There it is! The dagger’s in! We’re going to win the Super Bowl!” , Deckerhoff proclaimed as Brooks raced to the end zone.
Another famous call stemmed form a huge 71 yard gain by Joe Jurevicius in the 2002 NFC Championship Game, when Deckerhoff shouted “You go, Joe!” as Jurevicius raced down the field, perhaps aided by thoughts of his ill infant son.
Lastly, one will never forget his call on one of the biggest plays in Bucs franchise history: Ronde Barber’s 92 yard interception return for a touchdown to send the Bucs to their first ever Super Bowl: “Gone! Coast to Coast, Rondé Barber!”
The voice of Gene Deckerhoff will almost certainly be missed, but will never be forgotten in the annals of Bucs history. A voice that has called over three quarters of the Bucs’ games will always live on.
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