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Bucs to create Ring of Honor, wear orange uniforms in 2009

By Rick Stroud and Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writers
In print: Friday, October 17, 2008

Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks will get to wear an orange uniform again next season.
	[Times (1996)]

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TAMPA — The Bucs are planning a Ring of Honor next year and will wear their throwback orange jerseys once in 2009, the team confirmed Thursday.

Next season marks the 30th anniversary of the 1979 team that won the NFC Central for its first playoff berth and fell one victory shy of the Super Bowl.

The Glazer family revamped the franchise after purchasing it in 1995, with the move to red and pewter uniforms and an overhauled logo two years later serving as centerpieces of its changes.

Details on the Ring of Honor aren't known, and no date for donning the throwback uniforms has been announced.

Former Bucs QB Doug Williams, who works in the pro personnel department, said the club should start by honoring those who played during the first few seasons.

"You've got guys that have been out there for 30 years, 25 years that probably should've been recognized," Williams said. "I think you've got to bring them, and then you've got to bring the new wave. There was a 15-year gap when it was hard to pick somebody.

"It'll be welcomed by a lot of folks. I want to see that stadium when they say, 'Let's orange it out.' Can you imagine what an eerie feeling it would be to walk in that stadium and everybody has an orange T-shirt on?"

LB Derrick Brooks, a first-round pick in 1995, is the only current Buc who wore an orange uniform. He has been a proponent of the Ring of Honor and recognizes the significance of unveiling it on the 30th anniversary of the 1979 team, which lost the NFC title game to the Rams.

"That was the most successful season for our franchise (to that point), so I understand the timing," Brooks said.

"I'm just grateful for it, and I'm prayerful that I'll be around to see it happen."

FIGHTING WORDS: After making a crack about the age of some Bucs defenders, the words of Seahawks RB Julius Jones were posted on the door of the locker room by 14-year veteran DE Kevin Carter, who's 35.

"They're smart players, and what you have to do with those guys is kind of beat them athletically," Jones said. "I know a couple of guys are up there in age."

While Carter said he might have an extra gear Sunday, Brooks dismissed the comment.

"If that's what we need to get motivated to play, I'm not doing my job as a leader," Brooks said. "Those comments are not going to add any more motivation than what we already have."

INJURIES: WR Joey Galloway returned to practice and looks like he could play Sunday. He has missed the past four games with a sprained right foot. G Arron Sears (knee), K Matt Bryant (hamstring) and QB Brian Griese (elbow) were limited. FB B.J. Askew (hamstring) and WR Maurice Stovall (hamstring) sat out.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I've nicknamed him the 'White Tiger.' He's rare. He only comes out at Busch Gardens once every six months. But now it's kind of like he's the saber-toothed tiger. He's been extinct. We need him back." — Bucs coach Jon Gruden on Galloway.