Sometimes the best things come to those who wait, and for Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield, Jr. that proved to be true.
On Friday, Winfield, Jr. was named first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press, and his very candid reaction was recorded during a conversation with AP writer Rob Maaddi.
The joy on the face of the Buccaneers' standout defender is unmistakable upon receiving the news.
"It means a lot," Winfield, Jr. said. "Coming into the season it was one of my goals to be All-Pro, and - man, I'm still kind of taking it in. It's crazy. I put the work in, and it's just cool to see how everything played out just throughout the season, so I'm blessed. I appreciate it.
Winfield, Jr. is having one of the greatest seasons in recent NFL history by a defensive back. He's totaled 122 combined tackles, 6 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, and 3 interceptions, marking the first time since 1999 that a player recorded 100+ tackles and 3 or more in all other categories. Two of those forced fumbles also came in highlight fashion against the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers, when he jarred the ball loose from Desmond Ridder and DJ Chark, respectively, as they were going in for sure fire touchdowns.
Winfield, Jr. was snubbed for Pro Bowl honors, being passed over in favor of Atlanta's Jessie Bates and Arizona's Budda Baker. Baker posted a zero in all of the aforementioned statistical categories in 2023 except for combined tackles, of which he recorded 87 for the 4-13 Cardinals.
However, it was Winfield, Jr. who earned the biggest prize of all. Now the Buccaneers have to find a way to keep the rising star in Tampa to keep making plays for years to come.
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