Buccaneers legend to be placed in Bucs Ring of Honor

Originally posted on Tampa Bay Buccaneers on SI
By Collin Haalboom | Last updated May 15, 2025 9:56 AM ET

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the early 2000s are rightfully recognized as one of the greatest defenses in NFL history. Monte Kiffin's group was absolutely loaded with talent at all levels, and they proved to be an unstoppable force as they dominated their competition before eventually eviscerating the Oakland Raiders by a score of 48-21 in Super Bowl 37.

It was the first Super Bowl victory for the Tampa Bay Buccanees and their fans.

The majority of defensive players from that champiopnship team have since received their due respect, including Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, John Lynch and Ronde Barber, each of whom has not only been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but the Bucs' Ring of Honor as well. Head coach Jon Gruden and Defensive Coordinator Monte Kiffin are also members of the Buccaneers' Ring of Honor, with their names displayed prominently along the walls of Raymond James Stadium.

Although it's impossible to acknowledge every contributor from that era of Buccaneers football, until today, one key player has remained on the outside looking in. That player is Simeon Rice, and on Thursday, news broke that he would finally be inducted into the Bucs Ring of Honor, per the Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud.

BREAKING: Simeon Rice to become newest member of Bucs Ring of Honor https://t.co/Ps8jRzQrE1
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) May 15, 2025

Rice was a dominant player off the edge for the Buccaneers, and he remains one of the more underrated players from that era. Rice led the NFL in sacks from 1998-2005, and by the time he had retired, he had totalled an impressive 122 sacks — the vast majority coming in a Buccaneers uniform. He was a one-time First Team All-Pro and a two-time Pro Bowler.

Whether or not Rice will ever hear his name called to join the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, there's no question that this honor from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' franchise was long overdue.