Legendary Voice Of The Bucs Gene Deckerhoff To Retire

Deckerhoff was the voice of the Bucs for two Super Bowls, eight division titles and 12 playoff appearances. With Wednesday’s announcement of his retirement at the end of the season, Saturday’s contest between Tampa Bay and Carolina could be his final game in the booth. However, if the Bucs win and the Saints beat the Falcons on Sunday, Deckerhoff will get to add a ninth division title and a 13th playoff appearance to his resume and call at least one more game next weekend.

“Calling Buccaneers games has been one of the greatest honors of my professional career,” Deckerhoff said in a press release. “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.”

Gene Deckerhoff Deserves To Be In The Bucs Ring Of Honor

Gene Deckerhoff has earned countless honors and accolades throughout his illustrious career as a play-by-play broadcaster. It’s a career that covered more than six decades, as he also served as the play-by-play voice of the Florida State Seminoles from 1979-2021.

Over the years, Deckerhoff has earned 17 Florida Sportscaster of the Year awards. He was honored with the National Football Foundation’s Chris Schenkel Award in 2013, which is an award presented annually to a broadcaster who has demonstrated long-time excellence in play-by-play announcing.

Deckerhoff was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 2000, becoming just the fourth broadcaster to receive that honor, plus he is a member of the Florida State University Athletics Hall of Fame (2002), Florida Community College Activities Hall of Fame (2004) and Florida Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame (2024).

Up next should be an induction into the Buccaneers Ring of Honor inside Raymond James Stadium.

Thus far, there have been 16 inductees into the Bucs Ring of Honor. There have been 10 players, five coaches and one owner inducted since the inception of the Ring of Honor in 2009. There’s no question that Gene Deckerhoff should become the first broadcaster to see his name immortalized inside Raymond James Stadium.

Just think of the most iconic moments in Bucs history and chances are, you’ll immediately have Deckerhoff’s call come to mind.

“There it is, the dagger’s in, we’re gonna win the Super Bowl!”

“Gone! Coast to coast, Rondé Barber!”

“You go, Joe! You go, Joe!”

“Run, Michael, run!”

“Good! Good! Good! The Bucs beat the Eagles! Matt Bryant is my hero!”

“Alstott up the gut!”

Not to mention, there’s Deckerhoff’s signature “Touchdown Tampa Bay!” call, as well as the fact that he coined the “Fire the Cannons!” phrase the Bucs have embraced over the years.

Yeah, there’s no question that the iconic voice of the Bucs deserves to have his name alongside other franchise legends — and it’s an honor that should come as soon as 2026.

In fact, the only question is who will introduce Deckerhoff on his Ring of Honor induction day, as he has long been the one to serve in that role for previous inductees. Perhaps Dave Moore, the former Bucs tight end and Deckerhoff’s broadcast partner for the last 19 years, will get the honor.

After all these years, it’s hard to imagine what a Bucs radio broadcast will sound like without Deckerhoff on the call. But that’s something that can wait until the 2026 season. For now, Saturday marks one more call for the franchise’s legendary voice.

Can’t wait ‘til toe hits leather.