Simeon Rice takes his place in the Bucs' Ring of Honor Simeon Rice, one of the best defensive players in Bucs history, was inducted into the team's Ring of Honor on Sunday. "I stand here as a man (based) in faith, shaped by struggle and crowned by this city," Rice said from midfield at halftime, flanked by his former teammates and coaches, family and a massive replica of the Vince Lombardi Trophy. I am forever a Tampa Bay Buccaneer." Jon Gruden, Rice's coach for the majority of his time in Tampa Bay, presented Rice with a red Ring of Honor jacket. Many around the organization believe Rice is worthy of a gold Pro Football Hall of Fame jacket, too. Rice's name and No. 97 jersey are now displayed on the east side of Raymond James Stadium, to the right of its signature pirate ship and next to Gruden's spot in the Ring. Rice, who spent six seasons in Tampa, is the 16th member of the exclusive club. The Chicago native and University of Illinois product had the best moments of his 12-year career with the Bucs. The defensive end was a key part of Tampa Bay's Super Bowl 37-clinching team and was named to the Pro Bowl three times in his career, including twice as a Buc. In his halftime speech, Rice described his career as "a body of work that speaks for a lifetime." Rice posted 12.5 sacks as a rookie with the Cardinals and went on to have double-digit sack seasons in seven of his next nine seasons, including 15.5 with Tampa Bay in 2002 and 15 more in 2003, en route to the Super Bowl. During his prime in Tampa Bay, he was as prolific a pass rusher as any, earning All-Pro honors in 2002. Rice said that while he never lacked in confidence or ability, his time in Tampa Bay allowed him to elevate his game to an even higher echelon. He credited his coaches, namely Tony Dungy, Gruden and Rod Marinelli, as well as his teammates for enabling him to do so. In Tampa Bay, Rice starred while surrounded with an abundance of defensive talent. The 2003 Super Bowl champion defense also featured linebacker Derrick Brooks, defensive tackle Warren Sapp, cornerback Ronde Barber and safety John Lynch, who all have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. "You couldn't even stand in that room if you weren't special," Rice, 51, said. "To be one of the anchors, you had to be a different type of animal, and I believe I was. That room was very competitive. We were all out to crystallize and put our names at the highest level of this game." Brooks, Sapp, Barber and Lynch were among the Top 10 on the Bucs' all-time greatest players list released earlier this year in celebration of the franchise's 50th season. Rice came in at No. 14, the eighth-highest-ranked defensive player. "Simeon took us from great to historical," Brooks said in a video tribute before Rice took the podium. Rice led the Bucs out of the tunnel before Sunday's game against the Cardinals and was commemorated by numerous video tributes from his former teammates and coaches throughout the first half. "To be honored like this, it's amazing," Rice said. "I just feel like I'm a vessel. I carry the torch and the spirit of all of those I have played with, that have supported me. We all go up together." Nicolas Villamil, Tampa Bay Times, published 30 November 2025