The End of an Era: Gene Deckerhoff, the Iconic Voice of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Retires After 37 Seasons

On December 31, 2025, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced that their legendary radio play-by-play announcer, Gene Deckerhoff, would retire at the conclusion of the 2025 NFL season. At 80 years old, Deckerhoff has been the soundtrack of Buccaneers football for nearly four decades, calling over 750 games and more than 1,100 touchdowns. His unmistakable voice, passionate delivery, and signature phrases have woven themselves into the fabric of the franchise’s history, from the lean years to two Super Bowl triumphs. As the Bucs prepare for what could be his final broadcast, fans across Florida and beyond reflect on a career that ranks among the longest and most distinguished in NFL broadcasting.

Born Emerson Eugene Deckerhoff Jr. on May 2, 1945, in Jacksonville, Florida, Gene’s journey into broadcasting began humbly. He started calling high school and little league games in the 1960s, honing a style that blended enthusiasm, precision, and hometown charm. By the 1970s, he had become a fixture in Tallahassee, serving as sports director for local stations and lending his voice to Florida State University athletics. In 1974, he began announcing Seminoles men’s basketball games, and in 1979, he took over football play-by-play—a role he held until 2022. For over three decades, Deckerhoff juggled double duty, calling both FSU and Buccaneers games, often traveling between Tallahassee and Tampa on the same weekends.

His tenure with the Buccaneers started in 1989, during a transitional period for the franchise. The team was still searching for sustained success after early struggles, but Deckerhoff’s arrival brought stability to the broadcast booth. Over 37 seasons, he became synonymous with the Bucs, outlasting coaches, players, and even ownership changes. His longevity places him third among active NFL play-by-play announcers, behind only Philadelphia’s Merrill Reese and Dallas’ Brad Sham. By the end of 2025, Deckerhoff will have narrated more than 800 Buccaneers games, including preseason, regular season, and playoffs.

Deckerhoff’s voice wasn’t just informative; it was emotional. He had a knack for elevating moments, turning routine plays into memorable theater. His signature call—”Touchdown, Tampa Bay!”—boomed over the radio more than 1,100 times, becoming a rallying cry for fans. At home games in Raymond James Stadium, he popularized “Fire the cannons!” a phrase now echoed by the stadium’s actual cannons after every score. These calls weren’t scripted; they emerged organically from his deep passion for the game and the team.

Some of Deckerhoff’s most iconic moments came during the Buccaneers’ greatest triumphs. In Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003, as Derrick Brooks intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown to seal the victory over the Oakland Raiders, Deckerhoff exclaimed, “There it is! The dagger’s in! We’re going to win the Super Bowl!” That line, forever known as “the dagger,” captured the euphoria of Tampa Bay’s first championship. Nearly two decades later, in Super Bowl LV in 2021, Deckerhoff called the Bucs’ dominant 31-9 win over the Kansas City Chiefs—the first time a team won a Super Bowl in its home stadium. His voice carried the historic weight of Tom Brady’s seventh ring and the franchise’s second Lombardi Trophy.

Other unforgettable calls dotted his career. There was “Alstott up the gut!” celebrating Mike Alstott’s bruising runs during the late 1990s and early 2000s. In 2007, when Micheal Spurlock returned a kickoff for the franchise’s first-ever such touchdown, Deckerhoff urged, “Run, Micheal, run!” And who could forget Matt Bryant’s 62-yard game-winning field goal against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2006, a moment Deckerhoff described with breathless excitement.

But Deckerhoff’s impact went beyond highlights. During the Bucs’ darker periods—the 0-26 start as an expansion team, the creamcicle uniform era, the playoff droughts—he provided continuity and hope. Fans tuned in not just for the game updates but for his authentic enthusiasm. He formed bonds with color commentators, most notably Dave Moore, his partner for the last 19 years. Together, they painted vivid pictures for listeners unable to watch on TV, especially in an era before widespread streaming.

Deckerhoff’s dual role with Florida State added to his legend. From 1979 to 2022, he called over 500 Seminoles football games and countless basketball contests, witnessing national championships in 1993, 1999, and 2013 under coaches Bobby Bowden and Jimbo Fisher. His FSU calls, like “Touchdown, Florida State!” mirrored his Bucs style. Retiring from Seminoles broadcasts in 2022 allowed him to focus solely on the Buccaneers, extending his NFL run.

Accolades poured in over the years. Deckerhoff earned 17 Florida Sportscaster of the Year awards and the National Football Foundation’s Chris Schenkel Award in 2013 for excellence in play-by-play. He was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame (2000), Florida State University Athletics Hall of Fame (2002), Florida Community College Activities Association Hall of Fame (2004), and the inaugural Florida Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame (2024). These honors recognize not just his talent but his dedication to Florida sports.

In his retirement statement, Deckerhoff reflected with gratitude: “Calling Buccaneers games has been one of the greatest honors of my professional career. 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 will miss doing what I love, but now is the right time to step away.”

Buccaneers owner Bryan Glazer praised him: “For 37 seasons, Gene Deckerhoff’s voice has set the scene for the most iconic moments in our franchise’s history, and his signature calls will forever resonate with Buccaneers fans. His passion, authenticity, and unmistakable voice created memories that have been cherished and enjoyed by countless generations of Buccaneers fans.”

As the 2025 season winds down—with the Bucs needing wins to extend their campaign—fans savor Deckerhoff’s final calls. Whether it’s a regular-season finale or a deep playoff run, his voice will echo one last time. Replays of his greatest moments will live on in NFL Films, highlight reels, and fans’ memories. Gene Deckerhoff didn’t just announce games; he embodied the spirit of Tampa Bay Buccaneers football.

The microphone passes to a new voice, but Deckerhoff’s legacy ensures that whenever Bucs fans hear “Touchdown, Tampa Bay!” in their minds, it’ll always sound just like him. Fire the cannons—one final time—for the Voice of the Buccaneers.