FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BUCS-19                 2/25/02
 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers left guard Randall McDaniel today announced his retirement from the club, thus ending a storied 14-year career in the National Football League.

McDaniel, regarded as one of the NFL’s finest offensive lineman, was named a starter to a league-record 12 consecutive Pro Bowls (1989-2000). His 202 consecutive starts are the second-most among active NFL players.

“It truly has been a privilege to have been associated with a player and a person such as Randall McDaniel,” said Buccaneers General Manager Rich McKay. “He epitomizes greatness with his superior play, leadership, and his off the field community contributions. The Buccaneers wish Randall and his wife Marianne well.”

McDaniel, a native of Phoenix, Arizona, spent the first 12 years of his career (1988-1999) with the Minnesota Vikings. McDaniel holds the Viking mark of 11 Pro Bowl appearances, breaking Hall of Fame defensive end Alan Page’s mark of nine. Additionally, McDaniel has blocked for five 1,000-yard rushers and four 3,000-yard passers in his career. During what surely will be a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Fame career, McDaniel has earned All-Pro nods from Sports Illustrated (2), The Sporting News (7), USA Today (4), and Pro Football Weekly (5).

“I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to come to Tampa and play for Coach Dungy. It gave me the chance to work with a wonderful group of people who shared my passion for the game of football,” said McDaniel. “In many ways, my time as a Buccaneer brought my career full circle. It was an honor to share the field with such a talented group of players and coaches.”

“To Coach Foerster and my line mates, I say thanks for letting an ‘old man’ have a little fun! To Coach Gruden, his staff and the entire Buc team, I wish nothing but success. My NFL experience has far exceeded anything I ever could have imagined. It has been an incredible journey. Now, it’s time to end this chapter of my life. I thank the Buccaneer Organization and all the fabulous Tampa Bay fans for making the ‘final pages’ so enjoyable.”

As in Minnesota, McDaniel was very active in the Tampa Bay community. An aspiring educator, he has spent a considerable amount of time during his offseasons in the Robbinsdale (MN) Public School system in preparation for a teaching career.

“To the Tampa Bay community, my wife Marianne and I give our heartfelt appreciation for your warm welcome and unwavering support. We treasure the opportunity we had to work with Kanga Krewe, the Children’s Cancer Center and the Academy students at Metropolitan Ministries.”

“On behalf of our organization, I’d like to thank Randall for all of his efforts and wish him and Marianne the best as he begins his retirement from professional football,” said Buccaneers Executive Vice President Joel Glazer. “Randall is all class. He’s a great player who will be very successful as an educator.”

NOTE: Mr. McDaniel will be available via conference call at 4:45 P.M. (EST) on Tuesday, February 26 for members of the Tampa Bay press at One Buccaneer Place. Please contact a member of the Buccaneers Communications Department for more information.