Simeon Rice: A Prominent Hall of Fame Candidate, According to the Buccaneers
Bryan Glazer, co-owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has expressed his opinion on Simeon Rice’s career, highlighting his deservingness for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Glazer emphasized that it is time to recognize Rice’s outstanding career.
The announcement was made on Monday, coinciding with Rice’s designation as the newest member of the Buccaneers’ Ring of Honor. The induction ceremony is scheduled for November 30, during the game against the Arizona Cardinals, the team with which Rice began his career.
From 1996 to 2005, Rice accumulated a total of 101.5 sacks, the best mark in the league in those eight years, surpassing Hall of Famers like Michael Strahan and Jason Taylor.
Bryan Glazer, co-owner of the Buccaneers
Glazer highlighted that, during the mentioned period, Rice achieved eight seasons with double digits in sacks, the seventh-best mark in NFL history. In addition, six players who surpass Rice on this list are already members of the Hall of Fame.
Rice, 51, was one of 50 semifinalists for the Hall of Fame class of 2025, but did not make the finals. He currently ranks 21st on the all-time list of leading catchers.
In his own words, Rice has expressed that he no longer feels the burden of not being in the Hall of Fame. The news of his induction into the Ring of Honor has been a consolation to him.
The Buccaneers organization has backed Rice, considering his inclusion in the Ring of Honor as an important step towards his possible induction into the Hall of Fame, as happened with John Lynch and Ronde Barber.
Rice, selected in the 1996 draft, won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award and was named a Pro Bowler on several occasions. His performance was crucial in leading the Buccaneers to victory in Super Bowl XXXVII.
With 69.5 sacks for Tampa Bay, Rice ranks third in team history, behind Lee Roy Selmon and Warren Sapp.
