Paul Gruber - MR. D-E-P-E-N-D-A-B-L-E

The selection of Paul Gruber by the Bucs really separates the casual, fairweather Bucs Fans from the hardcore, faithful Bucs fans.  Anybody who really followed our team knew how good, important, professional, and DEPENDABLE, Mr. Paul Gruber was. 

Just listen to Bucs Co-Chairman Bryan Glazer's quote from Tampa Bay's Gruber press release, and he sums it up simply, but spot-on truthfully.  "Paul was a Buccaneer Man, before we talked about Buccaneer Men.  He went on to become everything you would want in a left tackle or family man; dependable, dependable, dependable."

How dependable was he?  He played every single down of the first 4,580 snaps of his pro career.  In 1989, his second season in the league, he played the entire season without getting a holding penalty.  As a Left Tackle, who faces every opposing teams' best pass-rusher, that is an AMAZING feat in itself.  He played every game, of every season he was in the league, until his sixth season.  Another feat which is nearly unheard of in the NFL for Offensive Linemen.  Through his entire career, every single game he played in, he played as the starter.  12 years in the NFL, playing the most unapologetic position in the sport, and even playing on those terrible teams of the late 80's/early 90's, he still received accolades and acclaim from his peers, pundits, and the league itself.  He was 3-time All Pro, garnering one 1st team honor in 1996, and two 2nd team honors in 1990 and 1992.  He was named a Pro Bowler in 1997 as well, when the Bucs turned the corner from losing to winning consistently.  In 1995, Sports Illustrated, while naming their own All-Pro team, called Gruber "The finest line prospect the Bucs have ever had."  If he had played his career with any of the bigger names in the league, i.e. the Packers, Steelers, Cowboys, Giants, etc, he would have been a 1st ballot Hall of Famer.  He was that good.

There is a side to him that is not being mentioned by any other publications, blogs, newspapers, television reports, etc.  This is a man who had a huge heart, and was supremely unselfish with his monetary resources obtained from his years in the league.  He teamed up with a local charity, run by former Bears and Bucs player Tyrone Keys, called All-Sports Community Service, who's mission was to "offer challenged youth the opportunity to determine their own destiny through scholastic achievement, community service, and sports.  To offer first generation college bound students and student athletes the opportunity to get accepted and graduate from college, become productive citizens, community servants, and mentors for others."  Gruber's role with All-Sports was to cover any tuition gap these students needed after their grants, loans, and scholarships were posted.  Most of the students in this program did not receive full-financially paid scholarships, and they were mostly from at-risk communities and came from low to mid income families.  He made college a possibility for several Bay Area students, and made the monetary stress that comes with being a college student, virtually non-existent.  This was not free though.  In return, students had to be regular participants in community service.  They had to meet minimum GPA requirements.  And, they had to be mentors to younger, at-risk and lower income students, stay out of legal trouble, and be positive role models. 

I know this about him, because I was one of those students.  Due to his generosity, I was able to play college football, attend a state university, and live the college life that all young adults should experience.  Because of his help, I have lifelong memories that will always be treasured.  I have lifelong teammates and friends that are irreplaceable and dear to my heart.  I gained the education that so many thought was out of my grasp at the time.  From that education, I was able to get a great job with the nation's largest bank.  I've been there ten years and counting.  Life is easy, comfortable, and rewarding.  His assistance to me played a huge part in making it possible.  I am forever grateful.  So when the Bucs named him as their honoree for this year's Ring of Honor, I smiled inside, and took the time to reflect on my life and what came my way due to his help.  Nobody deserved this honor more than Mr. Gruber.  I will be there when he's inducted, just like he was there for me when I needed him.