NFL radio legend Gene Deckerhoff retiring after 37-year run

Buccaneers legendary radio play-by-play announcer Gene Deckerhoff is calling it a career after 37 seasons as the voice of the club.

Deckerhoff, who joined the organization in 1989, will retire after the 2025 NFL season, the Buccaneers said in a press release Wednesday.

He is the third-longest play-by-play announcer for an NFL club, behind the Eagles’ Merrill Reese and the Cowboys’ Brad Sham.

“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,” Tampa Bay owner/co-chairman Bryan Glazer said.

“His passion, authenticity, and unmistakable voice created memories that have been cherished and enjoyed by countless generations of Buccaneers fans. As he closes out his extraordinary journey, we congratulate Gene on a remarkable broadcasting career and wish him a well-deserved and fulfilling retirement.”

Deckerhoff has been on the call for more than 750 Buccaneers preseason, regular season and playoff games, which is more than three-quarters of all games in the team’s history and includes their two Super Bowl championships.

Bucs faithful know and love his signature, “Touchdown, Tampa Bay!” call — made 1,100 times — as well as the popular phrase “Fire the Cannons!”, a term he coined after Buccaneers home game scoring plays.

Deckerhoff has won 17 Florida Sportscaster of the Year awards and the National Football Foundation’s Chris Schenkel Award in 2013, which is presented annually to a broadcaster who has demonstrated long-time excellence in play-by-play announcing.

In 2000, Deckerhoff became the fourth broadcaster ever to be enshrined in the Florida Sports Hall of Fame.

If the Buccaneers lose their season is over.

If they win and the Saints beat the Falcons on Sunday then Tampa Bay will be NFC North champs and Deckheroff will get at least one playoff game to finish off his storied career.