TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – After almost four decades of \u201cFire those cannons!\u201d and \u201cTouchdown Tampa Bay!\u201d, the great Gene Deckerhoff will retire from his role as voice of the NFL\u2019s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. <\/p>\n
The team announced the Tallahassee local was hanging up the headset on social media Wednesday morning. <\/p>\n
\u201cCalling Buccaneers games has been one of the greatest honors of my professional career. I\u2019ve 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 am equally thankful to all the members of the radio crew and the partners I have had with me through the years– particularly Dave Moore, who has been by my side for the past 19 years. I will miss doing what I love, but now is the right time to step away.\u201d<\/p>\n
Deckerhoff\u2019s decision to step away from the Bucs comes four seasons after retiring as \u201cVoice of the Seminoles,\u201d where he had called FSU football full-time since 1979 and men\u2019s basketball before that. <\/p>\n
Starting in the 2022 season, Deckerhoff has been succeeded by former NDSU play-by-play Jeff Culhane. <\/p>\n
The legendary voice began double duty with Florida State and Tampa Bay in 1989, and spent over three decades calling iconic moments for both the \u2018Noles and the Bucs, including the 1999 and 2013 National Championships for FSU and Super Bowl XXXVII and LV for the red and pewter<\/p>\n
\u201cFor 37 seasons, Gene Deckerhoff\u2019s voice has set the scene for the most iconic moments in our franchise\u2019s history, and his signature calls will forever resonate with Buccaneers fans,\u201d said Buccaneers Owner\/Co-Chairman Bryan Glazer in a press release. \u201cHis 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The former WCTV Sports Director<\/a> has received numerous honors, including induction into the inaugural class of the Florida Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2024<\/a>. <\/p>\n A replacement for the legendary voice in Tampa is yet to be named. <\/p>\n To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Nextdoor<\/a> <\/a>and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n Copyright 2025 WCTV. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n