Although He Didn’t Attend Saquon Barkley’s Foundation Gala, A.J. Brown Quietly Donated $50,000 — The Real Reason Behind It Moved Eagles Nation

Tampa Bay, Florida – November 4, 2025In a moment that has touched the hearts of Buccaneers fans everywhere, franchise legend Mike Alstott — the bruising fullback who defined Tampa Bay’s toughness in the late ’90s and early 2000s — has auctioned off the game-worn jersey from his final NFL game to support a former teammate now fighting the toughest battle of his life: Parkinson’s disease.For nearly a decade, Alstott embodied everything the Buccaneers stood for — grit, loyalty, and heart. From 1996 to 2006, the six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro bulldozed his way into franchise history, amassing 5,088 rushing yards, 58 total touchdowns, and becoming one of the most beloved figures in Tampa Bay sports. Known simply as “The A-Train,” he was the emotional engine of Jon Gruden’s offense and a cornerstone of the team that captured Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003.That teammate now in need is Ronde Barber, the Hall of Fame cornerback and defensive leader who spent 16 seasons in Tampa Bay. Recently, Barber has been privately battling early-stage Parkinson’s disease, a neurological condition that has begun to affect his motor function and coordination. Despite the diagnosis, Barber continues to serve as an analyst, mentor, and community advocate — still embodying the same discipline and focus that made him an icon. “We went to war together — him on defense, me on offense,” Alstott said softly. “Now he’s fighting something far tougher than any opponent we ever faced, and I want this jersey to fight for him — the same way he fought for all of us.” The jersey in question is the one Alstott wore during his farewell game at Raymond James Stadium in 2006, a piece of Buccaneers history cherished by fans. The decision to part with it, he says, wasn’t sentimental — it was purposeful.All proceeds from the auction will go directly to the Buccaneers Alumni Health & Wellness Fund, which supports Barber’s treatment and ongoing neurological research into Parkinson’s and other long-term health challenges faced by retired NFL players. “That jersey carried our pride, our pain, and our victories,” Alstott reflected. “If it can now carry hope for a brother who gave everything to this city, then it’s still doing its job.” For Bucs Nation, the gesture captures what makes Tampa Bay’s legacy endure — a family bound by loyalty, forged through adversity, and united long after the final whistle.In Tampa Bay, brotherhood isn’t just a memory — it’s a promise that never fades.