Bucs Star Bucky Irving Stuns the NFL by Rejecting His MVP Award After the 20–17 Win Over the Cardinals: “The Real MVP Is Him, Not Me”

Tampa Bay, Florida – 12/01/2025

After a fiery two-touchdown performance that helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers secure a dramatic 20–17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, most analysts had already penciled in Bucky Irving as the unquestioned MVP of the game. But when the postgame press conference began, Irving shocked reporters, teammates, and fans alike — by refusing to accept credit for the win.

In his first game back after missing seven weeks, Irving delivered exactly what the Bucs had been missing: explosiveness, toughness, and clutch production. His two rushing touchdowns reignited the offense and shifted the momentum every time Tampa Bay needed a spark. For many, he was the clear-cut hero.

But Irving didn’t see it that way.

When asked what the MVP award meant to him, he took a deep breath, looked straight into the cameras, and delivered a line that froze the entire room:
“I appreciate the honor, but honestly… the real MVP is him. He did everything — kept us calm, led every drive, and gave us the chance to win.”

The “him” in question was unmistakable — Baker Mayfield, who played one of his most poised and efficient games of the season. Mayfield finished 18-of-28 for 210 yards, made no mistakes, and executed one of the wildest plays of Week 13: a trick-play touchdown pass to left tackle Tristan Wirfs that had the entire league buzzing.

Irving’s decision to shift the spotlight away from himself immediately sent a ripple through the Buccaneers’ locker room. Teammates nodded, smiled, and applauded the humility — recognizing it as the kind of leadership that can transform a good team into a dangerous one. “That’s why he’s special,” one Bucs defender said. “His fight is huge, but his heart is even bigger.”

Buccaneers fans erupted across social media, praising Irving for representing “the culture of Tampa Bay,” “a true team-first star,” and “the kind of player you build a championship locker room around.”

With the win, Tampa Bay moves to 7–5 and remains atop the NFC South, proving once again that their success isn’t built on star power alone — it’s built on trust, humility, and unity.

Bucky Irving may have scored the touchdowns.
But the way he lifted up his teammate was what truly made the NFL stand still for a moment — and what made Buccaneers fans believe even more deeply in the team they have.