TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will sound a little different in 2026. Gene Deckerhoff, the unmistakable voice of the franchise for nearly four decades, has officially announced that he is retiring at the conclusion of the 2025 NFL season. The move brings to a close a legendary 37-year career that saw Deckerhoff become the soundtrack for every major moment in Buccaneers history.
The team made the announcement on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, confirming that Deckerhoff will call his final games this January. Since joining the organization in 1989, Deckerhoff has narrated more than 800 games, including the team’s Super Bowl XXXVII and Super Bowl LV triumphs.
“For 37 seasons, Gene Deckerhoff’s voice has set the scene for the most iconic moments in our franchise’s history,” Buccaneers Owner/Co-Chairman Bryan Glazer said in a statement. “His passion, authenticity, and unmistakable voice created memories that have been cherished by generations of Buccaneers fans.”
Known for his booming enthusiasm and signature catchphrases, Deckerhoff’s “Fire them cannons!” became a cultural staple in Tampa Bay. His tenure ranks as the third-longest play-by-play run for a single NFL club, trailing only the Eagles’ Merrill Reese and the Cowboys’ Brad Sham.
“Calling Buccaneers games has been one of the greatest honors of my professional career,” Deckerhoff said. “I’ve had the fortune to form meaningful relationships with players, coaches, and staff, and interact with thousands of fans everywhere in the world.”
The 2025 season marks a total transition for the Hall of Fame broadcaster, who previously retired from his role as the voice of the Florida State Seminoles in 2022 after 43 years. His departure from the Buccaneers booth officially marks the end of one of the most prolific dual-career broadcasting runs in American sports history.
As the Buccaneers push toward the 2025 postseason, fans are preparing for a bittersweet farewell to the man who made every touchdown feel like a monumental event. While a successor has not yet been named, the team plans to honor Deckerhoff with a special ceremony during their final home appearance.
