TAMPA, Fla (WFLA) Two days after he was let go by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Gerald McCoy posted a video on his Instagram account, thanking the fans for their support during his nine seasons with the team.
In typical McCoy fashion, the video was light hearted, beginning with blaring music from ‘Batman’, the superhero that McCoy loves and playfully made part of his own identity. The McCoy smile, always large, even if the past four and a half months of painful speculation weighed heavy on the six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle.
McCoy noted his affection for the Bucs organization as a young man growing up in Oklahoma. Draft night in 2010 was more than just a dream come true.
“Starting with the Glazer family. You guys changed my life forvever making me a Buccaneer,” McCoy said in the video. “I grew up a Buccaneers fan, a Warren Sapp fan, just loving the organization. You all changed my family’s life forever. I’m forever grateful for that.”
For the fans, McCoy shared equal respect for positive and negative support. And while he was known for looking forward and seeing the upside of challenging situations, McCoy did reveal his desired way to finish playing football.
“To all the fans who supported me regardless, who will continue to support me regardless, I love you guys,” McCoy said. “I am a Buccaneer forever and I will be back. I will retire as a Buc.”
McCoy is linked to a number of different NFL teams that are lobbying for his services. Although no trades were ever reported as imminent, no teams appeared willing to take on McCoy’s contract which was due to pay him $13 million for the 2019 season.
