Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Dies Suddenly at 56 After Bout With Cancer

On Monday, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Lars Tate passed away at 56. His eldest son, Donavan Tate, a former quarterback at the University of Arizona, broke the news about the loss. Tate breathed his last at St. Petersburg in Florida after being diagnosed with serious throat cancer last month.

Lars Tate was a star running back for Tampa Bay and played for two years for the team. Later, he played for a few games with the Chicago Bears before seeking an abrupt retirement from the league. Although his career was short-lived, the veteran was successful in creating an impact throughout the journey.

Post his retirement, Tate returned to school and studied economics. Later on, he went for landscaping along with his brother.

Lars Tate has three children: daughter Lauren, son Stephan, and the eldest, Donavan. Per the reports, Donavan affirmed that his father was about to undergo chemotherapy this week, but unfortunately, fate had something else destined for him. “It was kind of sudden,” Tate said to a media outlet.

Also Read : REPORTS: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Looking To Reunite Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo Ahead of 2022 NFL Season

“You just thought cancer was the next thing that he was going to overcome. Even in conversations with him, he was in good spirits,” he added. Not just in the NFL, Tate was a star player during his college days. He even set the record for passing yardages in Georgia.

Tate had a great time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Lars Tate was just 24 when he announced his retirement from the National Football League. An unprecedented neck injury hampered his chances of making a comeback. Tate was selected by the Buccaneers in the second round of the 1988 NFL draft and went to play for two seasons with the franchise.

His iconic backflip at the line of scrimmage and rushing for a 46-yard touchdown during his rookie year still brings chills to the minds of true NFL fans. The Georgia product totaled 1,055 yards and 15 touchdowns with the Buccaneers.

However, Tate could only play for three games with the Bears in the 1990 season. He was a star college player for the Georgia Bulldogs during the 1986 and 1987 seasons. He completed with 3,107 yards becoming the sixth most in school history.

His son, Donavan, inherited this legacy of athleticism. He played for the San Diego Padres in Major League Baseball, and like his father, he incurred a serious injury and retired from the sport. Later on, he debuted as a quarterback for the Arizona Wildcats. Now, Tate’s three children succeed him. May the noble soul rest in peace.

Watch This Story – Tom Brady Spills His Secret to Stay Healthy; Shares 6 Simple Steps