Vea’s TD could open doors for something big
TAMPA — Everybody loves the big-man touchdown.
And everybody loves Vita Vea, who at 347 pounds, is believed to have become the biggest man in NFL history to score a touchdown when he caught a 1-yard pass from Jameis Winston in the end zone during the Bucs’ 35-22 win in Atlanta Sunday.
Vea’s historic touchdown set off a hysterical reaction on the Bucs sideline.
“It was the happiest touchdown I’ve had this year,” said Byron Leftwich, the Bucs’ first-year offensive coordinator. “That’s crazy, right? But just because I know the guy works so hard. When he comes over to our side of the ball, he takes it seriously. It’s not a joke to him.
“So to see him really detail it up and get that opportunity for our team, it gave our team energy and as you can see, the team loves Vita, man.”
Leftwich was only 5 years old, but he remembers what it was like watching defensive tackle William “The Refrigerator” Perry turn poundage into profit for the
Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears.
Perry was a first-round pick by the Bears out of Clemson in 1985 who reported to training camp weighing 330 pounds. Defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan called him a “wasted draft choice.”
Bears coach Mike Ditka first used Perry to block for Walter Payton and then carry the ball himself against the 49ers in Week 6. Ditka remembered how San Francisco coach Bill Walsh had used 275-pound guard Guy McIntyre in short-yardage situations in the 49ers 23-0 win over Chicago in the 1984 NFC championship game, and Ditka wanted revenge.
But by the time he scored his first NFL touchdown, the Fridge was empty. He had worked out at nights with teammate and fellow defensive lineman Tyrone Keys, who says Perry probably weighed closer to 305 pounds when he first appeared on offense.
“Mike Ditka saw his skills set and knew he was a phenomenal athlete once he lost the weight,” said Keys, who played six NFL seasons with the Bears, Buccaneers and Chargers.
Perry’s popularity exploded when he ran for a touchdown on Monday Night Football against the Packers.
“He was on Good Morning America the next day,” Keys said. “It was crazy.”
Vea’s first appearance on offense came Nov. 10 in the Bucs’ 30-27 win over Arizona. Inserted as a tight end, he helped clear the way for Peyton Barber’s game-winning touchdown run. First, he shoved Terrell Suggs to the ground before chipping linebacker Joe Walker to his left and propelling safety Budda Baker into the air over his right shoulder.
It took an injury to tight end Anthony Auclair for Vea to be invited into the offensive huddle.
“That’s when the wheels started turning,” Leftwich said.
On Sunday, the Bucs led 13-10 with 44 seconds before halftime when Vea lined up at fullback on second-and-goal. His biggest coaching point from Leftwich has been to make sure he is set before the snap so as not to be flagged for illegal motion.
“I thought I was going to be blocking,” Vea said. “I heard the play call and that’s when I knew.”