Buccaneers cornerback Alterraun Verner couldn’t keep tears out of his eyes while talking about his late father after the game and he couldn’t keep them out of his eyes late in the first half when he intercepted a Russell Wilson pass.
Verner’s play stamped out a Seahawks scoring opportunity and it came two days after his father Robert died of a heart attack. Verner made the choice to play and his interception was part of an overwhelming effort by the Tampa defense in a 14-5 win that leaves them with a winning record on the season.
Verner wore a t-shirt with a picture of him and his father under his jersey on Sunday and said his dad was “definitely” on his mind throughout the Bucs win.
“He made so many sacrifices for me to get where I am today, and I know he would not want him to be the cause of me not playing,” Verner said. “That’s why I decided to play. I wanted to honor him, knowing all that he did to try to get me to where I am today. ... He would’ve been smiling. Very, very proud.”
We have no doubt that Verner is correct and imagine plenty of others are proud of the way he played while still processing such a big loss.