Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Jeff Zito

Tampa Native, Michael Penix Jr, Selected 8th Overall In NFL Draft

Author Zito
A helmet with the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit logo at the Super Bowl 58 media center at the Mandalay Bay resort and casino.

All in all Tampa Bay had a good Draft Day score from some of the experts analyzing the NFL Draft, but there was one big surprise in Tampa and it had nothing to do with the Buccaneers. The Atlanta Falcons shocked everyone when they picked Tampa local, Michael Penix Jr, 8th overall.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2024 Draft Haul

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers walked away with a pretty good crop of rookies after this weekend’s NFL draft in Detroit. The Bucs chose C Graham Barton from Duke with their first pick, followed by LB Chris Boswell from Alabama, S Tykee Smith from Georgia, plus Jalen McMillan a WR from Washington, RB Bucky Irvin from Oregon, G Elijah Klien from UTEP, and a TE from Washington Devin Culp. 

Michael Penix Jr: The Tampa Native

Michael Penix Jr made some news, with what they called the draft’s “biggest shocker”, getting picked by the Atlanta Falcons with the 8th selection of the first round. His room erupted which was at the Saltaire Condo in Downtown St. Petersburg where Penix was holding his draft party. Although he was born in Tennessee, Penix grew up in Dade City and played high school football at Tampa Bay Tech.

Although Michael Penix Jr was the runner-up in this year’s Heisman trophy, the Washington QB wasn’t projected to go until the 2nd round as he was rated as the 52nd-best prospect. After QB Kurk Cousins broke the bank in the offseason with the Atlanta Falcons, Penix came as a huge shock to the experts who couldn’t believe Atlanta would choose a QB that high after paying Cousins $180 mil for 4 years with $100 mil of that guaranteed.

Michael Penix Jr was the highest draft pick out of Hillsborough County since Robinson High School’s Larry Smith 55 years ago.

Jeff Zito or just "Zito" as he is known to his friends, was born in Summit, NJ. Zito is the afternoon personality and program director of 987 the Shark. He has been with Beasley Media Group since 1999. Zito aspired to be a professional golfer and attended Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI majoring in PGM (pro golf management). Yes, that is a real major! After college, Zito was an assistant golf professional at the Meadows Country Club in Sarasota. Zito is an avid Bucs fan who likes to paddle board and can sometimes be spotted around the Bay area drinking a margarita. You can read his content about Tampa Bay sports, lifestyle, and celebrities’ first jobs.

5 NFL Players That Have Been Arrested In Florida

When you’re a professional athlete or celebrity, most of your life is out there for the world to see. Yes, some love the fame and glory of living in the spotlight when things are going good, but what happens when things go bad? We’re breaking down 5 NFL players arrested in Florida with some of them right here in Tampa Bay.

Which Major Sports League Players Get Arrested The Most?

There’s no question about it, some NFL players have had their run-in with the law a time or two. That’s not to say the NFL is the only sport with players getting arrested. OTB released a report way back in 2014 that analyzed arrests for the big professional sports leagues in the USA and the results are not what we thought.

Yes, the report may be old, but it shows the trends for the NBA, NFL, NHL, MMA, and MLB. The NBA came in first with the most athletes being arrested. In second the NFL with about 2.5% of athletes getting arrested. The NHL with about 0.75% and the MLB with under 0.5% of athletes getting arrested.

Which NFL team has had the most arrests?

First, let’s see what charges NFL players are facing most. According to a report from 2014, 43.69% of arrested were for substance abuse which is 12% higher than the national average. Assault accounted for 13% of NFL arrests while domestic violence was 12.22%. This is a little over 11% higher than the national average. 

But, which NFL teams have had the most arrests since the year 2000? The Cincinnati Bengals claim the 3rd place title with 42 arrests. In second place, we have the Minnesota Vikings with 46 arrests. And in 1st place with the most overall arrests since 2000, the Denver Broncos. What about our very own Tampa Bay Buccaneers? The Bucs claim the 5th spot with 36 arrests since the year 2000.

Here Are 5 NFL Players Arrested In Florida

  • Timothy Bernard McKyer

    3X Super Bowl Champ, Timothy Bernard McKyer, was arrested back in February 2024 in Riviera Beach. Allegedly, McKyer crashed into multiple vehicles in a parking garage on Lake Shore Drive and drove off, according to local law enforcement. McKyer was charged with 5 counts of leaving the scene of an accident with damages exceeding $50. He also received citations for leaving the scene and failing to report the accident.

  • Cameron Sutton

    Cameron Sutton is the latest NFL player to get arrested here in Tampa. On April 1st, Sutton turned himself into the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department after he was wanted on a warrant for domestic violence, but prosecutors said he was being charged with misdemeanor battery. Sutton played for the Detroit Lions and was released from his 3-year, $33 Million contract following his arrest.

  • Dion Lewis

    The former Super Bowl Champion, Dion Lewis, was arrested back in Septemeber 2023 right here in Tampa. Allegedly, he was “belligerent” at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and was “refusing to leave”. He was charged for trespassing in an “occupied structure or conveyance.”

  • Antonio Brown

    Fromer Super Bowl Champ and Tampa Bay’s own, Antonio Brown, was arrested in October 2023 for allegedly failing to pay child support. He was arrested at his home for missing payments of $15,000 and $30,000. That’s some hefty child support change. Brown has 6 children with 3 different women.

  • Malik McDowell

    Malik McDowell was arrested in 2022 in Deerfield Beach, FL on charges of public exposure, aggravated battery of an officer, and resisting arrest, according to the Broward County Records. McDowell was drafted by the Seahwks in 2017 and played for the Cleveland Browns in 2021.

Sign Up For The Shark Tank Newsletter

Get the latest Classic Rock and Tampa/St. Pete stories you need to know about, plus exclusive contests, games, and more!

*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Author Zito
Category:
Tags:
,

More 98.7 The Shark

Load More