For a moment on Wednesday, the routine grind of a midweek practice faded into the background. The focus for Baker Mayfield‘s Tampa Bay Buccaneers wasn’t on playbooks or formations, but on the well-being of one of their own. Running backs coach Skip Peete, a steady and familiar presence, had suffered a medical episode, prompting an immediate and concerned response that saw him rushed to a hospital for evaluation.
The incident sent a ripple of worry through the organization. In the world of professional football, where toughness is a badge of honor, a sudden health event is a stark reminder of what truly matters. For two days, the question hung in the air: would the veteran coach be okay? The team, and his room of running backs, would have to carry on, but his absence would be deeply felt.
Now, we have a welcome and definitive answer for Skip Peete’s medical update.
Medical Update on Skip Peete
In an update that brings a collective sigh of relief, long-time Bucs reporter Greg Auman posted the excellent news on X Friday: “Bucs running backs coach Skip Peete, who had a medical episode at practice Wednesday and was taken to a hospital for evaluation, is healthy enough to be back traveling with the team to Seattle and will coach as normal Sunday.”
The scene at the Buccaneers’ practice turned from routine to alarming this past Wednesday. According to the Tampa Bay Times, roughly 15 to 20 minutes into the session, Coach Skip Peete collapsed, prompting an immediate call for paramedics. While the moment was undoubtedly frightening, the response provided quick reassurance. Team medical staff swiftly attended to Peete, and reports confirmed he was responsive and coherent before they transported him to a local hospital for further evaluation.
The brief statement says everything the Buccaneers community wanted to hear. Not only is Peete out of the hospital, but he’s also already back to work, traveling with the team and set to resume his duties without limitation. The phrase “coach as normal Sunday” is the best possible outcome, signaling a swift and successful recovery.
Peete joined the Bucs last season and earned respect for consistently getting the most out of his players. His sudden absence was a jarring interruption, making his return all the more impactful. For a team preparing for a tough road game against the Seattle Seahawks, having their coach back on the sideline provides a crucial sense of stability and normalcy.
Football isn’t just a profession for Skip Peete. But it’s a family legacy. The son of longtime NFL running backs coach Willie Peete and brother of former quarterback Rodney Peete, he was born into the game. His own coaching journey with NFL running backs began in 1998, weaving a path through the sidelines of the Raiders, Cowboys, Bears, and Rams before bringing his wealth of experience to the Buccaneers in 2023.
It’s the kind of news that transcends the game itself. The Xs and Os can wait. Today, the real victory is that Skip Peete is healthy, back with his team, and ready to go.