In an exclusive interview with Bolavip, the former Argentine kicker spoke about the current state of the Bucs, delving into what lies ahead for the NFL, and also the valuation of his position, a legacy that his children intend to continue.

In addition, he made it clear who he thinks the GOAT in football is. Gramatica, charismatic and with great analytical ability, emphasized that the league has everything it takes to conquer the entire world and did not miss the opportunity to outline which teams could reach the 2027 Super Bowl.

Bucs’ missed opportunity in 2025 NFL season

Bolavip: You’re someone very closely linked to Tampa, to the Buccaneers. You’re a historic figure for the franchise. Let me ask you: how did you see last season’s ending? It was a very tight division, it almost slipped away. Do you think there was a specific reason why they couldn’t push a bit further?

Martin Gramatica: It was disappointing, honestly, because we were one win away from making the playoffs with five or six games left. If we had won one of those, we would’ve made it. Unfortunately, we couldn’t. We did beat Carolina in the last game, thinking we were in. Atlanta didn’t help us because it beat the Saints, and Carolina ended up going to the playoffs.

We started really well too, I think we were 5–1, there was talk of Baker Mayfield as MVP, everything was perfect, and then the team slowly fell apart. We also had a lot of key injuries—every team has injuries, but when you lose your top two receivers, first Mike Evans, then Chris Godwin. (Emeka) Egbuka started well but then the longer season hit him a bit, the NFL season wore on him a little in the second half of the season.

So I don’t know if I can point to one single factor, there were many factors that didn’t help us. And obviously, being that close and not winning one game out of six, that really hurt.

Bolavip: Recently, Lavonte David spoke about all the injuries Mayfield had to go through last season, and that maybe if he had been healthier, the outcome would have been different. Do you agree with him?

Martin Gramatica: Yes, for sure, because Baker started out, as I said, on his way to MVP. And then his performance dropped a bit, but he took a lot of hits. He got hit a lot. And I think little by little, it started to wear on him, and then he had an injury to his left arm. And even though you don’t throw with your left arm, you use it for balance.

He also had, I think, a hit to his knee as well and his ankle. So, those are all things that one might think ‘Oh, he just throws with his arm.’ But he uses his whole body to throw, and besides his best weapon is when everything breaks down, and he takes off running and gets those first downs.

During that stretch when he was half injured, half banged up, he wasn’t running as much because he knew he couldn’t take a hit. I’m not saying it was fear of getting hit, because this guy lowers his helmet and runs into a wall if he has to, to get a first down.

The thing is, he was protecting himself because one bad hit would have taken him out of the game. He even missed half a game, I think it was Detroit, I don’t remember which one it was, where he left at halftime due to injury. So yeah, that didn’t help him at all. And then also having his superstars get injured. Because the timing with the other receivers also didn’t help him.

Bucs’ future without Mike Evans and 2026 NFL Draft expectations

Bolavip: And now Evans’ absence will be felt—a guy who made history and broke records…

Martin Gramatica: I think it’s going to be felt, especially on the emotional side, because of his leadership and also because he’s an amazing player on the field, obviously, and that safety valve when there was a problem Mayfield would say ‘Ok, I’ll just throw it to Mike Evans and he’ll catch it.’ Especially in the red zone.

And the pressure that Chris Godwin and Egbuka will feel now. Because they’ll be the leaders of that receiver group and they’ll need to have a really great season. Especially Chris Godwin, who’s a veteran, who’s had many injuries, who had a spectacular year when he signed his contract and then injury after injury he hasn’t been able to stay consistent.

So I think this year is key for him. Not only stat-wise in terms of statistics, but also in staying healthy and playing every game. Because that’s also key. He hasn’t been able to finish a season healthy in the last few years.

Bolavip: Now the closest event is the NFL Draft, which keeps everyone on edge. Do you have any idea about what the Bucs might do? What do you think they need?

Martin Gramatica: Last year showed us that they can do anything. They pick who they believe is the best player available at that moment. Last year there was a lot of talk that we needed defensive players. That we needed an edge rusher, someone who could put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and they went with (Emeka) Egbuka, a receiver, who honestly did well, right? And besides, I think they were already looking ahead. With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin getting older, they needed a young guy.

But I think this year is very similar, I think they need a defensive player who comes in with intensity and character. It could be a linebacker because Lavonte David just retired. An edge rusher too—we haven’t had outside pass rush, right? Vita Vea is a wall in the middle, but on the edges we haven’t had someone who can really put pressure on quarterbacks.

But with the Bucs you never know—Jason Licht often surprises. And it’s worked pretty well for him, right? Look at Bucky Irving, an amazing player who was picked in the third round. We focus on the first round, but it’s usually the second, third, or fourth round guys who sometimes surprise everyone, because nobody expected anything, and then they’re starters.

NFL continues to expand

Bolavip: Another big topic is the NFL’s expansion into different countries and cities around the world: Australia, Rio… Do you think the league can really establish itself in other cultures?

Martin Gramatica: Yes, it already has. From a financial standpoint, it’s good for the NFL, good for those cities. The fans in Europe, I went to the game when the Bucs played in London, and the stadium is always packed. What you do see is jerseys of all colors, because they’re fans of all different teams, and there’s a little group of Bucs fans at that time with Carolina.

But the fanbase, yes, there are a lot and I see it also in South America, right? Also Argentina itself has a league, an equipped Flag Football League that competes. So what has made the sport so much more visible and made people start liking it more is social media. It gives access to the sport, because before we had no way to watch it.

When I came at age 9 I didn’t know football existed in the US. Back home we played soccer, a little tennis and that was it. I knew about rugby, right? And a little bit basketball. Now people do know they exist and there are even kids who like it. There are fans in Argentina who prefer football over soccer. That seems crazy to me, but they grew up watching it and liking it.

In Europe they follow it a lot too. Well, when we played a preseason game in Japan, I think it was in 2004 after the Super Bowl, it was a preseason game and it was insane. People would come to practice sessions, the stadium was packed. They knew everything, they even had little cards with photos. For them it was like their Super Bowl, because the games only came once a year. So I think that’s why the NFL knows that it has a strong presence worldwide and that’s why they’re expanding to other countries.

There won’t be another Tom Brady

Bolavip: And regarding your career—you won a Super Bowl, spent time with New England, Indianapolis, New Orleans… and therefore worked with Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning. What was it like?

Martin Gramatica: Well, I’ll always have a soft spot for Brad Johnson because we won the Super Bowl together. The truth is they are players who were stars, they still are stars. Not just in the NFL, even after retiring they’re still superstars because they’re Hall of Famers. And they’re all different, right? Different kind of leaders too.

The truth is Peyton Manning, I remember during practices, the same with Tom Brady, they both wanted to be perfect in practice. With Drew Brees I didn’t connect as much. He was somewhat distant from teammates. I don’t know, Brees’ personality was different, I never got to really know him.

But Brady and Manning, it was impressive what they demanded from their teammates and what they demanded from themselves. And that’s why you see where their teams ended up, right?

Peyton Manning was unlucky to play in the same era as Tom Brady. If not, he would have won three or four Super Bowls. It’s like Cristiano Ronaldo. He is an amazing player but he happened to play in Lionel Messi’s era. So nobody talks about Ronaldo, everyone talks about Messi, because he is so much better. So well, that’s what happened to Manning with Brady. But they’re both superstars.

Bolavip: Let’s say over the last 10 years, do you see in that position someone who reached or can reach Brady’s level?

Martin Gramatica: Brady’s level of winning 7 Super Bowls, I don’t think anyone gets there. Because at one point, I thought Patrick Mahomes could, if Kansas City had beaten Tampa, he would have gotten a bit closer.

But now seven against three Super Bowls, I don’t see Patrick Mahomes catching Brady, not a chance. And no, I don’t think there is, and the way the league is, there’s no player you can point to and say he’s going to be the Tom Brady of the future, who’s going to win four or five Super Bowls or play 20 years either, right?

I don’t think there’s a name like that, no. I really couldn’t tell you because what Tom Brady did is something special, not only for what he did by winning the Super Bowls. Reaching 10 Super Bowls and winning seven, that was impressive. What a career. That is very hard to match, very hard to match.

The value of kickers in the NFL

Bolavip: And in your position, which often defines games, do you think kickers are undervalued?

Martin Gramatica: Before, yes. Now they’re more valued. Today they kick 65 or 70-yard field goals. Contracts are also better. But it always depends on the team. They know that, you can have the best kicker in the league, but if you don’t have the best quarterback you’re not going to win. As a kicker you get it and you know that.

The kicker has the best job Monday to Saturday and the hardest on Sunday: few chances, all or nothing. It’s similar to a goalkeeper in soccer—you can save everything but people remember the one mistake. The pressure is different from any other position because you have very few chances.

Bolavip: Your longest kick was 55 yards. Could a kicker from your era play in today’s NFL?

Martin Gramatica: Yes, the position hasn’t changed much. The setup is the same: distance, angle, snap. Training changed, but the role is similar.

Bolavip: Thinking about the future, your sons Nico Gramatica and Gaston Gramatica…

Martin Gramatica: Well, the only thing what I always say is that we are extremely proud of how they work and how focused they are, of their dedication and the sacrifice they’re making to get there.

You never know if they’ll make it or not because it’s also very hard to make it, you need luck. You need to find a team that let’s you kick, so there are many variables, which is why some very talented kids don’t make it, while others maybe less talented do make it because they have better luck.

The only thing I always say about the kids is that they work themselves to the bone, they are super focused, super dedicated to making it. What I always tell them, whether they make it or not, they shouldn’t regret not having done enough to get there. And if they give everything, and it doesn’t work out, at least they gave it everything, so they can’t blame themselves.

But in that regard, we are incredibly proud. Because Nico, well, being the example as the older brother. And then Gaston too, because it’s not easy to get a scholarship here. It’s very hard, and especially coming out of High School. Because now with the portal, they pick players with College experience.

Nico had the chance to go to USF, and two years later, Gaston goes as well. He was also offered a scholarship by Texas. In football, Texas is very strong, North Carolina also offered him a scholarship out of High School. So you can see that they’ve noticed the effort and his work too.

A hypothetic Super Bowl LXI matchup

Bolavip: And finally, who would you like to see in the next Super Bowl?

Martin Gramatica: You’re putting me in a tough spot, I haven’t even thought about next year! But well, obviously from the NFC, I want the Bucs to be there. I liked what Vrabel did with New England, how he changed the face of the team.

But I would like to see Buffalo make it because I love Josh Allen. And then well, I’m a big fan of (John) Harbaugh, who now went to New York, I don’t want them to make it because it’s on our side of the Conference, but he was the first one to interview me on the NFL, when he was in Philadelphia.

I was just doing some cleaning and I still have his card from when he was in Philadelphia. He was Special Teams Coach back then. That’s why I’ve always liked him, he was a great guy. And gave me a lot of advice knowing that he didn’t need a kicker. He said ‘I want to interview you so that you can get those nerves out, because I don’t need a kicker right now, but i want to help you.’

So a guy that I truly always appreciated that, what he did for me. But yes, so I’d like to see Buffalo make it from the AFC, and obviously Tampa from the NFC side, right?

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH MARTIN GRAMATICA ON BOLAVIP US:

Martín Gramática, who helped the Bucs with 12 points in the 48-21 win over the Oakland Raiders in San Diego, California, to clinch the first and only Super Bowl trophy for the team, talked with Bolavip in an exclusive interview about his two passions: American football and soccer. He also analyzed the present of his beloved Buccaneers after Brady’s arrival and his experiences with the quarterback during his stint in the New England Patriots.

Gramática is not only one of the few South Americans to have played in the NFL, but also the only one to have won a Super Bowl. He answered the video call from his studio and recalled his transition from soccer -his true passion- to the most popular sport in the United States, for which he is eternally grateful.

– You have mentioned many times that you started to play American football in high school because they needed a kicker. When did you realize that you could become a professional player?

– “After our first practice, our coach said: ‘This kid is outstanding, he will play in College and become professional’. And after that I got excited, because I didn’t know anything about the sport by the time. Looking back, we weren’t that good, but the kickers they already had were very bad. I hadto work hard and learn day by day. It was difficult for me to get used to the helmet and all the equipment. And I didn’t know the rules either; I just kicked the ball and then sit on the bench again. I never thought I could go pro. Obviously, that was the goal. I loved football and I wanted to be a football player. When this possibility opened up for me, I thought: ‘I’m going to give it all to become professional’”.

– When did you realize that you could play in the NFL?

– “The first two years weren’t so good; I didn’t have many chances to kick. During the third year I suffered a cruciate ligament injury and I thought ‘it’s over’. But it was a like a blessing for me after all; I learned to train in a different way and strengthen my body. I used to play soccer before American football, so I trained to be faster and kick the ball, I didn’t do much physical training. The last two years were my best years and that’s when the NFL doors opened up for me”.

– It’s not common to see a kicker being picked in the third round of the Draft. How was that experience for you?

– “The Draft is a life-changing call, because it guarantees you’ll be on the team. We were three kickers competing to see who would come out first and in my last year I kicked the 65-yard field goal (the longest field goal in college and professional football history kicked without a tee), that helped me to be ahead of the other two. And being picked by Tampa Bay Buccaneers was like coming home, as I was raised in Florida. For me, it was a double satisfaction”.

Pure history: Super Bowl victory with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

– What was the key to reach the Super Bowl in the 2002 season?

– “Tony Dungy built the team; it was a spectacular group of people, and for me that made the difference. Because they weren’t only league stars, but also good guys. We did well with Dungy, but we failed to win in playoffs, so (Jon) Gruden came and the change was amazing. The team spent 8 million dollars just to hire a coach. He took charge of a defensive team and added a little bit more offense. When he gives a pre-game team talk, he motivates you so much you want to get out there. And that’s what he did, that energy boost helped us to win the Super Bowl”.

– How important was Gruden in the Super Bowl, considering he faced his former team?

– “Our defense knew what they (Raiders) were planning to do before they do it. That was great for us, because it made the job much easier for our defense. Oakland hadn’t changed the offense at all. And they didn’t have to; how would they know they were going to face their former coach in the Super Bowl? Bad luck for them that they faced us. They had the best offensive of the league, and our defense knowing what was coming… they couldn’t do anything. That helped us a lot”.

– How important was to beat Philadelphia in the Conference Final after losing two straight times against them in the playoffs?

– “I always say: ‘the Super Bowl for us was Philadelphia’, because at that time, we had to visit Philadelphia, which had defeated us in the last two years. The cold too, we had never won a game below 40°F. After winning that game, we were so motivated that it didn’t matter who was our next opponent, we were going to win. The motivation at that game was incredible; that was the key. For me, it was toughest game of the season”.

– Why do you think the team could not keep the same level after winning the Super Bowl?

– “I think the main problem could have been Gruden, who sidelined some referents from the squad built by Tony Dungy. Because many people here (in Tampa) talked about how Gruden had won the Super Bowl with Dungy’s team. I think he wanted to build his own squad, he brought three or four players from Oakland, who were close to retirement. In fact, one of them suffered an injury before the start of the season and couldn’t play a single game. Another one, Tim Brown, who’s a Hall of Famer, didn’t have enough strength in his legs when he joined the team. Also, we weren’t the united group of people anymore, the group that had been working together for years. That was the biggest mistake, in my opinion, bring his players from Oakland to keep winning”.

The experience in New England: his relationship with Brady and the competition with Gostkowski

– You have always said that New England was where you felt most at home after Tampa. Hoy did Tom Brady and the Patriots welcome you?

– “Unfortunately, I could never play at my best level again due to some adductor injuries after leaving Tampa. I was living in therapy, with a special training. I could never recover the rhythm I wanted because of that. When I joined New England, I felt good. It also reminded me the group we had at Tampa, a united and humble group of people. Tom Brady, a great guy, humble. The first day I saw him in the gym, he came to say hello and said to me: ‘It’s great to have you here, I’m really happy you’re in the team’. And at that time he had already won a Super Bowl, he was already a superstar. I learned a lot of things there. You realize why they win, because we lost a preseason game and on Monday it was like we had lost the Super Bowl. Imagine what it must be to lose during the regular season or in the playoffs”.

– How was the competition with Stephen Gostkowski, who had been recently picked in the Draft?

– “It was never a competition with Gostkowski because I suffered an injury after the first game of the preseason. I’ve been told that I was going to kick the field goals and he was going to make the punts, he had a very strong leg. It would have been great for me, because I was coming from injuries and the kickoff is when you need your leg to be strong enough. And then I picked up an adductor injury after the first game of the preseason, and I lost my opportunity”.

– Did you see potential in Gostkowski to have the career he made?

– “No, nothing. It was a big surprise because he had a 60% of effectiveness, so it wasn’t a high percentage, but he had a very strong leg. He was also a bit inconsistent. And from one day to the next one, he got better, and the coach helped him too. One of the things he changed, he started wearing soccer boots. I think I deserve some credit for that, because I think I helped him to change the boots; I shouldn’t have told him my secret (he laughs). He made an outstanding career. Because no matter how much you change your boots, you have to score, and he did it when it counted, he won a lot of games”.

Tom Bady and his arrival to Tampa

– Why do you think Tom Brady left New England and choose Tampa?

– “I think 20 years in New England wore him out, with a coach and an organization that ask so much from you, I think he needed fresh air. He needed to get out of there, refresh his mind and start over. Besides, when you’ve won so much, it’s like no longer appreciated. If he had signed with New England, he would have been in the papers for one day; but he signed for Tampa and it’s world news, everyone is still talking about it. Now Tampa has the potential to win the Super Bowl, and we have five games in prime time. We only had four after winning the Super Bowl. That’s the Tom Brady effect”.

“What Tom Brady saw was, what he said in some interviews, is that we have some great players in offense: Mike Evans and Chris Goodwin are two of the best receivers. Now (Rob) Gronkowski joined us too, but we already had OJ Howard and Cameron Brate, who play in his position, and an offensive coach. That’s what he liked about the team, and the defense is improving too. He says he joined the team because he knows we can win things. I think it’s a competition with Bill Belichick, about who can win a Super Bowl without the other one”.

“Luckily for us, he chose Tampa. Here it was a revolution since Tom Brady came. The other day someone was talking about when there was more expectation, after winning the Super Bowl or now that Brady came. I think people in Tampa are more excited now that Tom Brady’s here than after winning the Super Bowl. It’s a shame what happened with the coronavirus, because most, if not all, the tickets were sold after it was announced that he was coming. Imagine Tom Brady and Gronkowski coming out of the tunnel, it’s a show, with fireworks, smoke, the team’s mascot and all the pregame show. Just imagine, you have Tom Brady and you can’t do that. And there are no signs that fans will be allowed to attend the game”.

– It wasn’t just Brady who joined Tampa. What do you think about Rob Gronkowski’s arrival?

– “First of all, I never thought that he would return from retirement, because he loves life and he’s happy, enjoying the professional wrestling and all the things he has been doing. I thought he wouldn’t be back to training every day, watching videos, prepare the games. Now the team has not only another leader in the tight end position, but also another offensive leader; a winning guy. Even Tom Brady is going to feel more comfortable having a teammate he already knows”.

Soccer, an ever-present passion

– What do you think MLS needs to improve in order to take the leap and surpass the Liga MX?

– “I spoke with Marcelo Balboa (American retired soccer player) last week and he told me that until an MLS team wins the Concachampions, the Liga MX is going to stay ahead. But they compete, because an MLS team always makes it to the final. They lose, but they beat a Mexican team in the semifinals some times. I think the change in MLS began when (David) Beckham came, the marketing he brought with his arrival opened the door to the world a little bit. Now teams bring young players, when before players just came to retire. Players have good salaries now, too. For me, to have let Gerardo Martino go was the biggest mistake in the history of American soccer. They should have given him the US national team”.

– You are currently coaching your children at a soccer academy in Tampa. Would you like to continue your coaching career or is it more like a hobby for you?

– “I love it, but I don’t have time to get the licenses with the radio program, the kids. Training in a youth academy is nice because the kids still listen to you. I used what I learned in American football and use it in soccer training. It’s very organized, very disciplined, you don’t waste much time. And then, I teach the kids to compete. Sometimes, you lose 0-3 and the parents are happy because their kid played well. And I say: if you lose 0-3, you can never be happy. I try to teach that to the kids”.

If you want to read the original interview with Martín Gramática in Spanish, click here.