TAMPA, Fla. — The infant son of Tampa Bay Buccaneers placekicker Matt Bryant died this morning.

"We lost a key member of our family," Bucs Coach Jon Gruden said.

Gruden, fighting back tears, opened his post-practice news conference by revealing that Tryson Bryant, born last spring, "just didn't wake up" this morning. Tryson was the younger of two sons of Matt and Melissa Bryant.

"The entire Buccaneer family is deeply saddened by this tragedy," General Manager Bruce Allen said in a statement released by the team. "The Bryants have been an inspiration to our entire community through their commitment to their family and exhaustive efforts working with children and those in need in the Bay area."

Bryant, 33, was a finalist for the 2007 Walter Payton/NFL Man of the Year Award, given to players for their work on and off the field.

Gruden asked Bucs fans to pray for the Bryants, while asking to respect the family's privacy, also.

As to how the loss will affect the team, Gruden said only that the child's death put "things in real perspective."

"We'll deal with it from a football standpoint," he said. "Right now, we're worried about Matt and Melissa from a personal standpoint. They're great friends."

Bucs punter Josh Bidwell added: "Like everyone, the news of Matt and Melissa Bryant's son Tryson hit me hard today. Having kids of my own, I couldn't imagine the pain that is associated with such a terrible loss. The entire extended Buccaneers family will be there for the Bryants in every way possible to help them during this difficult time. We hope that everyone keeps them in their thoughts and prayers."

Now in his fourth season with Tampa Bay, Bryant has been perfect through three games on his six field-goal attempts and eight extra-point tries.

Bryant has made 71 of 85 attempts since joining the Bucs in 2005, for an accuracy percentage of .840 that ranks first in team history. He also holds the record for the longest field goal in franchise history, a 62-yarder in 2006.