Buccaneers players and staff participated in the Cut for a Cure Charity Challenge to benefit the Pediatric Cancer Foundation.
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On Tuesday, the Buccaneers hosted the Pediatric Cancer Foundation's Cut For A Cure event at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa. For the third year in a row, Buccaneers players and staff members donated money and had their heads shaved in an effort to raise funds for childhood cancer research.
The Buccaneers raised more than $30,000 this year, including a generous $10,000 donation from defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.
"We raised a lot of money today, but the number one thing we were trying to do today was raise awareness," said Buccaneers Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford, "and try to give these families and kids a day that they can remember and kind of take back because every day they're fighting… my heroes."
Ford, along with 20 Buccaneers staff members, participated in the event. So did 13 players: quarterback Jameis Winston, tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, center Evan Smith, linebacker Lavonte David, kicker Patrick Murray, tackle Donovan Smith, punter Michael Koenen, guard Ali Marpet, long-snapper Andrew DePaola, safety Keith Tandy, running back Mike James, defensive end Will Gholston.
With assistance from barbers, children who're undergoing treatment, or in remission, for pediatric cancer handled the clippers and buzzed the players' and staff member's hair.
"It means a lot," Winston said. "To see these kids' faces knowing what they've been through, it means a lot to us and this organization to get our heads shaved."
Winston continued, "It's an honor. Like Mr. Ford said, those are our heroes. They've gone through so much and overcame (so much). Every day you have to overcome adversity and they're doing it at such a young age. It's amazing."
