On Sunday, October 1, when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the New York Giants at Raymond James Stadium, the Buccaneers and the NFL will celebrate 10 years of inspiring youth activity through NFL PLAY 60, the league-wide effort to encourage physical fitness and healthy living. To help kick off the game, local "Fuel Up to PLAY 60" Student Ambassadors from the Florida Dairy Council will participate in pre-game activities, leading the Buccaneers onto the field and serving as honorary guests of the game during the coin toss. During halftime, the Buccaneers will host scrimmages between local youth football teams while community groups will proudly wear team-customized PLAY 60 eye black. NFL PLAY 60 field stencils, banners and goal post wraps will also be showcased throughout Raymond James Stadium.
Earlier this week, the Buccaneers, in partnership with Gatorade, hosted 300 middle school-aged youths from Tampa Parks & Recreation and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay for an official Gatorade Junior Training Camp.The children enjoyed a positive football experience at One Buccaneer Place that equipped local athletes with football fundamentals led by youth football coaches from the Bay area.
In addition to the game's PLAY 60 efforts, the team will continue the tradition of honoring local heroes throughout gameday with the Hero of the Game and the Salute to Service Suite, amongst other recognition activities.
BUCS SQUAD EXPERIENCE & BUCS SQUAD TWO-MINUTE DRILL AT RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Bucs Squad is an exciting program designed to get the next generation of Bucs fans behind the bench and inside the huddle with their favorite NFL team. By becoming a Bucs Squad member, fans 14-and-under gain access to amazing gameday experiences. For more information and to sign up for the Bucs Squad, visit the Bucs Squad Two-Minute Drill in section 137 from 2:30 p.m. until the end of the game.
The Bucs Squad Experience will be open 12:30 - 4:00 p.m. in Lot 6D (Tampa Bay Blvd. between Gates C & D) for all children and families attending the game. The Bucs Squad Experience will include inflatable football activities, interactive PLAY 60 football clinics, as well as visits from Captain Fear (1:30- 2:30 p.m.) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders (2:15 - 3:00 p.m.) for children to enjoy free of charge.
HALFTIME ENTERTAINMENT: YOUTH FOOTBALL SCRIMMAGE
At halftime of Sunday's contest, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host more than 125 youth football players ages 7-10 to participate in a scrimmage. Fans at Raymond James Stadium will have the chance to cheer on the Sarasota Sun Devils vs. North Port Mustangs and the Ocala Raiders A vs. Ocala Raiders B as the youth athletes compete on the same field as their favorite NFL team.
TEAM INTRODUCTIONS AND HONORARY GUESTS OF THE GAME
For team introductions, local students Alyson Bences, Colin Chivers, Ashley Thomas and Daniel White will lead the Buccaneers out of the tunnel. These students, from the Davenport School of the Arts, have been the most active in "Fuel Up to Play 60" challenges on their campus. Following the national anthem, Abriana Traver, Kiara Torres, Tana'a Adamsand Kaitlin Council from New River Elementary will serve as the team's Honorary Guests of the Game for the coin toss. These students have also excelled in the "Fuel Up to Play 60" initiatives at their respective school.
HERO OF THE GAME
Before kickoff, the Buccaneers will continue a tradition with the team's military Hero of the Game. At every Buccaneers home game, a selected military member will be stationed on the Pirate Ship in Buccaneer Cove for the ringing of the ship bell and to ready the team for action. This week, the Buccaneers will honor U.S. Army Air Corps Sergeant Edward Dement, Sr. Sergeant Dement served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942 – 1945 during World War II. As a Turret Gunner with the 456 Bomb Group, Sergeant Dement became a P.O.W. and survived two years in German prison camps. For his bravery and commitment to service, Sergeant Dement was awarded a Silver Star, three Purple Hearts, four Air Medals, two Presidential Citations, four Battle Stars, Good Conduct, a P.O.W. Medal, and the Victory Award.
SALUTE TO SERVICE SUITE
At every Buccaneers home game, the team honors a distinguished group of military members with an exclusive gameday experience in the Salute to Service Suite supported by Jabil. During a break in play, fans are encouraged to direct their attention to the pirate ship and join players and coaches in thanking local servicemen and servicewomen for their sacrifices, including:
- From the Air Force, Senior Airman Caleb Seltz
- From the Army, Specialist Guillermo Arguellesand Staff Sergeant Ashley Lowery
- From the Coast Guard, Petty Officer First Class Darren Johnson and Ensign Jonathan Roth
- From the Marines, Gunnery Sergeant Timothy Peterson
- From the Navy, Lieutenant Commander David Spalding
BUCCANEERS ACADEMY 50/50 RAFFLE
On gameday, fans have the opportunity to participate in the Buccaneers Academy 50/50 Raffle while supporting a worthwhile cause. Each raffle ticket purchased will go towards a huge cash prize, in which fifty percent of the net proceeds help support the team's 24 Buccaneers Academies around the Tampa Bay area and other Bucs Care Foundation initiatives. The other fifty percent will go to one lucky winner. Tickets are available in-game at kiosks located in section 106, 115, 131, 140 and each club level as well as mobile sellers throughout the stadium and on the Buccaneers app. For a complete list of rules and regulations, locate a kiosk or mobile seller on game day. To learn more, visit www.buccaneers.com/5050.
BUCCANEERS ACADEMY GAMEDAY FOR KIDS GUESTS
The Bucs Care Foundation hosts 100 "Gameday for Kids" from the Buccaneers Academy program to promote academic achievement and positive behavior in children. Selected groups receive game tickets, t-shirts, food vouchers and Buccaneers flags by achieving goals set by their teachers. More than 16,000 youths and community members representing over 100 organizations from Tampa Bay have been rewarded through the annual program. This game's attendees will represent Cleveland Elementary, Mort Elementaryand Tampa Bay Boulevard Elementary.
BUCS FOR A BETTER BAY
Bucs for a Better Bay is the team's far-reaching commitment to making Tampa Bay better today and for generations to come. A key component is the Buccaneers Academy programming, through which the Buccaneers provide resources, enhanced curriculum, and hands-on participation from Buccaneers players and cheerleaders to over 16,000 underserved students and 2,200 teachers at 24 elementary schools the team has adopted throughout Hillsborough County. Each of the schools in the Buccaneers Academy program, most of which are Title I schools, has also received a court-sized shade cover that provides an improved environment for students to safely participate in physical health and wellness activities.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers players, coaches, cheerleaders, alumni, and staff have an active role in community improvement through a variety of youth health and education initiatives, family outreach, and military support. Innovative partnerships between the Bucs Care Foundation and local nonprofit organizations provide assistance to thousands of Central Florida residents each year. Glazer Family Foundation initiatives including the Glazer Family Foundation Vision Mobile and the Glazer Children's Museum continue to enhance learning opportunities for Bay Area youths. To learn more, visit www.buccaneers.com/community.
