On Monday, December 18, when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Atlanta Falcons for Monday Night Football, the team will honor Jon Gruden at halftime with an induction ceremony into the Buccaneers Ring of Honor. Gruden will officially become the 11th member inducted into the Ring of Honor, joining Hall of Fame defensive end Lee Roy Selmon, Head Coach John McKay, Pro Bowl tight end Jimmie Giles, All-Pro tackle Paul Gruber, Hall of Fame defensive tackle Warren Sapp, Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks, All-Pro fullback Mike Alstott, quarterback Doug Williams,nine-time Pro Bowler John Lynch, and the late Buccaneers owner Malcolm Glazer.
In May, it was announced that Glazer and Gruden would be inducted this season, with Glazer's honor taking place on October 5 when the Buccaneers hosted the New England Patriots for Thursday Night Football.
Gruden, who served as the team's head coach from 2002-08, guided the Buccaneers to a 12-4 record in his first season, including a first-place finish in the NFC South en route to delivering a victory in Super Bowl XXXVII. During his seven years in Tampa Bay, Gruden amassed 57 regular season wins – the most in franchise history – while his teams made it to the postseason three times (2002, 2005 and 2007). In 2007, he led the Buccaneers to their third NFC South title in six years, becoming the only coach in team history with three division titles.
Fans attending the primetime nationally-televised game will receive a Buccaneers bucket hat presented by Frontier Communications.
In addition to the Ring of Honor festivities, the team will continue the tradition of honoring local heroes throughout gameday with the Hero of the Game and the Salute to Service Suite, supported by Jabil, amongst other recognition activities.
HONORARY FLAG RUNNERS: DEUCE, MIKE AND JAYSON GRUDEN
For team introductions, Jon and Cindy Gruden's sons Deuce, Mike and Jayson will lead the players out of the tunnel as the Buccaneers' Honorary Flag Runners.
HONORARY GUESTS OF THE GAME: CINDY GRUDEN AND FAMILY
Following player introductions, Jon's wife, Cindy, along with their sons, will serve as the team's Honorary Guests of the Game and join the Buccaneers captains at midfield for the coin toss.
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 to ready the team for action. This week, the Buccaneers will honor U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Freeman E. Teuton, U.S. Navy Reserves. Lieutenant Commander Teuton served in the U.S. Navy Reserves after being drafted in 1944 and completing Officer Candidate School with a focus on navigation and convoy tactics. By 1946, Commander Teuton was assigned to the Naval Research Laboratory in North Beach, MD as a skipper who conducted research on radar and sonar navigation. After attending law school at the University of Louisville in 1951, he received orders to board the USS Tel Fair to Japan at the height of the Korean War. For his courage, efficient assistance and selfless devotion to duty, he received the Commanding Officer's Commendation. In 1980, Commander Teuton retired with a total of 36 years and 6 months of Naval Reserve Service.
SALUTE TO SERVICE SUITE, SUPPORTED BY JABIL
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 Army,*Sergeant First Class Robert S. Fitzgerald*
- From the Marines, First SergeantDonald L. Garrison
- From the Navy, Petty Officer* Second Class Scott Halfhill*
- From the Air Force, Senior Airman* Joanne Valencia*
- From the Coast Guard, SeamanMichael Clark *and Commander Brian Donahue*
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BUCS CARE FOUNDATION 50/50 RAFFLE
On gameday, fans have the opportunity to participate in theBucs Care Foundation 50/50 Raffle** while supporting a worthwhile cause. Each raffle ticket purchased will go towards a huge cash prize, in which 50 percent of the net proceeds help support the team's 24 Buccaneers Academies and Bucs Care Foundation initiatives throughout Tampa Bay, while the other 50 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.
**COMMUNITY PLAYER TICKET SPOTLIGHT: EVANS' END ZONE CLUB
At every home game, Buccaneers players host fans from non-profit organizations throughout the Tampa Bay area. On Monday, the gameday Community Player Ticket Spotlight will featureEvans' End Zone Club.** Wide receiver Mike Evans and his wife, Ashli, recently launched the Mike Evans Family Foundation. The foundation, which will focus its support in the communities of Tampa Bay and Galveston, Texas, plans to develop a college scholarship program to students in need and also provide assistance to families who have been impacted by domestic violence. This past week, the Evans family hosted a variety of events to kick off the foundation, including a fundraising dinner with teammates and community members, a private holiday event for residents at a domestic violence shelter, and an afternoon of surprises at One Buccaneer Place for 13 high-achieving students from Sulphur Springs Community School.
**BUCS SQUAD EXPERIENCE & BUCS SQUAD TWO-MINUTE DRILL AT RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM
The Tampa Bay BuccaneersBucs Squadis 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 SquadTwo-Minute Drill** from 7:00 p.m. until the end of the game in section 137.
The Bucs Squad Experience will be open 5:00 - 8:30 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 (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders (5:30 - 6:15 p.m.) for children to enjoy free of charge.**
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 representEdison Elementary, Lanier Elementary and Winthrop Charter School.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.
