The Tampa Bay Buccaneers called on local fans to “stay safe” as Hurricane Milton strikes Florida.
Earlier this week, the Buccaneers departed Tampa and relocated to New Orleans ahead of their NFC South divisional clash with the Saints on Sunday. The Bucs weren’t the only sports franchise to move; on Monday, the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning left for Raleigh, North Carolina to continue preparations for their season-opener against the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night.
On Wednesday, Milton – a Category 5 hurricane – made landfall and the Buccaneers posted a message of support for their fans. Along with a photo of palm trees and clear blue skies, the Bucs took to X to write: “Stay safe, Florida.”
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It’s the third time in the past seven years the Bucs have shifted operations to another area to avoid bad weather. Back in 2017, the season-opening clash versus the Miami Dolphins was postponed due to Hurricane Irma, with the franchise chartering planes to take players, coaches, and families to Charlotte, North Carolina to escape the storm.
Then in 2020, the Bucs were forced to practice at the Miami Dolphins’ training facility before returning home to play the Kansas City Chiefs. This time, the Glazer family – who have owned the franchise since 1995 – organized two planes for approximately 350 people and 31 pets, which included players, coaches, and staff, who also had the ability to include their immediate family members and pets.
The Bucs have also purchased more than 200 hotel rooms in the Orlando and Gainesville areas for employees and families who wanted to evacuate from their homes to escape the storm. It remains to be seen how the movement will impact the Bucs as they prepare to face the Saints.
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At 3-2, Tampa Bay is second in the NFC South behind the Atlanta Falcons after Baker Mayfield was outduelled by Kirk Cousins in a Thursday Night Football classic. But the 2-3 Saints – who fell to the Chiefs on Monday night – are just a game back and can drag themselves into division contention with victory at the Superdome.
The NBA has also been affected by the storm. The Miami Heat’s clash with the Atlanta Hawks was postponed six days from Thursday to the following Wednesday.
Meanwhile, countless high school sports events scheduled around Florida were called off. In many counties, officials were waiting to see what would happen with football games scheduled for Thursday and Friday, with the possibility of flooding set to impact events alongside wreckage.
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