Tampa Bay Buccaneers facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Current season
Logo Wordmark Uniforms
Basic info
Established	April 24, 1974; 51 years ago (April 24, 1974)
Colors	Buccaneer red, pewter, orange, black
Fight song	"Hey! Hey! Tampa Bay!"
Mascot	Captain Fear
Personnel
Owner(s)	Glazer family
Chairman	Bryan Glazer Joel Glazer Edward Glazer
President	Darcie Glazer Kassewitz
General manager	Jason Licht
Head coach	Todd Bowles
Nicknames
The Bucs
Team history
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1976–present)
Home fields
Tampa Stadium (1976–1997) Raymond James Stadium (1998–present)
League / conference affiliations
National Football League (1976–present) American Football Conference (1976) AFC West (1976) National Football Conference (1977–present) NFC Central (1977–2001) NFC South (2002–present)
Championships
League championships: 2 Super Bowl championships: 2 2002 (XXXVII), 2020 (LV)
Conference championships: 2 NFC: 2002, 2020
Division championships: 9 NFC Central: 1979, 1981, 1999 NFC South: 2002, 2005, 2007, 2021, 2022, 2023
Playoff appearances (14)
NFL: 1979, 1981, 1982, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Owner(s)
Hugh Culverhouse (1974–1994) Malcolm Glazer (1995–2014) Glazer family (2014–present)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, often called the Bucs, are a professional American football team from Tampa, Florida. They play in the National Football League (NFL) as part of the National Football Conference (NFC) South division. The Buccaneers joined the NFL in 1976 as a new team, along with the Seattle Seahawks. They first played in the American Football Conference (AFC) West division.

Before the 1977 season, Tampa Bay and Seattle switched conferences. The Buccaneers moved to the NFC Central division. The Seahawks later rejoined the NFC in 2002. This made the Buccaneers the only NFL team not to play in their original conference. In 2002, the league changed its divisions. The Buccaneers joined three former NFC West teams to form the NFC South. The team is owned by the Glazer family. They play their home games at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

The Buccaneers have won two Super Bowl championships. They are one of only two NFL teams that have won multiple Super Bowls without losing any. For their first two decades, they were known as a team that often lost. They had a record of 26 straight losses in their first two seasons. This included a season with no wins. They also had 14 losing seasons in a row from 1983 to 1996. This is the longest streak in NFL history.

Despite these early challenges, Tampa Bay was the first new team after the AFL–NFL merger to win a division title. They also won a playoff game and hosted a conference championship. They did all of this by their fourth season in 1979. The team's image improved by their first championship in 2002. This was also the first Super Bowl win for any of the six teams created after the merger. They did not win another playoff game until their second Super Bowl championship season in 2020.

Team History

Early Years: The John McKay Era (1976–1984)

The Buccaneers joined the NFL in 1976 in the AFC West. The next year, they moved to the NFC Central. This move was planned by the league. It allowed both new teams to play each other twice. They also played every other NFL team once in their first two seasons.

Tampa Bay had a tough first season, going 0–14. They lost games by a lot of points. Only three games were close. Until the Detroit Lions in 2008, the 1976 Bucs were the only team in the Super Bowl era to have a winless season. Their losing streak became a joke on TV shows. The team did not win their first game until the 13th week of their second season. They started with a record of 0–26. Their first win was on December 11, 1977, against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints' coach was fired after this loss. The Bucs won again the next week against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals' coach was also fired soon after.

The Buccaneers got better in 1978, finishing 5–11. They had a strong defense that allowed few points. In the 1979 season, things improved quickly. Quarterback Doug Williams and tight end Jimmie Giles got better. Running back Ricky Bell had his first 1,000-yard rushing season. The defense was very strong, led by future Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon. The Bucs started the season with five wins in a row. This put them on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

With four games left, the Bucs needed one win to make the playoffs. They lost three games in a row. But in the last game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay won 3–0 in a heavy rain. They finished 10–6, their first winning season. They won the Central Division. In the playoffs, they upset the Philadelphia Eagles 24–17. They then hosted the NFC Championship Game but lost to the Los Angeles Rams 9–0. The Buccaneers then had a worse season in 1980, finishing 5–10–1.

The Buccaneers made the playoffs again in the 1981 season by winning their division. They won a thrilling final game against the Detroit Lions. In the playoffs, the Cowboys beat the Bucs 38–0. This is still the team's biggest playoff shutout loss.

The 1982 season started 0–3. A player strike stopped the NFL for seven weeks. When play restarted, the Bucs were called the "Cardiac Kids." They won five of their next six games in the last moments. They finished 5–4 and made the playoffs. They lost to the Cowboys again, 30–17. This was the last winning season for the team under owner Hugh Culverhouse.

Before the 1983 season, Williams left due to a salary disagreement. The Bucs lost their first nine games and finished 2–14. This was the start of 12 straight seasons with at least ten losses, an NFL record. During this time, they drafted Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson. Jackson refused to play for Tampa Bay. He chose to play baseball for the Kansas City Royals instead. Other Bucs quarterbacks from this era, like Steve Young and Trent Dilfer, later won Super Bowls with other teams. In 1984, the team went 6–10 in John McKay's last season as coach.

Leeman Bennett coached the team to 2–14 records in 1985 and 1986. He was then fired. Ray Perkins took over in 1987. Under Perkins, the team never won more than five games in a season. He was fired during the 1990 season.

Under Culverhouse, the Bucs made money in the 1980s. But this was because he kept player salaries very low. This made it hard to sign good players. Attendance at games also dropped. For a while, home games were not shown on local TV.

Later, the team signed Hardy Nickerson, a great linebacker. They drafted future Hall of Famers John Lynch in 1993, and Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks in 1995. Running back Mike Alstott was drafted in 1996.

The Glazer Family Era (1995–Present)

After Hugh Culverhouse passed away in 1994, his family sold the team. Malcolm Glazer bought the team for $192 million. This was the highest price ever paid for a sports team at the time. Glazer promised to keep the team in Tampa. But he said a new stadium was needed. The Glazers convinced local voters to raise sales taxes to build Raymond James Stadium.

Tony Dungy's Coaching (1996–2001)

The Glazers' commitment helped the Bucs become competitive. They hired Tony Dungy as head coach. The team also changed its uniforms to a modern look.

In Dungy's first season, the team struggled early, starting 1–8. But they finished strong, winning 5 of their last 7 games. This was thanks to a strong defense led by Nickerson, Brooks, Lynch, and Sapp. Dungy brought a calm style of coaching. His "Cover 2" defense, perfected by defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, became famous as the "Tampa 2". Many other teams copied this defense.

The team started the 1997 season 5–0. They finished 10–6, making the playoffs for the first time since 1982. They won their last game at Houlihan's Stadium (old Tampa Stadium) against the Lions. They lost to the Packers in the playoffs. Still, there was hope for the future.

The 1998 season was the first in the new Raymond James Stadium. The Bucs lost many close games and finished 8–8.

The 1999 season was much better. The team had the NFL's third-best defense. Rookie quarterback Shaun King helped them finish 11–5. They won their third NFC Central Division Championship. They beat the Washington Redskins 14–13 in the playoffs. They then lost to the St. Louis Rams 11–6 in the NFC Championship Game. The loss was controversial due to a reversed pass call. The NFL later changed the rules about incomplete passes because of this play.

The Bucs made the playoffs in 2000 and 2001. But they lost both times in cold weather games against the Eagles in Philadelphia.

Jon Gruden's Coaching and Super Bowl Win (2002–2008)

Dungy was fired after the 2001 season. The Bucs then hired Jon Gruden from the Oakland Raiders. This was a costly move. The Bucs gave the Raiders four draft picks and $8 million in cash for Gruden. Gruden was happy to return to Tampa Bay, where he had spent part of his childhood.

Gruden immediately worked to improve the offense. He changed more than half of the starting offensive players. The league also moved the Bucs to the new NFC South Division.

Super Bowl XXXVII Champions (2002)

The 2002 season was the team's most successful. They had the league's best defense. Linebacker Derrick Brooks was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. They won the NFC South title with a 12–4 record. They scored more points in two playoff wins against the 49ers and Eagles than in all their previous playoff games combined. They beat the Eagles 27–10. Ronde Barber sealed the win with an interception returned for a touchdown. The Bucs then beat Gruden's former team, the Raiders, 48–21 in Super Bowl XXXVII. This game was called 'The Pirate Bowl'.

After the Super Bowl win, there were reports of problems between Gruden and general manager Rich McKay. McKay left the team in December 2003. The Bucs struggled in the 2003 season, finishing 7–9.

In 2004, Bruce Allen became general manager. Key players John Lynch and Warren Sapp were released. The Bucs started the 2004 season 1–5. They finished 5–11.

In the 2005 season, the Bucs celebrated their 30th year. They returned to winning ways. They drafted Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, who brought a strong running game. Williams won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. The team started 5–1. Quarterback Brian Griese was injured. Replacement Chris Simms led the team to a division title, finishing 11–5. They lost in the Wild Card round to the Redskins.

The Bucs had a bad 2006 season due to many injuries. They finished 4–12. The defense was not ranked in the top ten for the first time since 1996.

In 2007, the Bucs signed new players like quarterback Jeff Garcia. They won the NFC South title in the 2007 season, finishing 9–7. They lost to the Giants in the playoffs.

In 2008, the Bucs started 9–3. But they lost their last four games and missed the playoffs. Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin announced he was leaving. Jon Gruden was fired after the season.

Raheem Morris's Coaching (2009–2011)

Raheem Morris became the new head coach. The 2009 team started 0–7. Rookie quarterback Josh Freeman took over and led the team to their first win. They finished 3–13.

The 2010 season was a surprise. The team improved greatly, finishing 10–6. This was thanks to Freeman, rookie receiver Mike Williams, and LeGarrette Blount. They just missed the playoffs.

The 2011 season started with high hopes. But after a 4–2 start, the team lost ten games in a row and finished 4–12. Morris was fired.

Greg Schiano's Coaching (2012–2013)

Greg Schiano became the new head coach. He brought a strict style. The team signed top players like Vincent Jackson and Carl Nicks.

The team finished the 2012 season 7–9. They were first in rushing defense. Running back Doug Martin had a great season. Schiano's strict coaching caused some controversy.

In the 2013 season, the team had high expectations. But they struggled. There were reports of issues between Schiano and quarterback Josh Freeman. Freeman was benched and then released. The team started 0–8. They got their first win against Miami. They finished 4–12. Schiano and general manager Mark Dominik were fired.

Lovie Smith's Coaching (2014–2015)

On January 1, 2014, Lovie Smith was hired as the new head coach. Smith had coached linebackers for the Bucs before. He wanted to bring back the team's strong defense from the late 1990s. Jason Licht was hired as the new general manager. He planned to build the team through drafting new players.

After signing veteran quarterback Josh McCown, many thought the Bucs would do well. But they started 0–3, including a big loss to the Falcons. McCown was injured. The team finished 2–14, one of the worst records in the NFL. This gave them the first pick in the 2015 NFL draft.

Despite the team's record, rookie receiver Mike Evans had over 1,000 receiving yards. He became the youngest NFL player to have over 200 receiving yards in one game.

In 2015, the Bucs drafted Jameis Winston as their new quarterback. On January 6, 2016, Smith was fired after two seasons with an 8–24 record.

Dirk Koetter's Coaching (2016–2018)

On January 15, 2016, Dirk Koetter became the new head coach. The team started 3–5. But they then won five games in a row, their longest streak since 2002. They finished the 2016 season 9–7, but missed the playoffs.

In 2017, the Bucs signed new players like DeSean Jackson. But they struggled and finished 5–11. This was their tenth season in a row without making the playoffs.

The 2018 season started 2–0. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick played very well. He became the first NFL player to throw for over 400 yards in three straight games. But the team's defense struggled. Koetter was fired after the team finished 5–11 again.

Bruce Arians' Coaching and Second Super Bowl (2019–2021)

Bruce Arians became the 12th head coach on January 8, 2019. The Bucs also hired Byron Leftwich as offensive coordinator and Todd Bowles as defensive coordinator.

In the 2019 season, the Bucs finished 7–9. They had the best run defense in the league. Jameis Winston set team records for passing yards (5,109) and touchdown passes (33). However, he also threw 30 interceptions. He was not re-signed by the team.

Super Bowl LV Champions (2020)

The Buccaneers made a huge move in 2020 by signing veteran quarterback Tom Brady. Brady is considered one of the greatest players ever. He left the New England Patriots after 20 seasons to join the Bucs.

Later, tight end Rob Gronkowski, Brady's former teammate, came out of retirement to join the Bucs. The team also signed running back Leonard Fournette and wide receiver Antonio Brown.

In the 2020 season, Tampa Bay made the playoffs for the first time since 2007. Brady set a team record with 40 passing touchdowns. Receiver Mike Evans set an NFL record with 7 straight 1,000-yard seasons to start his career.

In the playoffs, the Buccaneers beat the Washington Football Team 31–23. This was their first playoff win since winning Super Bowl XXXVII in 2002. They then beat the Saints 30–20 to reach the NFC Championship Game. They defeated the Packers to advance to Super Bowl LV. They faced the defending champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bucs beat the Chiefs 31–9 to win their second Super Bowl. Raymond James Stadium was chosen to host Super Bowl LV in 2017. This made the Buccaneers the first team in NFL history to play in and win a Super Bowl in their home stadium.

In 2021, the Buccaneers re-signed all 22 of their starters from the Super Bowl team. This was the first time a team in the salary cap era (since 1994) did this.

After the 2021 season, they finished 13–4. They beat the Philadelphia Eagles 31–15 in the Wild Card Round. But their title defense ended with a close 30–27 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Todd Bowles' Coaching (2022–Present)

On March 30, 2022, Bruce Arians suddenly resigned. Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles was named the new head coach.

Tom Brady announced his retirement, but then returned. Despite signing new players, the Bucs struggled in Bowles' first season. They finished 8–9 and lost to the Cowboys in the playoffs. Brady announced his second retirement soon after. In 2023, the Bucs hired Dave Canales as offensive coordinator. They signed quarterback Baker Mayfield. In the 2023 season, the Buccaneers won the NFC South with a 9–8 record. They beat the Philadelphia Eagles 32–9 in the Wild Card Round. Their season ended with a 31–23 loss to the Detroit Lions.

Team Defense: A Strong Tradition

The Buccaneers have always been known for their strong defense. This started with drafting Hall of Fame defensive end Lee Roy Selmon in 1976. Three Bucs players have won the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award. The team has led the league in total defense three times, including their 2002 championship season. Their defense was key to their 2020 Super Bowl win. All five Buccaneers in the Hall of Fame are defensive players or coaches.

Early Defensive Power (1978–1982)

Led by Selmon and other strong players, the early Buccaneers were known for their defense. Their 3–4 defense was best in 1979. They led the league in total defense and points allowed. Lee Roy Selmon was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

The Famous Tampa 2 Defense (1997–2008)

The team drafted important players like John Lynch (1993), and Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks (1995). Then, Monte Kiffin became defensive coordinator in 1996. This set the stage for one of the best defensive runs in NFL history. From 1997 to 2008, the Bucs defense was almost always in the league's top ten.

Kiffin and head coach Tony Dungy created the "Tampa 2" defense. This was a new version of an existing defense. It was known for players tackling together, great team speed, and strong pressure on the quarterback. Many teams tried to copy the Tampa 2. But none had the same success as the Buccaneers. Their defense included future Hall of Famers like Brooks, Lynch, Sapp, and Ronde Barber.

The Incredible 2002 Defense

The 2002 Buccaneers defense is considered one of the greatest in NFL history. In the regular season, Tampa Bay led the league in many categories. These included total defense, points allowed, and interceptions. Derrick Brooks won AP Defensive Player of the Year. The defense led the team to a 12–4 record. They were even better in the playoffs. They allowed only 37 points in three games. They also had 9 interceptions and 11 sacks.

In Super Bowl XXXVII, the Bucs defense played amazingly. They outscored the Raiders' offense. They had 5 interceptions, returning 3 for touchdowns. Defensive back Dwight Smith was the only player in Super Bowl history to have multiple interception returns for touchdowns. Dexter Jackson won Super Bowl MVP for his two interceptions. In 2002, the Bucs had 40 interceptions, 53 sacks, and 9 defensive touchdowns.

Todd Bowles' 3–4 Defense (2019–Present)

When Bruce Arians became coach, he made Todd Bowles the defensive coordinator. The team drafted linebacker Devin White and signed Shaquil Barrett and Ndamukong Suh. With these players, Bowles used a "3–4 defensive scheme" that focused on blitzing. The 2019 Bucs had the best run defense in the league. Barrett led the league with 19.5 sacks.

The defense got even better in 2020. They finished first in run defense and seventh in pass defense. Their young defensive backs played a big role. They were nicknamed the "Grave Diggers." They had great games against MVP Aaron Rodgers and future Hall of Famer Drew Brees. In Super Bowl LV, they held the Chiefs' powerful offense to only 9 points. They had 2 interceptions and 3 sacks. In 2020, the Bucs had 18 interceptions, 58 sacks, and 12 fumble recoveries.

Team Facilities

Since 1998, the Buccaneers have played their home games at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Before that, they played at Tampa Stadium.

In 1975, the Bucs built a small practice facility called One Buccaneer Place. It was near the airport. Players and coaches complained about the noise, small offices, and bad conditions. Coach Jon Gruden jokingly called it "The Woodshed."

In 2006, the Buccaneers opened a new $30 million training facility. It is located across the street from Raymond James Stadium. This modern facility has offices, meeting rooms, practice fields, a weight room, and a rehabilitation center. In 2017, an indoor practice facility was added. Since 2009, the team has held its training camp at this new complex.

In 2007, statues of players and coaches from the 2002 championship team were placed in the lobby. These included Mike Alstott, Ronde Barber, Derrick Brooks, and Jon Gruden. In 2018, the facility was officially named Advent Health Training Facility.

Team Logos and Uniforms

Team Logos

The Buccaneers have had two main logo and uniform styles. From 1976 to 1996, they used orange, red, and white uniforms with the "Bucco Bruce" logo. Since 1997, they have used red and pewter uniforms with a "skull and swords" logo.

The "Bucco Bruce" logo had three versions. The first was unique in color and design. It was updated in 1992. The 2009 throwback uniforms used a cleaner version of the original. The "skull and swords" logo has also had three versions. The first was smaller. The second was larger and had a different red color and skull design. The current version is similar to the second, but slightly smaller on the helmet.

Original Uniforms (1976–1996)

In 1975, the team chose the name "Buccaneers." Their original colors were orange, red, and white. Orange represented Florida's citrus industry. Red was a nod to local college teams. These uniforms were nicknamed "Creamsicle uniforms" because they looked like the ice cream treat.

A cartoonist named Lamar Sparkman designed the first logo. It showed a pirate with a mustache, a plumed hat, an earring, and a dagger in his teeth. He was winking. Sportswriter Hubert Mizell called him "Bucco Bruce," a name that stuck. Some said Bucco Bruce looked friendly, not scary.

The home uniforms were orange jerseys with white numbers. They had white pants and striped socks. In their first season (1976), they only wore white jerseys for regular season games.

After 1976, the white jerseys changed to have red numbers with an orange outline for better visibility. The striped socks were removed. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the team sometimes wore white at home.

In 1992, the Bucco Bruce logo was updated. The team also introduced orange pants to wear with the white jerseys.

Modern Uniforms (1997–2013)

In 1996, voters approved a new stadium. This meant the team would stay in Tampa. So, plans for new uniforms were restarted. The team wanted a more modern and tough look. Starting in 1997, the main colors became red and pewter, with black and orange as accent colors. The "Bucco Bruce" logo was replaced by a red flag with a white pirate skull and crossed swords. This was like a modified Jolly Roger. The team name was written in a new font.

The new uniforms had red or white jerseys with pewter or white pants. The white-on-white combination was often used in preseason and early regular season games. The red-on-white was used less often. Most games used pewter pants.

Like many teams in warm climates, the Buccaneers often wear their white road jerseys at home early in the season. This makes opponents wear their darker colors in the hot Tampa weather. The visitors' bench at Raymond James Stadium is also in direct sunlight.

At Super Bowl XXXVII in 2002, the Bucs were the home team. They chose to wear their red home jerseys, even though it was a hot day.

Current Uniforms (2014–Present)

The Buccaneers changed their logo and uniforms again in 2014. The jersey numbers had a reflective outline. The helmet logo was bigger, and the facemask was chrome. The old "Creamsicle" orange was brought back as a trim color. Some people thought the numbers looked like digital clock numbers.

In 2015, the Buccaneers wore a "Color Rush" uniform. It had red jerseys and red pants with pewter numbers.

On April 7, 2020, the Buccaneers showed off three new jersey designs. These new uniforms look similar to the 1997–2013 design. They kept the red and white jerseys with white or pewter pants. Their "Color Rush" alternate uniform became all-pewter.

For Super Bowl LV in their home stadium, the Bucs were the home team. They chose to wear their road white jerseys with pewter pants. They had been very successful in this combination during the season. Tampa Bay won the Super Bowl 31–9. This made them the first team to win a Super Bowl in both their red and white jerseys.

In the 2020 season, the Bucs won all 6 games they played in their white jersey/pewter pants combination. This included three playoff wins.

Throwback Uniforms

After their 1997 uniform change, the Buccaneers did not wear their old orange uniforms for a long time. But after more than ten years, fans wanted to see the old uniforms again. In 2008, the team announced they would wear orange throwback uniforms for one game in 2009. This was to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 1979 division championship team.

The orange color was called "Orange Glaze." The dagger-biting pirate logo was cleaned up. The orange, red, and white uniforms first appeared on November 8, 2009, against the Packers. Raymond James Stadium was also decorated to look like the old Tampa Stadium. The Bucs won their first throwback game. This became an annual tradition. But it stopped after 2012 because of league rules about helmets. After changes to these rules, the throwback uniforms returned in 2023.

Team Records and Achievements

• Matt Bryant's 62-yard field goal in 2006 was the third-longest in NFL history at the time.
• The Buccaneers were the first new team after the AFL-NFL merger to win a division title, win a playoff game, and host a conference championship game. This happened in the 1979 season.
• They were also the first new team after the merger to reach and win a Super Bowl (Super Bowl XXXVII in 2002).
• They are the first team since the merger to have a winning season while starting 10 or more rookie players (in 2010).
• Until 2007, the Buccaneers were the only NFL team never to have returned a kickoff for a touchdown in a regular season game. Micheal Spurlock ended this streak in 2007.
• The Bucs had a record of 69 consecutive games with at least one sack (broken in 2003).
• They are the first team ever to play in (and win) a Super Bowl held in their home stadium (LV).
• They are the first team since the start of the salary cap era (1994) to bring back every starting player from their Super Bowl winning team.
• They won 9 consecutive games (including playoffs) while scoring 30 or more points.

Players of Note

Pro Football Hall of Famers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Players
No.	Name	Position	Tenure	Inducted
63	Lee Roy Selmon	DE	1976–1984	1995
8	Steve Young	QB	1985–1986	2005
64	Randall McDaniel	OG	2000–2001	2009
99	Warren Sapp	DT	1995–2003	2013
55	Derrick Brooks	LB	1995–2008	2014
81	Tim Brown	WR	2004	2015
47	John Lynch	S	1993–2003	2021
20	Ronde Barber	CB	1997–2012	2023
24	Darrelle Revis	CB	2013	2023
Coaches and Executives
Name		Position	Tenure	Inducted
Ron Wolf		GM/VP	1976–1978	2015
Tony Dungy		Coach	1996–2001	2016

Retired Numbers

The Buccaneers have officially retired three jersey numbers. These are Lee Roy Selmon's number 63, Derrick Brooks's number 55, and Warren Sapp's number 99. These numbers were retired after the players were inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Other numbers, like Ronde Barber (20), Mike Alstott (40), and John Lynch (47), have not been used since those players retired, even though they are not officially retired. The number 42, worn by the late Ricky Bell, has also been used very little since 1981.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers retired numbers
No.	Player	Position	Tenure	Retired
	Derrick Brooks	LB	1995–2008	September 14, 2014
	Lee Roy Selmon	DE	1976–1984	September 15, 1986
	Warren Sapp	DT	1995–2003	November 11, 2013

Ring of Honor

On November 8, 2009, the team started a new Ring of Honor at Raymond James Stadium. Lee Roy Selmon was the first player inducted. Mike Alstott was honored in 2008 and formally inducted in 2015. Former head coach Jon Gruden was inducted in 2017, but his name was removed in 2021 due to controversy.

The Ring of Honor celebrates players, coaches, or executives who have had a big impact on the team. Players who are also in the Pro Football Hall of Fame have a special logo next to their names.

Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ring of Honor
Year	No.	Name	Position	Tenure	Ceremony
2009	63	Lee Roy Selmon	DE	1976–1984	November 8, 2009
2010	—	John McKay	Head Coach	1976–1984	December 5, 2010
2011	88	Jimmie Giles	TE	1978–1986	December 4, 2011
2012	74	Paul Gruber	OT	1988–1999	October 14, 2012
2013	99	Warren Sapp	DT	1995–2003	November 11, 2013
2014	55	Derrick Brooks	LB	1995–2008	September 14, 2014
2015	40	Mike Alstott	FB	1996–2007	October 4, 2015
	12	Doug Williams	QB	1978–1982	December 6, 2015
2016	47	John Lynch	S	1993–2003	November 13, 2016 (HOF celebration: November 22, 2021)
2017	—	Malcolm Glazer	Owner	1995–2014	October 15, 2017
2018	—	Tony Dungy	Head Coach	1996–2001	September 24, 2018
2019	20	Ronde Barber	CB	1997–2012	September 22, 2019 (HOF celebration: September 25, 2023)
2020	—	Monte Kiffin	Defensive Coordinator	1996–2008	September 19, 2021
2022	—	Bruce Arians	Head Coach Executive	2019–present	January 1, 2023
Removed inductees
2017	—	Jon Gruden	Head Coach	2002–2008	December 18, 2017 (removed October 2021)
Club-wide Recognitions
2021	—	Super Bowl XXXVII Super Bowl LV	—	2002 2020	September 9, 2021

Team Rivalries

Divisional Rivals

Atlanta Falcons

The Buccaneers and Falcons first played in 1977. Their rivalry became stronger after 2002, when they were placed in the same division. They often compete for the division title. The Buccaneers currently lead the series 31–30.

Carolina Panthers

The Buccaneers and Panthers first met in 1995. Their rivalry became intense in the 2000s, known for being "heated" and "physical." Players on both teams suffered serious injuries during their games. The Panthers lead the rivalry 25–22.

New Orleans Saints

Both the Saints and Buccaneers were not very successful teams until the 21st century. Their rivalry grew when they were placed in the NFC South in 2002. The Buccaneers won their first Super Bowl in 2002, and the Saints won theirs seven years later. The Saints lead the rivalry 39–24. The Bucs have won their only playoff meeting.

Conference Rivals

From 1977 to 2001, the Buccaneers played in the NFC Central division. This led to rivalries with the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers.

Green Bay Packers

The Buccaneers and Packers were division rivals for many years. They have played several memorable games, including a "Snow Bowl" in 1985 and the NFC Championship Game in 2021. The Packers lead the series 34–24–1.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Buccaneers and Eagles have a recent playoff rivalry. They have met in the postseason four times since 2000. The Bucs beat the Eagles in the 2021 and 2023 NFC Wild Card games. The Buccaneers lead the all-time series 12–11.

Los Angeles Rams

The Buccaneers and Rams also have a recent rivalry. They have played in the postseason multiple times. The Rams won all three playoff matchups. Both teams have won a Super Bowl in their home stadiums. The Rams lead the all-time series 19–10.

Inter-Conference Rivals

Miami Dolphins

The Buccaneers have a minor rivalry with the Miami Dolphins, another Florida team. Their first game was in 1976. Since the Bucs moved to the NFC, they only play each other occasionally. The Buccaneers lead the all-time regular-season series 7–5.

Images for kids

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  Bell's rushing abilities helped lead Tampa Bay to their first franchise playoff win in 1979.

See also

In Spanish: Tampa Bay Buccaneers para niños