My name is Specialist Matthew Litzenberger. My father (Karl Litzenberger) and I have been life-long Buccaneers fans and season ticket holders (Section 133 ROW Y Seats 19 and 20).

My father took me to my first Bucs game when I was five years old, taught me the game of football and I was a die-hard Buccaneer ever since. Our love of the Bucs even when they were a losing team for many years helped reinforce lessons on perseverance and loyalty my father bestowed upon me. We would go to training camp together, and I was one of the few kids growing up to have a Vinny Testaverde, Reggie Cobb, Errict Rhett jersey. I have pictures as a boy with Sam Wyche and Hardy Nickerson.

Up until this current season I had missed only seven Buccaneer home games in 20 years. Even through college I would drive 2.5 hours from the University of Florida to root for the Bucs with my father. The Bucs were a building block for my great relationship with my dad. We even culminated a Bucs fans dream by traveling to San Diego and watching the Bucs win the Super Bowl.

I am currently deployed to Forward Operating Base Iskan, Iraq with 3/7 IN BN. I will be watching and rooting passionately for the Bucs on the Armed Forces Network. My father, family, and I have had a catch phrase we say right before kickoff of every Bucs game for good luck. We say “Hit them in the mouth.”

Unfortunately, due to my deployment, I have missed as many home games this season as I have in the 20 years prior. I know you are very busy and get hundreds of requests from fans, but if there is any way you could display our good luck phrase/picture (I attached) on the video board to let my father know that while I can’t be there with him to watch the Bucs beat the Giants, I am there in spirit, and thanks for all that he has done for me.

It would mean so much to he and I if this could be possible. I do understand if this isn’t possible, but my father also taught me it can never hurt to ask. Either way I just wanted to let everyone at the Buccaneers organization know that not only have you been part of my life growing up, but even in a war zone the Bucs bring me happiness and help keep me going over here through the challenges I face.

I don't have much time to look up e-mail addresses so if you know of anyone within the Bucs organization that could help could you please forward them my message. Thank you for your time.

B-U-C-C-A-N-E-E-R-S…GO BUCS! “Hit Them in The Mouth” this Sunday,

SPC Matthew Litzenberger

Pewter Report has forwarded this letter on to the Buccaneers and hopes that SPC Litzenberger and his comrades will have a safe and successful mission while serving our country over in Iraq.

Want the inside scoop on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 2007 season and 2008 offseason plans? Want to find out who the Bucs are targeting in free agency and the NFL Draft next year? Subscribe to PewterReport.com's Pewter Insider by clicking here.

Comments