With the player firmly entrenched in their offseason a community event caused a few Bucs players to come back to their practice facility for the first time since the end of the season. The Buccaneers “Play 60 Challenge” had students from local schools compete athletically for thousands of dollars in grants to support their schools.

Bucs staff including players and cheerleaders assisted the event. Among the players participating were wide receiver Arrelious Benn, offensive tackle James Lee, cornerback Myron Lewis, running back Kregg Lumpkin, and linebacker Tyrone McKenzie. General manager Mark Dominik also was at the event and took some time to speak with the students.

“Just being back out here is great,” said Benn. “It is a great organization here at One Buc. I came out here just to have fun with the kids. Play 60 is a great thing as far as getting kids out of the house and exercising. Doing little things and competing against each other and having that great drive to be the best out of all the kids out here.”

McKenzie fired up the kids with a speech before the competition got started, and the Tampa Bay product McKenzie was heavily involved in helping the students max out in different fitness drills. 

“It was fun, I had a great time coming out here with these kids and coaching the kids in the events the Buccaneers set up,” said McKenzie. “Allen [Barrett] is in charge of our community stuff. He always has great things going on and every chance I get I try to come out here and try make an impact on someone’s life.


“I was basically giving them some coaching points that I’ve gotten over the years. Also just telling them to go out there and have fun, and enjoy being with your teammates. That is the same way for me when I’m on the field competing with my teammates. I try to tell the kids to do the same thing.”

The “Play 60 Challenge” is a program between the NFL and the American Heart Association to motivate youth to be active for 60 minutes a day. Lee said that the event brought him back to One Buc since end of the 2010 season. 

“My guy Allen told me to come by and have fun with the kids. It is a fun thing to do,” said Lee. “Coach them up and encourage them. This stuff isn’t easy so they need some motivation.”