In an offseason full of major changes for the Bucs, such as a new offensive coordinator and a quarterback competition, a subject of much conversation has been not who’s playing for Tampa Bay, but what they’ll be wearing. A lot of excitement came over the city when the Bucs announced the return of the creamsicle Bucco Bruce throwback uniforms – a uniform Tampa Bay hasn’t worn as an alternate in a decade.

And Tampa Bay’s throwback look won’t be the same uniforms they were in 2012, which was the last year the team donned the orange and white. The team made that distinction in a press release a few weeks ago.

“Several home game themes line the 2023 schedule at Raymond James Stadium, including a look at the reimagined 70s-era “Creamsicle” uniforms the team will wear against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, October 15, in Week Six.”

The only Buccaneer on the roster to have previously worn the creamsicle uniforms was inside linebacker Lavonte David, who is a big fan of its new iteration.

Lavonte David Shares His Opinion On Bucs New Creamsicles

Bucs ILB Lavonte David

“I love it, I love it,” David said during mandatory mini-camp. “I got a little glimpse of them, they’re not like the ones I wore in 2012.”

As a team captain and one of the best players in franchise history, David has been privy to see many exciting items that the Bucs would later show to the public. The first thing that comes to mind was when the Bucs got new uniforms in 2020, but more importantly he got a sneak peak at the Bucs’ Super Bowl championship rings after they won it for that season. David can add the creamsicles to the list.

So what are the changes? David was rather tight lipped about it.

“I can’t tell you all right now,” David said. “But you’re definitely in for a surprise. I like the way they look.”

The team wore the orange and white Bucco Bruce uniforms from 1976 to 1996, so the ones they put on this season could look more like the originals than some of the alterations that were made during their 20-year run.

These jerseys have brought a ton of interest due to their place in history as some of the best throwback uniforms around the league and in every sport. Many Bucs players like to wear different jerseys heading to Raymond James Stadium on game day, including Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

Jamel Dean Had The Creamsicles In Mind For A While

Former Bucs CB Ronde Barber – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Another players that shares excitement and appreciation for vintage uniforms is cornerback Jamel Dean, who expressed his enthusiasm over the announcement.

“I’m so excited to wear those,” Dean said. “I’ve been waiting for years to wear them. I was like “Damn, I hope I’m on the team when they bring these jerseys back. It’s exciting because once I get it, I’m keeping it forever.”

Jersey swaps have become a common post-game exchange in the NFL recently, but don’t expect Dean to give away this uniform.

“No jersey swap, I’m not jersey swapping,” Dean said. “It’s a rare piece of item right now because we went like what? A decade without them? So now when you see them bringing them back it’s ‘Oh man, we miss seeing these,’ and you never know when they’re going to bring them back.”

For more information on the history of the creamsicle jersey and overall opinion of their return, check out this recent episode of the Pewter Report Podcast, energized by Celsius, where we spent the whole show discussing it.