Think about why you love Bucs football.

Whatever came to mind, there's a good chance that it was represented somehow, some way Tuesday night at the historic Tampa Theatre. The Bucs hosted a premiere event for their upcoming documentary, "Raise the Flags," which is just one of the organization's many ways to celebrate the 50th season in 2025.

This summer has featured the Bucs' Best Moments bracket, the unveiling of the special 1976 throwback uniforms, the top 50 Bucs of all time list and plenty more. But Tuesday night's premiere was the perfect way to blend past and present in celebration of 50 seasons, and it was a spectacular way to get everyone ready for the regular season to kick off this Sunday.

There will be more details to come on the documentary release itself, but for now, here's the best attempt we can make at recapping a night that felt like a real love letter to anyone and everyone who has been a part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' story – and especially Buccaneer fans.

The Idea Behind The Bucs' "Raise The Flags" Documentary

After appearances on the red carpet from the Glazer family, Doug Williams, Jason Licht, Jon Gruden, Brad Johnson, Mike Evans, Jimmie Giles, and Ali Marpet, the event began in earnest inside the Tampa Theatre with a prolonged trailer for "Raise the Flags," which included clips and interview snippets from so many important figures in Bucs history.

From there, team reporter Casey Phillips introduced owner and co-chairman Ed Glazer, who spearheaded the idea for the documentary. In addition to speaking generally about the documentary, Glazer also explained his longtime friendship with the documentary's Emmy-winning director, Trent Cooper. Cooper helped the Glazers and the Bucs with a project back when the team was opening Raymond James Stadium before going on to win Emmy after Emmy as a sports documentary director.

Bucs co-chairmen Joel Glazer and Ed Glazer – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Glazer went on to tell a story from 2019 when the Bucs were getting ready to interview Bruce Arians for their head coaching job. Glazer recalled watching "All or Nothing: A Season With the Arizona Cardinals" to get some background on Arians. Not only did the fiery head coach's demeanor throughout the documentary sell him on the idea of bringing him on board in Tampa Bay, but the documentary's credits gave him another revelation.

Glazer said he saw the name "Trent Cooper" and found himself wondering if it was the same guy who had helped with the Raymond James Stadium project all those years ago, and sure enough, it was. So, when Glazer came up with the idea for this documentary in celebration of the team's 50th season, he knew it had to be Cooper who would direct it.

Cooper followed Glazer to continue the event, explaining the work that has gone into "Raise the Flags." He said the process began 14 months ago and that they have done over 100 interviews for it before going on to thank several former Bucs players and coaches, as well as their families, for how gracious they were with their time throughout. In fact, Cooper said Super Bowl XXXVII-winning head coach Jon Gruden sat down and talked with him and the crew for five hours during the process.

Special guests from Bucs' "Raise the Flags" premiere event Photo by: Bailey Adams/PR

Cooper, who grew up in Lakeland, also detailed the roots of his own Bucs fandom, telling a story about a neighbor giving him and his family tickets to a game when he was just 7 years old. As it turned out, that game was the team's first-ever home win back in 1978. From there, he said, he was hooked. In case you needed any more background on what a passion project this is, Cooper said he has watched every single game since that day.

Cooper went on to explain that the documentary actually isn't even finished yet, but there will be more details on its release to come. For Tuesday night, though, the crowd in attendance at the Tampa Theatre got to see five never-before-seen clips and hear from the people behind them.

From The Bucs' Humble Roots To Their First Taste Of Success

The first of the five clips covered the Bucs' rise from their 0-26 start over 1976 and 1977 to the team's breakthrough 1979 season. There were highlights from Tampa Bay's hot start to that season, as well as a glimpse at the late-season slide that saw the team fail to clinch the NFC Central week in and week out.

Of course, that culminated in footage from the "Rain Bowl" game against the Chiefs at Tampa Stadium, as well as a glimpse into the scene inside the locker room after the Bucs clinched the division and their first-ever playoff berth.

Former Bucs TE Jimmie Giles Photo by: Bailey Adams/PR

Casey Phillips then brought out Bucs Ring of Honor members Doug Williams and Jimmie Giles, the quarterback-tight end duo that helped lead the charge for that Buccaneer team, to discuss their memories of that era and especially that season. Both Williams and Giles spoke about how they had never been losers throughout all of their football lives and that they were determined not to be losers upon arriving in Tampa with a franchise that had known nothing but losing since its inception.

The duo shared a couple of special moments and threw some friendly jabs at each other, with Williams saying that his interception in the Rain Bowl against the Chiefs happened because Giles stopped running his route. Giles went on to say his favorite memory of that season was the first time Williams threw him two touchdowns because as he put it, "I was always open."

Trading For Jon Gruden In The Dead Of Night To Change Everything

Up next were some fascinating interviews from Joel and Ed Glazer. Without giving too much away, they explained the behind-the-scenes of the late-night, down-to-the-wire effort to acquire head coach Jon Gruden in a trade with the Oakland Raiders. Gruden spoke on the whirlwind that led to him becoming Tampa Bay's head coach, then went on to talk about the 2002 team that went on to win the franchise's first Super Bowl.

Also included in that excerpt were interviews with the likes of Warren Sapp, Ronde Barber, Derrick Brooks, Simeon Rice and John Lynch on their early impressions of Gruden and the "war" he waged on the defense from the jump. Quarterback Brad Johnson also spoke in the clip about what it was like meeting with Gruden and playing quarterback for him.

Former Bucs QB Brad Johnson – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Gruden and Johnson then joined Casey Phillips on stage and discussed their initial meetings and impressions, as well as that Super Bowl XXXVII season as a whole. Unsurprisingly, Gruden was a natural show-stealer, but Johnson was just as engaging, showcasing that he still has the ability to rattle off Gruden's comically lengthy play calls on multiple occasions.

Johnson also told a story about how ironic it was that he ended up as teammates with Keyshawn Johnson and ultimately became Gruden's quarterback. The Super Bowl-winning quarterback said Keyshawn Johnson's book "Just Give Me the Damn Ball!" led to him telling his wife he'd never want to be teammates with the volatile receiver only for the two to become teammates in Tampa. He also said he remembers seeing Gruden ripping into his quarterbacks in Oakland and telling his wife how he'd never want to play for him. And, well, that happened in Tampa as well.

Thankfully for Brad Johnson, as well as the Bucs, it all worked out.

A 2024 Moment That Already Ranks Among The Bucs' Best Moments

As much as Tuesday night's event was about the distant past, there was also plenty of focus on the more recent past. In fact, the third clip from the documentary focused on Mike Evans tying Jerry Rice's 1,000-yard season streak just this past January. There was footage from the injury against the Ravens that looked like it could cost Evans a chance at tying the record, then came some highlights from the late-season run that led to the legendary receiver having a chance at reaching the 1,000-yard mark on the regular season's final day.

Of course, the excerpt went on to show that electric moment when Evans made history, as well as the celebrations that followed. Also of note, head coach Todd Bowles was interviewed and talked viewers through the decision to throw the ball in that situation with the playoffs on the line and the game already in hand. During this clip, Bowles was as animated as you'll ever see him. We'll leave it at that for now.

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Casey Phillips then brought Evans and general manager Jason Licht on stage to talk about that moment, as well as Evans' career as a whole. Licht spoke about the process of scouting Evans ahead of the 2014 Draft, saying that at the time, the team needed a quarterback and that he loved Johnny Manziel. But as he watched Manziel, he kept seeing Mike Evans pop up all over the place. Ultimately, he settled on drafting Evans.

However, Licht said a trade proposal came about that he was giving some consideration to. But when speaking with the Glazers, he was asked, "How will you feel when you wake up in the morning and you don't have Mike Evans?" And it was that question that sealed the deal for Licht, who went on to tell Evans on stage something along the lines of "you're welcome for you not being a Cleveland Brown."

Ali Marpet Ends Up On The Wrong Side Of A Tom Brady Tirade

The penultimate clip of the night was absolutely hilarious, as it gave viewers a chance to see what it's like to be on the receiving end of one of Tom Brady's tirades. Brady, always known for demanding the best out of everyone and especially his offensive linemen, was especially fired up this time. The clip came from the 2021 game against the Jets, which the Bucs trailed late. A personal foul from the always-dependable Ali Marpet really got Brady going.

Brady and Marpet themselves, as well as Rob Gronkowski and Tristan Wirfs, recalled the expletive-filled outburst aimed at Marpet after the penalty. As they went on to explain, even after Brady converted the ensuing 3rd & 20, he was still letting Marpet hear it.

Former Bucs LG Ali Marpet – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Brady and Marpet then came up on stage to discuss the clip, the demands of excellence, accountability and the way the culture shifted in 2020. Of course, the scene wasn't complete without the Lombardi Trophy sitting between the two throughout the conversation.

Tom Brady Looks Back On The Bucs' Super Bowl LV Season

The final clip of the night was predictably centered on the Bucs' Super Bowl LV season and their 31-9 title-clinching win over the Chiefs. Several players spoke about the passionate speech Tom Brady gave before that game, which was a big theme of the excerpt. But during the highlight portion of the excerpt, there was footage of Brady getting in Tyrann Mathieu's face, complete with some commentary from a downright giddy Tristan Wirfs.

Bucs QB Tom Brady and Chiefs SS Tyrann Mathieu – Photo by: USA Today

Then, it what ultimately served as the main event of the night, Brady returned to the stage with the Lombardi Trophy and jokingly mimicked the underhand throwing motion he used when tossing the trophy from his boat to Cameron Brate's during the team's championship boat parade.

Brady went on to speak with Casey Phillips about his time in Tampa, including that Super Bowl season. The seven-time Super Bowl champion, who of course spent the first 20 seasons of his career with the Patriots before finishing with three seasons as a Buc, said coming down to Tampa Bay in 2020 was "one of the greatest moments of his life" before spending some time talking about the team's run to the Super Bowl.

Of course, Phillips had to ask Brady about the boat parade, being "overserved" (as Brady put it) and the trophy toss. Despite saying he "hardly remembers" the parade, he detailed how the trophy toss came about, saying the tight ends were telling him all throughout the day to throw it to them. He said it initially wasn't a good idea but somehow throughout the day… it became a good idea. Brady also blamed Blaine Gabbert for being "overserved," said that his kids had probably never seen him "that under the weather" and said that the headache that would ultimately last for the next 36 hours was well worth it.

And to end the night, Brady led the Bucs fans in attendance – who were cheering and showing love to just about anyone who popped up on the screen or showed up on stage all night – in one more "LFG!"