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About the Author: Scott Reynolds
Latest Bucs Headlines
Good news, Bucs fans.
The Buccaneers and the National Football League announced in a press release on Tuesday that Tampa Bay will host the Chicago Bears at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, September 17 at 1:00 p.m. ET, as originally scheduled.
The release said that the Buccaneers, in consultation with the NFL and the Tampa Sports Authority, had been waiting to assess the impact of Hurricane Irma on the area before making a final decision on the venue for the game.
It’s game on, as Tampa Bay will start the 2017 season as planned after a Week 1 bye as the NFL postponed the Bucs vs. Dolphins game in Miami to Week 11, which was the original bye week for both teams.
Bucs TE Cameron Brate – Photo by: Mark Lomoglio/PR
“We have been working tirelessly with the Tampa Sports Authority, as well as the NFL league office, to ensure that Raymond James Stadium would be available to host our season opener against the Chicago Bears this Sunday,” said Bucs chief operating officer Brian Ford. “Hosting the game is important to us, as Tampa Bay has been through a lot over the past few days. We look forward to providing our fans and the entire region an opportunity to come together this Sunday to kick off our 2017 season.”
Sunday’s game will mark Tampa Bay’s season opener and the third straight season that the Buccaneers have played host to the Bears, including last season’s 36-10 Tampa Bay victory. Limited seats are still available for the game.
Additionally, the Glazer family, owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, have committed $1 million to the American Red Cross in support of relief efforts that are underway in response to Hurricane Irma.
Buccaneers co-chairman Bryan Glazer said in a press release: “Hurricane Irma left a path of destruction throughout the entire state of Florida. The long recovery process is already underway and the entire Buccaneer organization stands in support of all those who have been impacted. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected as well as the countless numbers of first responders and everyone who is working so selflessly to keep our communities safe.”
