THE BUCS ISSUE: SEASONS
BUILDING A LEGACY
FROM THE EDITOR
by Kathy Saunders
TOUCHDOWN TAMPA BAY inside
This month, we’re celebrating the history and future of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As the football team kicks off its 50th anniversary this season, we’ve profiled some fan favorite former players and their career highlights.
Tailgating has been a constant since the city was awarded the NFL franchise, but the food has evolved. In this issue, we share a recipe for some uniquely Tampa pregame fare.
We also found some of the newest tailgating gear seen outside Raymond James Stadium to help readers get ready for some football!
The Tampa Bay Times is also publishing “Fire the Cannons: 50 Years of Tampa Bay Buccaneers Football,” a commemorative book about the Buccaneers’ rich history. Copies of the book are available to order at bucs50. pictorialbook.com.
36 TAILGATING
THE BUCS ISSUE
Dedicated fans like Mark Urbanski have been tailgating at Bucs games for decades.
11 PROFILES
Five former Tampa Bay Buccaneers share their most memorable career moments.
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26 GIVING
The Glazer family counts their biggest wins as the ones scored for the community.
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40 FOOD
Tailgating treats, like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, have evolved over the past 50 years.
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32 FOUND IT
These standout products will turn your next tailgate into a true Tampa Bay experience.
44 ARTS SCENE
New Legacy Murals in Tampa and St. Petersburg celebrate 50 years of Buccaneers football.
SEPTEMBER 2025 A
EDITOR KATHY SAUNDERS | ksaunders@tampabay.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR NIKKI LIFE | nlife@tampabay.com
Photographer BRIAN JAMES | brian@brianjamesgallery.com
Copy Editor Erin Feitsma Imaging & Production Brian Baracani
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To view Bay magazine online, visit tampabay.com/bay. Bay is published monthly by Times Publishing Co. and delivered to Tampa Bay Times subscribers in select neighborhoods in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties. Copyright 2025. Vol. 18, No. 8
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PROFILES
BY KATHY SAUNDERS • PHOTOS BY BRIAN JAMES
As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers kick off their 50th season, Bay’s game plan this issue includes flagging players who have brought fans some of their best gridiron memories.
We asked five former Buccaneers — Rondé Barber, Jimmie Giles, Martín Gramática, Dexter Jackson and Dave Moore — about their most memorable career moments with the team and how their lives have played out since their professional football days.
These interviews have been edited for length and clarity.
What is your career highlight with the Buccaneers? I think a lot of people would expect me to say that 92-yard interception return in the NFC championship game in 2002, because it was one of the greatest plays in Bucs history. But I was fortunate to have had two separate games where I had three interceptions. Ironically, both were against the New Orleans Saints; one was when we played the Saints after Hurricane Katrina and had to play in Baton Rouge. So, we were on the campus of LSU, and I had two interceptions in this game. At the end, they were still driving to win. Aaron Brooks threw the ball across the middle; I was playing in the slot as I always did, and I intercepted it at the goal line with a minute or so left in the game. It was a tough interception, and it was one of those plays that I had to make at a crucial minute of the game. For me, it was one of the coolest ones I ever made.
Who is your role model? My biggest role model is the one person who I have spent almost all my life with,
Rondé Barber, 50, spent his entire 16-year career as a cornerback with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, retiring in 2012. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023 and currently works as a content creator for the team’s websites. He’s also general chairperson of Copperhead Charities, sponsor of the Valspar Championship PGA Tour tournament. He lives in Tampa with his wife, Claudia, and has two grown daughters, Yammile and Justyce.
and that’s my twin brother. Yes, we were competitive, but we also chased each other’s successes. For a lot of my life, he was the better of the two of us in terms of accomplishments, so I always had someone to look up to and a person to quietly chase. Even though I lived some of my sporting career in his shadows, it gave me a goal. I wanted to be as accomplished as he was. Ultimately, and you can even ask him, I ended up being a little bit more accomplished, but it’s a success story for both of us, and I love him for it. Always have, always will. (Barber’s twin brother, Tiki, is a former NFL All-Pro running back who played 10 seasons for the New York Giants. He is currently the co-host of pregame and postgame shows for Giants games.)
If you could make one rule change in the NFL, what would it be? I would get rid of pass interference. If I was commissioner for a day, I would permanently eliminate that. I really would like to see them change pass interference to a 15-yard penalty, just like it is in
college. It’s such a penal act. They take away all our advantages on the defense side of the ball, so I’d like a little concession if I could. (Currently, the penalty is to place the ball at the spot of the foul, wherever it took place.)
What is your hidden talent? I have a very good singing voice and a propensity for singing show tunes. I used to be able to sing all of “Hamilton” from start to finish. “The Greatest Showman,” “Jersey Boys” — I know all that stuff.
What is the best part of living in the Tampa Bay area? The people. I have had a lot of opportunities to interact with different people in town because of the various philanthropic things that I do. This is a community that loves its football players. It loves to embrace what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have brought here. Conversely, it’s an opportunity for me to give back to them because of that. There are a lot of places to live in this world. Tampa is a true, genuine place. I’ll never leave here.
Rondé Barber makes the interception against New Orleans Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 2005. Photo by Mark Saltz, Associated Press.
Rondé Barber in the lobby of One Buc Place in Tampa.
Jimmie Giles in his Tampa office.
In 1978, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded their first NFL draft pick to the Houston Oilers for Jimmie Giles, 70. He was playing football at Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi, when he was selected by the Oilers. Before that, he played a year of minor league baseball after being drafted as a third baseman by the Los Angeles Dodgers. During his Hall of Fame-worthy career, he played tight end for the Buccaneers from 1978 to 1986; then he played for the Detroit Lions and the Philadelphia Eagles before retiring to Tampa in 1989. He worked as an Allstate insurance agent until establishing Giles Insurance Adjusting in 2003 with his wife, Vivian, and their three children, Jimmie Jr., Johnathan and Candace.
What is your career highlight with the Buccaneers? That’s pretty easy for me; my career highlight is what I have always dreamed of: having a beautiful family, being able to support them and being successful at whatever I’m doing. Football doesn’t even compare.
Who is your role model? I’m from Greenville, Mississippi, and the man I think of from a sports perspective is George “Boomer” Scott, who played with the Boston Red Sox. He was the first real-life hero that I knew of when I was growing up. He was a model citizen; he was a role model for not only me but also a lot of the other young players in the
area. They were going to induct George Scott in the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and he stood up for me. He said, “The one guy you have got to get into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame is Jimmie Giles,” and I have always respected him for that. Unfortunately, he passed away before I got in, which was a few years later. But I did make it, and I made sure everybody knew that he was the man who was partly responsible for me getting in there.
If you could make one rule change in the NFL, what would it be? I think the current rule of not having enough contact in practices is one of the reasons
a lot of guys are getting hurt earlier in the year. I think they just need a few more contact practices to teach guys how to be able to take and deliver a hit. For me that would be the main thing: a few more practices where they can learn how to take contact and give contact.
What is your hidden talent? It’s kind of nerdy, but I was a really great Ping-Pong player growing up.
What is the best part of living in the Tampa Bay area? The weather and the people who are here. I can play golf with friends, and we can play pretty much throughout the year.
Vivian and Jimmie Giles are celebrating their 50th year of marriage this year.
Martín Gramática, 49, was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1999 when he graduated from Kansas State University. The Argentinian American played six seasons as the Bucs’ placekicker, earning the nickname “Automatica” for his reliability. Since retiring in 2008, Gramática has founded a construction company with his brothers, Bill and Santiago, both former placekickers as well; coached for the National Indoor Soccer League; and launched the Gramática Family Foundation, which supports veterans. He also recently published his memoir, “Beyond the Uprights: The Intimate Memoir of Martín Gramática.” Gramática lives in Tampa with his wife, Ashlee, a former University of South Florida tennis player, and has spent years coaching his two sons, Nico and Gaston, and daughter, Emme, in youth soccer, flag football and baseball. Nico, his oldest son, is a placekicker for the USF football team, and his younger son, Gaston, also a placekicker, has committed to USF for 2026.
What is your career highlight with the Buccaneers? Winning the Super Bowl in 2003. Anytime you play a professional sport, the goal is to win the championship, so that year was special. Bringing the first Super Bowl trophy home to Tampa with the fans as excited as they were and coming back to a packed stadium to greet us after that is a memory I will never forget.
Who is your role model? Diego Maradona. Off the field he had a lot of issues, but on the soccer field, he was the best. Every Argentine kid wanted to be like Maradona at my age, as good as he was.
If you could make one rule change in the NFL, what would it be?
I want the kickoff to go back to how it used to be, not this Mickey-Mouse-thatlooks-like-a-video-game-type kickoff. I’d like it to go back to the way it used to be; that way we can have on-site kicks again. And I want to go back to the short extra point so it’s almost automatic. Now that I have two kids who are kicking, if they make it that far, I don’t want them to stress after every extra point. (In 2024, the NFL overhauled the kickoff structure aimed at boosting returns and reducing high-speed collisions.)
What is your hidden talent? I love to coach youth soccer. Also, I grew up on a farm, so I can do a lot of the housework, but I don’t enjoy it. I mess it up on purpose.
What is the best part of living in the Tampa Bay area? Tampa is my home. I am originally from Argentina, but I grew up two hours south of Tampa near Fort Myers. Where we live now is the first house we bought when we came to Tampa. I love the community; I have gotten to know a lot of people, and my kids are going to USF. This is our home, and we don’t plan on ever moving.
Martín Gramática celebrates after kicking a field goal during the 2003 Super Bowl in San Diego. Photo by Dave Martin, Associated Press.
Martín Gramática in the den of his Carrollwood home.
Dexter Jackson, 48, was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1999 after playing college football at Florida State University. He was a safety for the Bucs for six seasons and was named the MVP of the 2003 Super Bowl in San Diego, California, after two interceptions that led the Bucs to a 48-21 win against the Oakland Raiders. Currently, Jackson serves as the safeties coach for the Tennessee State University football team. He lives in Tampa with his wife, Tina, and their four daughters — Jazmine, Daisia, Meah and Taylor.
What is your career highlight with the Buccaneers? Being Super Bowl MVP was the biggest and most important thing in my career. Just to be selected as MVP — all of that honor just flashes before me.
Who is your role model? My mom, because she fought through so much for a kidney transplant. My father passed when I was young. Overall, my biggest role model was my community. So many people took part and helped shape and mold me to become the man that I am now.
If you could make one rule change in the NFL, what would it be? Allow defensive players to be aggressive again. That was part of the defense — forcing your will on an opponent and making them quit. Now you can’t really hit them as hard, so you have so many guys who would not be stars when we played because they are afraid to get hit. (The NFL has put many restrictions on hitting in recent years to protect players from injuries.)
What is your hidden talent? I’m a great fisherman. I used to joke with a lot of people that I am going to be in the
Bassmasters one day. I love fishing. I take my daughters fishing with me. I did it with my grandparents and I did it with my mom and dad, so that is something I share with my kids as well. It brings so much peace and tranquility away from electronics, and we can really talk. They can’t run from me on the fishing lake, so I love fishing.
What is the best part of living in the Tampa Bay area? The community, the family. Just the relationships that I have built in Tampa. Different religions, different races, just being able to look at each other as human beings.
Dexter Jackson celebrates after being named MVP when the Buccaneers won the Super Bowl in 2003. Times (2003).
Dexter Jackson in the family recreation room of his Tampa home.
Dave Moore with his dog, Hank, in his Treasure Island home.
Dave Moore, 55, joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1992 as a fullback and tight end for 13 seasons. He grew up in New Jersey and played college football at the University of Pittsburgh. Moore retired in 2006 and joined the Buccaneers Radio Network as a color commentator, a job he continues today. He also coached high school football in St. Petersburg and Tampa and founded Moore Resources Insurance, which provides commercial and personal insurance policies. Moore, an avid fisherman, lives on Treasure Island with his wife, Ann Marie. They have a daughter, Halee, and a son, Jake, who works with his father at the insurance agency.
What is your career highlight with the Buccaneers? Catching the first touchdown in Raymond James Stadium in 1998. It was a one-handed catch, and it was 44 yards. We were losing, and we came back and won the game. (The Bucs won that inaugural game at Raymond James Stadium, 27-15, against the Chicago Bears.)
Who is your role model? My late father, Peter Moore. He was the voice of reason. He was the guy who I went to everything with. He wouldn’t give me an answer; he was very quiet. He’d go
away and think about it and come back and give me a very logical, pointed answer. He was the guy that I try to be like today.
If you could make one rule change in the NFL, what would it be?
I think they need to go back to the kickoffs the way they were. This new dynamic kickoff takes away from the game some. (The NFL implemented the dynamic kickoff in 2024, changing the structure of the kickoff with the goal of boosting returns and reducing high-speed collisions.)
What is your hidden talent? I can talk like Donald Duck.
What is the best part of living in the Tampa Bay area? The water. I made it to Tampa Bay in 1992, and in 1995, I bought a home in Madeira Beach. In 2000, I moved to the mainland, and now I live on Treasure Island. But I spend my time on the water. I like the beach; I like to fish. There’s always a breeze in the afternoon with the sea breeze. It might not be cool, but it’s air movement. I wouldn’t leave. It’s been a great place for me and my family.
Dave Moore dives for a third-quarter touchdown, helping secure a win for the Buccaneers in their first home game in Raymond James Stadium. Times (1998).
Building a legacy
The Glazer family counts their biggest wins as the ones scored for the community.
Darcie Glazer Kassewitz and Bryan Glazer in the owner’s box at Raymond James Stadium. Photo by Brian James.
BY RICK STROUD
igh above the emerald turf of Raymond James Stadium, Bryan Glazer and his sister, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, settle into leather chairs in the family’s owner’s box. It’s a vantage point that offers both luxury and legacy, and where — along with their four brothers — they gather in the fall to watch the Tampa Bay Buccaneers team entrusted to them by their late father.
But the Glazer family has never been content to just enjoy the suite life.
While the two-time Super Bowl champions are preparing for the franchise’s 50th anniversary season, the Glazer family continues to try and level the playing field for their community.
The organization that took over the Bucs in 1995, a one-story cinder block building
just a Hail Mary from Tampa International Airport, has been transformed by new headquarters, a sprawling 145,000-square-foot facility with an indoor practice field in the shadow of RJS.
Likewise, the family has changed the landscape of the Tampa Bay region they call home, both physically and financially.
Whether it’s the iconic Glazer Children’s Museum that helped transform the Tampa Riverwalk next to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park or the Shanna and Bryan Glazer Jewish Community Center that helped revitalize West Tampa by remodeling the Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory (which once hosted Elvis Presley), their contributions are not just made of concrete.
“Owning the Bucs for 31 years gave us an opportunity to know this community,” Darcie Glazer Kassewitz said. “We’re part of this community, so over time, you learn more and more. You get deeper and
deeper, and that goes to the players as well. When they’re coming back, we’re here. We’re just as much a part of the community as everybody else. It’s very important to my family.”
Providing resources for families
The Glazer Children’s Museum is probably the best-known and most iconic building that bears the family’s name.
“At the time, (organizers) were trying to raise money to build the new children’s museum,” Bryan Glazer said. “And the Curtis Hixon Park was a dream, and all these things were talked about. They had just built the park, and with the art
Clockwise from left: A child receives a pair of free prescription glasses at the Glazer Vision Foundation Mobile Vision Clinic.
Darcie Glazer Kassewitz shakes the hand of a small business owner who received financial assistance through the Glazer Family Small Business Fund.
Girls enjoy a game of flag football. Games like these are held frequently throughout the Tampa Bay area.
Photos courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
museum, together it was an anchor for the growth of the downtown area. When we were approached to (help), I think it was one of the quickest discussions we’ve had.”
Just to spread the joy across Tampa Bay, the Glazers also invested their resources into the construction of the Glazer Family Playground near the pier in St. Petersburg.
Children and families have always been at the heart of every endeavor for the offspring of Malcolm Glazer, who purchased the Buccaneers from the charitable trust of Hugh Culverhouse in 1995.
A native of Rochester, New York, Malcolm Glazer built his fortune through real estate, banking and health care investments, purchasing the Buccaneers for $192 million. The team is now worth more than $5.4 billion, and the family sports portfolio also includes ownership of the iconic Manchester United Football Club.
Lessons from the Glazers’ father
Malcolm Glazer lost his father at age 15, so he began preparing his children for life
without him at a very early age.
“My father felt he had to teach us everything he knew as soon as he could because he never knew how long he would live. He’d say, ‘Death is right behind that door,’” Bryan Glazer said. “He would say it all the time, and as a kid, it was unnerving. He kept saying, ‘Death is behind that door.’ But he experienced it.
“The education about life was constant, about what you should do and how you should act or how hard you should work or how you should treat people and how everybody was important. When we were little, the things he would tell us — I think we talk to our kids that way now because they can understand these things.”
Championing inclusivity in the NFL
The Glazer family has also become known for being trailblazers in the NFL for inclusiveness.
Four of the seven Bucs head coaches the Glazers have hired are Black: Tony Dungy, Raheem Morris, Lovie Smith and Todd Bowles. When the Bucs won the 2021 Super Bowl, they were the first team to do so with three Black coordinators.
When Bruce Arians arrived in 2019, he hired the first full-time female assistant coaches with Lori Locust as assistant defensive line coach and Maral Javadifar as assistant strength and conditioning coach.
Supporting women in sports
The team also launched the Bucs National Coaching Academy, which opens new pathways for coaches aiming to break into the NFL with a weeklong clinic.
Darcie Glazer Kassewitz has also been a champion for women in sports. Whether it’s offering scholarships for women who were involved in high school football and planning to attend a four-year college; hosting 115 girls teams in the flag football preseason tournament, as well as state championship games; or leading She is Football, a summit dedicated to empowering women through sports, which had more than 800 participants last year, she is determined to place 50,000 women into the business of sports.
“I think 95% of women who are executives played sports when they were
Joel, Kevin, Edward and Avram Glazer, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz and Bryan Glazer. Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
younger,” Darcie Glazer Kassewitz said. “So, there’s a real tie to playing sports and being successful in life. That is something that drives part of our thinking in wanting girls to be included in everything we’re doing in sports and trying to help them and mentor them and create leaders. The goal is to create 50,000 leaders every year.”
Uplifting the community
On the field, the Bucs have won four straight NFC South titles and are the only NFC team to have reached the playoffs five years in a row. Off the field, their players have started foundations supported by the Glazer family, like Warrick Dunn’s Home for the Holidays, which helps single-parent families become homeowners and fully equips their new houses with furnishings, food and down payment assistance.
“This was a 21-year-old kid saying, ‘I want to do something,” Darcie Glazer Kassewitz recalled. “And every year seeing him give away a house, that’s something we can feel very proud of because we nurtured it out.”
Whether it’s providing meals during the COVID-19 pandemic or donating millions to hurricane relief efforts in Tampa Bay and southwest Florida, the Glazers have responded as family.
But it’s not just the players, coaches and front office members they took care of during hurricane relocation efforts. The Glazer family chartered two planes transporting 350 people, including players, coaches, staff and their families, to New Orleans. The team also secured 200 additional hotel rooms in Orlando and Gainesville for extended staff, family and others seeking shelter. This included
pets: 50 dogs and 14 cats.
“It’s about family,” Darcie Glazer Kassewitz said. “These are not only people we employ, but it’s also about them and their (families). We all know living here the stress that comes from these storms and having to deal with logistics and having to do the things you need to do (not only) for yourself but (also) to take care of the people around you, and we try to ease that burden for our employees. ... I mean, we don’t know what’s going to happen from the storm, but for themselves, their families and safety, we said, ‘Don’t worry about that.’”
While the Glazers are proud to have hoisted two Lombardi trophies on the field in Tampa Bay, they count their biggest wins as the ones scored for the community.
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FOUND IT
GAME DAY GAME PLAN
Tailgating in Tampa Bay isn’t just a tradition. It’s an art form. From sunrise brunches to sunset kickoff feasts, today’s fans aren’t simply grilling burgers; they’re creating curated outdoor experiences that blend style, flavor and team spirit. Whether you’re setting up outside Raymond James Stadium or hosting a backyard watch party, the right gear makes all the difference. We’ve gathered some of the best products available. From a smart meat thermometer to a durable camp chair, each item offers a unique way to enhance your setup. These standout picks combine innovation, convenience and a touch of indulgence to help you turn your next tailgate into a true Tampa Bay experience.
— Bill O’Brien
NOMAD GRILL & SMOKER
The Nomad grill and smoker is a suitcase-style portable charcoal grill that weighs just 28 pounds. Crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum, it folds compactly yet offers space to sear up to 30 burgers or smoke two racks of ribs. $695. nomadgrills.com.
E-Z UP ENDEAVOR CANOPY
Built for serious outdoor use, the E-Z UP Endeavor frame is constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum and a professional-grade fabric top. The 10 x 10 feet shelter offers 200 square feet of UV- and fire-resistant coverage — making it ideal for hot Florida game days or unpredictable weather. Setup takes just minutes, and the adjustable legs allow for multiple height options. $874.50. ezup.com.
JACKERY EXPLORER 1000 V2 PORTABLE POWER STATION
The Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is a silent, gas-free power station capable of running TVs, blenders, LED lights and charging devices. Weighing just 24.2 pounds, it’s portable yet powerful, and can be recharged via wall outlet, car adapter or optional Jackery solar panels. From $449. jackery.com.
YETI TRAILHEAD CAMP CHAIR
The YETI Trailhead camp chair blends rugged construction with comfort. Built with durable, UV-resistant FlexGrid fabric, the seat conforms to your body and resists sagging with a frame that supports up to 500 pounds. It folds into a compact backpack-style carry bag for easy transport. A drink holder, nonslip feet and broad armrests make it perfect for long pregame hangouts. $300. yeti.com.
MEATER BLOCK SMART MEAT THERMOMETER
For precision tailgate cooking, the Meater block is a smart meat thermometer system that wirelessly monitors your proteins while you entertain. Each stainless steel probe measures both internal and ambient temperatures and sends data to your phone or tablet via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The sleek wooden charging dock includes a built-in OLED display for stand-alone use, so you don’t even need your phone nearby. $239.95. store-us.meater.com.
BRÜTANK COOLER
The BrüTank is a highperformance, 55-quart rotomolded cooler built with puncture-resistant all-terrain wheels. It moves effortlessly from the car to the party and doubles as extra seating. But what truly sets it apart is the removable 2.8-gallon drink tank with a built-in tap, up to seven days of ice retention, a built-in bottle opener and a locking lid. $399.99. brumate.com.
TAILGATER TIRE TABLE
The tailgater tire table is a game-changing accessory that hooks simply onto your vehicle’s tire, creating an instant, stable workspace — no bulky tables or tools needed. Made from lightweight aluminum, it weighs under 6 pounds yet supports up to 50 pounds. No assembly required. $199.95. trail-industries.com.
TAILGATING
partypeople
BY KATHY SAUNDERS
mark Urbanski has been tailgating at Tampa Bay Buccaneers games since the team’s inaugural game in 1976. His late father, Jim Urbanski, the retired president and general manager of The Tampa Tribune, was among a small group of local businessmen who began seeking an NFL franchise for Tampa in the 1960s.
“I throw a very large tailgate party for every home game. We’ve been doing it for decades,” Urbanski said. “What makes us different is we never charge anything. Everyone just helps out and contributes. It’s amazing. We are true, longtime, hardcore fans with a passion for football and the Buccaneers.”
Many retired Buccaneers and other NFL alumni attend the tailgates, in addition to the team’s fans. One longtime attendee, a chef, once brought suitcases full of tuna that he had caught off the coast of California to cook on his grill before a game.
“We have our resident DJ, Greg Berrios, at all of the tailgates playing energetic music from our PA system with many (people) dancing under one of the tents,” said Urbanski, who added that Brian Ford, the Bucs’ chief operating officer, has attended the tailgate parties in recent years. ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” has even featured the tailgate on their broadcast.
Some of the tailgate parties are joint ventures with the NFL Alumni Association Tampa Bay chapter, of which Urbanski is a board member. This nonprofit organization is comprised mostly of former NFL players and associates and helps members and their families in their post-professional years, as well as the community.
Urbanski’s tailgate group is collaborating with the local chapter of the alumni organization to hold a blowout tailgate party on Sept. 21, the date of the Buccaneers’ home opener against the New York Jets. The party will start at 9:30 a.m. at the group’s regular meeting spot: Lot Six at Raymond James Stadium, south of Tampa Bay Boulevard, directly across North Himes Avenue from the Morgan & Morgan law firm.
Mark Urbanski, whose late father, Jim Urbanski, helped Tampa get its NFL franchise, has been tailgating from the back of his truck like this since the Bucs’ first home game. Photos courtesy of Mark Urbanski.
“We are true, longtime, hardcore fans with a passion for football and the Buccaneers.” — MARK URBANSKI
Mark Urbanski, D.C. Goutoufas and DJ Greg Berrios at a tailgating party with the NFL Alumni Association.
Chef Jim Keller, seen in the blue shirt, prepares meals for tailgaters before a game.
Swashbuckler cheerleader alumni from the ’70s and ’80s join a tailgating party at the stadium.
DJ Greg Berrios, D.C. Goutoufas, Brian Ford and Mark Urbanski at a joint tailgate party with Urbanski’s friends and the NFL Alumni Association Tampa Bay chapter.
Janie Palmeri, Cindy Larsen and Michelle and Mark Urbanski enjoy game day outside the stadium.
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FOOTBALL FARE
BY BILL O’BRIEN
Tailgating is a football tradition as beloved as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the foods, like the team, have continued to evolve over the past five decades.
In the fall of 1976, pregame tailgating involved driving up to Tampa Stadium, known as The Big Sombrero, and unloading the folding chairs, hibachis and coolers for grilling burgers and sipping cold beers.
Today, those same lots host tented lounges and decked-out recreational vehicles. Shrimp shooters and Cuban sliders are plated on palm leaf serveware. Champagne chills in coolers beside blood orange spritzers.
By the time the new Raymond James Stadium opened in 1998, tailgating gear had become sleeker and the menus even more elevated. Today’s tailgates feature handcrafted menus full of local flavor, like Cuban sandwiches and pulled pork.
The 50th season of Tampa tailgating calls for an anniversaryworthy meal, like this recipe from chef Lisa Prather, owner of A Fresh Connection Catering in St. Petersburg.
Shutterstock photos.
MOJO PORK SLIDERS WITH PICKLED RED ONIONS
For the mojo pork:
2 pounds pork shoulder (cut into large chunks)
1 cup sour orange juice*
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon fresh oregano (or 1 teaspoon dried)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon black pepper
1½ teaspoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
*If sour orange juice is unavailable, substitute with ¾ cup orange juice plus ¼ cup lime juice.
For the pickled red onions:
½ cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 red onion, thinly sliced
To serve:
12 slider rolls (Hawaiian, brioche or Cuban rolls work well)
• In a large bowl or resealable bag, combine pork chunks with orange juice, garlic, oregano, cumin, pepper, salt and olive oil. Marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best flavor.
• Using a slow cooker: Place pork and marinade in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4–5 hours until the meat is fork-tender.
• Using an oven: Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Transfer pork and marinade to a baking dish, cover with foil and roast for 1.5 to 2 hours until tender.
• Shred the pork using two forks and mix it back into the juices to keep it moist.
• Make the pickled onions: In a small
saucepan, combine the apple cider vinegar, sugar and salt. Heat until the sugar dissolves, then pour over the sliced onions in a jar or bowl. Let sit for at least 30 minutes or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
• Split the rolls, layer each with a generous scoop of shredded pork and top with pickled onions. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Tailgate tip: Keep the pork warm in a slow cooker or insulated food carrier at your tailgate. Let guests build their own sliders — no utensils required.
SCORE WITH THIS SWEET TREAT
If you want a special game day dessert, you can do what we did and attend one of the new cake decorating classes being offered on Saturday afternoons by Cakes by Carolynn in St. Petersburg. For more information, call the shop at 727-327-5725.
Photo by Téa Bremner.
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ARTS SCENE by Maggie Duffy
OFF THE WALL
If sports and art seem an unlikely pairing, think again. There are many instances when professional sports teams look to artists to spread their fandom and up their cool factor. So, it’s not surprising that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 50th season celebration would include art in the form of murals in Tampa and St. Petersburg. Presented by Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, the team commissioned local artists Tracey “Artist” Jones, Anthony Freese and the artist collective at Greater Public Studio to create Legacy Murals. These artworks celebrate the team’s history, focusing on the fans, moments and celebrations that have shaped five decades of Buccaneers football. The murals are expected to be unveiled this week.
Find more Bucs art experiences in Tampa
The Tampa Museum of Art is hosting “50 Seasons of Buccaneers Football,” sharing the team’s legacy through a curated photo exhibit and storytelling from the team’s inaugural season in 1976 to the present. The exhibit runs from Sept. 20 through Oct. 19. 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa. 813-274-8130. tampamuseum.org.
A documentary of the Buccaneers’ last 50 years, featuring players, reporters and fans, is also in the works, with short segments to be released at the Tampa Theatre throughout the season, followed by panel discussions with team legends. 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa. 813-274-8981. tampatheatre.org.
Special performances at The Florida Orchestra
The Florida Orchestra’s September schedule is action-packed. An unprecedented event is scheduled on Sept. 20 with “The Good Peaches.” This collaboration with St. Petersburg theatre company American Stage and local dance company projectALCHEMY presents the story of a girl who wished for upheaval and the wish’s aftermath, set against the roaring waves of a storm.
The month closes with a bluesy bang on Sept. 25, when actor and icon Morgan Freeman joins the orchestra for the “Symphonic Blues Experience.” The concert will include performances from the Ground Zero Blues Club, visuals of the Mississippi Delta and storytelling by Freeman.
All performances will be held at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg. floridaorchestra.org.
On display at the Morean Center for Clay
Art can do so much more than sit and look pretty. At the Morean Center for Clay in St. Petersburg, “Earth and Ocean” brings ceramics together with marine restoration work.
Artists Nina Samuels and Charles Morrison have created sculptures that double as underwater habitats for marine life. Samuels makes a practice of submerging her ceramic depictions of man-made objects to explore the connection between industrial items and marine growth. The pieces are covered in marine life, both living and sculpted by Samuels.
Morrison grew up by the ocean, which inspired him to create anatomically correct and abstract sea creatures using wild clay and other materials. He also submerges them so that they may become artificial reefs for sea life.
The exhibit is on view through Oct. 4. Viewing hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. 420 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg. 727-821-7162. moreanartscenter.org.
Nina Samuels’ ceramic pieces are on display in “Earth and Ocean” at the Morean Center for Clay through Oct. 4. Photo courtesy of Nina Samuels.
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AFTER HOURS (21+)
NINA YANKOWITZ | IN THE OUT/OUT THE IN SEPTEMBER 19 @ 7:00–10:00 PM
Step into a fully ac tivated MFA for a night where ar t meet s sound in unex pected ways At this 21+ communi ty celebration, we’re blending live elec tronic music, contemporary ar t, and hands- on ex perience s into one immersive evening. Ex plore the museum like never be fore —with live elec troacous tic performances by local synth ar tist s in each galler y, transforming our permanent collec tion into a sonic playground. In the conser vatory dance to DJ-curated beat s, grab a signature drink, and dive into vibrant conver sations. Discover and shop local zine s and merch, create your own ar t at live -mak ing stations , and walk away wi th a commemorative poster to mark the night. Ex pect unex pected soundscape s, creative surprise s, and a communi ty of ar tist s, makers and music lovers
Preorder online and save 25% at Bucs50.PictorialBook.com or scan the QR code
Nina Yankowitz, Draped Impotent Squares, c. 1969, Acrylic spray on canvas Courtesy of the Artist and Eric Firestone Gallery © 2025 Nina Yankowitz / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY
How AI Can Strengthen Our Communities
AI is here to stay and its influence will only grow What does this actually mean for our community? Join Spotlight Tampa Bay to explore how AI can improve access to jobs, transpor tation, education and health care while strengthening our neighborhoods. We’ll look at how local businesses and governments can use AI to enhance services, tackle challenges like inequality and isolation and involve residents in shaping the future Ignoring AI may be the biggest risk of all.
SOCIAL SCENE CALENDAR
by Amy Scherzer
Sept. 20: 59th annual Ybor City Chamber of Commerce Gala. From $120. 6-9 p.m. Columbia Restaurant, Ybor City. 813-2483712. members.ybor.org.
Sept. 27: FARA Energy Ball, which benefits the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance. $750. 6 p.m. Tampa Marriott Water Street. curefa.org.
Sept. 27: Big Gala, which benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. Features Ken Block and Drew Copeland of Sister Hazel. $300. 6-10 p.m. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa. 813-769-3636. bbbstampabay.org.
Sept. 27: The 1905 Ball, which benefits the Sacred Heart Catholic Church as it celebrates its 120th anniversary. Black-tie attire is optional. $120. 7 p.m. Centro Asturiano de Tampa. sacredheartfla.org/ giving/sacred-heart-gala.
Sept. 27: Krewe of Sant’ Yago Education Foundation 22nd annual Gala Fundraising Dinner. $150. 6-11 p.m. TPepin’s Hospitality Centre. ksyeducationfoundation.com/ events/ksyef-22nd-annual-gala-fundraiser-dinner.
Sept. 27: Freedom Fund Dinner, which benefits NAACP Hillsborough. $125. 6 p.m. Tampa Convention Center. 813-234-8683. naacphillsborough.org.
Oct. 3: Dishes & Wishes, which benefits Make-A-Wish Southern Florida. $150. 7 p.m. Armature Works. 813-296-8128. dishesandwishestampa.com.
Oct. 3: Tropical Nights, which benefits Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful. $150 for one ticket or $250 per couple. 7 p.m. Tampa Yacht & Country Club. keeptampabaybeautiful.org/tropicalnights.
Oct. 4: Friends of Joshua House Foundation Gala. $225. 6:30 p.m. The Motor Enclave. friendsofjoshuahouse.org/event/ save-the-date-joshua-house-gala.
Oct. 4: The Lotus Gala, which benefits the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation. $275. 6 p.m. Armature Works. fcsf.org/ fcsf-events/the-lotus-gala.
Oct. 8: USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy Symposium. Guest speaker is Geena Davis. 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tampa Marriott Water Street. 813-396-9361 or wlp@usf.edu.
Oct. 11: Rock the Dock: “Big Kahuna Luau,” which benefits the Chapters Health System. $200. 6-10 p.m. Bob Buckhorn River Center. chaptershealth.org.
Oct. 18: Tuxes & Tails: “Bollywood,” which benefits the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. $395. 5:30 p.m. Tampa Convention Center. humanesocietytampa.org.
Oct. 18: Diamonds in the Rough Gala, which benefits Brain Expansions Scholastic Training (B.E.S.T.). $250. 6:30 p.m. TPepin’s Hospitality Centre. bestmedicalacademy.org/gala.
Oct. 22: LAMPLighters Fall into Fashion luncheon, which benefits Metropolitan Ministries and Joshua House. $150. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Shanna and Bryan Glazer JCC. lamplighterstampa.org.
Oct. 25: Be the Voice Gala, which benefits the Suncoast Voices for Children Foundation. $150. 6 p.m. Power Design. secure. qgiv.com/for/bethevoicegala2025/event/ bethevoicegala2025.
Oct. 25: Tampa General Hospital Gala: “Elevating Excellence.” Black-tie attire. $1,000 and up. 6-11 p.m. JW Marriott
Tampa Water Street. tgh.org/foundation/ get-involved/gala.
Oct. 25: Sueños de Dalí, which benefits The Dalí Museum. $140 and up. 7:30 p.m. The Dalí Museum. thedali.org/event/ suenos-de-dali.
Oct. 25: Gala for Straz Center, which benefits the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. Black-tie attire is optional. $800 and up. 6 p.m. Morsani Hall at the Straz. strazcenter.org.
Oct. 29: Red Cross Angels Silver Coffee. Invitation only. Minimum donation: $50. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Private Davis Islands home. redcrossangelssilvercoffee@gmail. com.
Oct. 30: A Toast for a Cure Gala, which benfeits the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Honors Casey Phillips and the Hinman family. $250. 6 p.m. Armature Works. 917-828-4988. crohnscolitisfoundation.org.
Nov. 1: Pavilion XXXIX, which benefits the Tampa Museum of Art. $850 and up. 7 p.m. Tampa Museum of Art. 813-4218375.
Nov. 2: Blazing Trails of Support and Hope for ALS, which benefits Hark-ALS. Includes appetizers and entertainment. $100. 2-5 p.m. The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art. hark-als.org/events.
Nov. 6: Smartly Dressed: “Welcome to New York” luncheon and fashion show, which benefits the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg. $175 and up. Noon. The Coliseum. stuartsociety.org.
Contact Amy Scherzer at amyscherzers diary@gmail.com to have your event listed.
