Tampa Bay Buccaneers Announce 2023 Game Themes
Many teams across the league hold special honorary themes for several of their games through the NFL preseason and regular season, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers just announced their 2023 themes along with the dates/games that will accompany them.
As with every season, there are a slew of themes that are ever-present throughout the season including the likes of salute to service, inspire change, play football, a crucial catch. However, this season will be a special one in Tampa Bay and Raymond James Stadium as their themes will be highlighted by the return of the heralded creamsicle jerseys and the celebration of the induction of former star defensive back Rondé Barber into the National Football League Hall of Fame.
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In week six of the regular season against the visiting Detroit Lions, the Buccaneers will unleash their "new" creamsicle jerseys paying homage to the white and "Florida Orange" jerseys the team wore from its inaugural season in 1976 to 1996. The team then made a change in 1997 to go with a different look to feature pewter and red.
The Buccaneers have made an effort over the years to bring back the creamsicle jerseys, as they are a fan favorite, but the last time the Buccaneers brought back the style was 11 years ago during the 2012 season. Speculation on how they may be different than the classic Bucco Bruce creamsicle jerseys continues to swirl amongst the fanbase.
Former stud Buccaneers' defensive back, Rondé Barber, will officially be a member of the NFL's Hall of Fame. This was Barber's sixth year of eligibility for the honor and his third as a finalist. Barber was a staple on the Bucs' defense for many years anchoring and pretty much setting the standard for slot-nickel defensive back play.
He enjoyed a 16-year pro career - all with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - setting multiple team records as well as many memorable moments for Buccaneers fans. Barber is the franchise's all-time leader in both games played (241) and games started (232), and his 92-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Eagles in the 2002 NFC Championship became one of the most memorable plays in the history of the franchise on the team's way to their first-ever Super Bowl victory. The celebration will take place in week three against the Philadelphia Eagles - how fitting.
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Kim Klement, USA Today
The full schedule of themed events at Raymond James Stadium in 2023 is below:
- Preseason Week 1 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Play Football – Youth Football
- Preseason Week 3 vs. Baltimore Ravens: Play Football – Jr. Cheer
- Week 2 vs. Chicago Bears: Back to Football
- Week 3 vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Rondé Barber HOF Game
- Week 6 vs. Detroit Lions: Creamsicle
- Week 7 vs. Atlanta Falcons: Crucial Catch – Breast Cancer Awareness
- Week 10 vs. Tennessee Titans: Salute to Service
- Week 13 vs. Carolina Panthers: My Cause My Cleats
- Week 16 - Christmas Eve vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Inspire Change – Holiday
- Week 17 - New Year's Eve vs. New Orleans Saints: Thank You Fans
Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the season.
