The Buccaneers fled Florida days earlier than Hurricane Milton hit the devastated the Tampa Bay space, and as they flip their consideration to the New Orleans Saints this weekend, there’s undoubtedly extra on their minds than only a soccer sport.
Tampa Bay has tried to refocus on their Week 6 matchup towards the Saints whereas in New Orleans, coming off a troublesome additional time loss towards the Atlanta Falcons.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive sort out Tristan Wirfs, #78, congratulates quarterback Baker Mayfield, #6, after a landing towards the Philadelphia Eagles within the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Sept. 29, 2024. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Photographs)
“We’re not even simply taking part in for simply soccer now. We’re attempting to play for one thing slightly bit larger,” Bucs vast receiver Mike Evans informed reporters on Wednesday, by way of ESPN.
Evans is used to the chaos {that a} hurricane forecast brings. He grew up in Galveston, Texas, which isn’t any stranger to the influence an enormous storm can deliver.
“I simply need all people to be protected on the finish of the day,” he stated.
“We clearly have a job to do, so we’re going to do this. The video games are nonetheless going to be performed. The toughest factor is simply ensuring all people is sweet, then simply praying and hoping for the very best.”
The Buccaneers moved their operations to the New Orleans space, training at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium. After observe, crew members and personnel have been bussed again to their lodge rooms which might be being shared with members of the family and pets.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers vast receiver Mike Evans, #13, runs with the ball towards the Philadelphia Eagles through the first half at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Sept. 29, 2024. (Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Photographs)
“Household is an important factor proper now. … If you will get your loved ones out and maintain them protected, the whole lot else could be changed,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles stated.
“We perceive the issues we do in soccer are a small (half) within the sport of life and the way a hurricane goes to have an effect on folks,” he stated. “Everyone is right here, and their households are right here. That makes it so much simpler.”
The Glazer household, which owns the Buccaneers, chartered two planes for a touring occasion of round 350 folks and 31 pets.
Bowles stated having the households and pets on the lodge introduced its personal set of challenges whereas attempting to keep up some type of normalcy with its observe routine.
“Studying from that, we’re slightly extra organized so far as after we meet, when the households eat, how they eat,” Bowles stated. “So it’s slightly, I don’t wish to say simpler, however slightly extra structured this time round.”
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles previous to the sport towards the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Sept. 29, 2024. (Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Photographs)
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As Milton made landfall on Wednesday night time, the Buccaneers had the whole state of Florida of their ideas and prayers.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
