Some months back, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers star cornerback Ronde Barber heard from an acquaintance who had just moved near him, to Tampa, Florida, and wanted to get together. They played a round at the exclusive Pelican Golf Club, where Barber raved about the climate, the culture and the city, mentioning how even with more than 3 million people the region still feels small, chill, manageable.
It’s why, Barber said, he has never felt overwhelmed by his fame there. Recent Florida transplant Tom Brady, the most recognizable football player in the world, nodded along.
“You know,” Barber said he told him, “this town’s ready to love you, man.