TAMPA — The Bucs might mean more to Tampa Bay than they normally do this season, helping to get a region potentially knocked down by Hurricane Irma back on its feet.
As Irma forced evacuations throughout the area on Saturday, the Glazer family, which owns the Bucs, scrambled to secure five small planes to fly 130 players, football and business staff members, and their immediate families to Charlotte, N.C.
The Bucs are monitoring the effects of the historic storm, and like everyone, hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. Their preparations included identifying undisclosed locations in two other states (one would think North Carolina) where they could resume practice and football operations in preparation for next Sunday's scheduled game — their new season opener — against the Bears at Raymond James Stadium.