Kelly Hayes
Florida politicians are buzzing now that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are headed to the Super Bowl — hosted for the first time in National Football League history in a team’s hometown.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis tweeted Sunday night, right after the Bucs’ victory against the Green Bay Packers, congratulating Bucs’ quarterback Tom Brady.
“In politics if you want a friend, get a dog. In football if you want to go to the Super Bowl, get a GOAT. Congratulations to Tom Brady and the Buccaneers on the NFC Championship win. See you in Tampa for the Super Bowl,” DeSantis wrote.
In politics if you want a friend, get a dog. In football if you want to go to the Super Bowl, get a GOAT. Congratulations to @TomBrady & the @Buccaneers on the NFC Championship win. See you in Tampa for the Super Bowl.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) January 24, 2021
The Bucs pulled off a nail-biter win against the Green Bay Packers Sunday evening, clinching the NFC title 31-26. They’ll now face the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 7 on the Bucs’ home turf at Raymond James Stadium before a pared down crowd of 22,000 fans including 7,500 vaccinated health care workers.
Sen. Rick Scott also congratulated the team while sharing news from the NFL about inviting vaccinated health care workers to attend the Super Bowl.
“Congratulations to the #NFCChampions Buccaneers! Florida is excited to host the first home-team Super Bowl and recognize thousands of incredible health care workers who work every day to keep our families healthy and safe. #SBLV #GoBucs,” Scott wrote.
Congratulations to the #NFCChampions @buccaneers! Florida is excited to host the first home-team Super Bowl and recognize thousands of incredible health care workers who work every day to keep our families healthy and safe. #SBLV #GoBucs https://t.co/tOahmN3GuM
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) January 25, 2021
Tampa Bay Congress members Kathy Castor and Charlie Crist also tweeted out sentiments for the Bucs. Castor referenced Tampa’s annual Gasparilla celebration, which was postponed to April.
“So I guess #Tampa is having a pirate party after all,” Castor wrote after a string of celebratory tweets.
🏴☠️ So I guess #Tampa is having a pirate party after all https://t.co/Z3zkBPdp2g
— US Rep Kathy Castor (@USRepKCastor) January 24, 2021
Florida House Speaker Chris Sprowls, who represents north Pinellas County, posted “Congratulations Buccaneers NFC Champions! We are looking forward to watching you be the first team in the NFL to play a Super Bowl at home.”
Congratulations @Buccaneers NFC Champions! We are looking forward to watching you be the first team in NFL history to play a Super Bowl at home. #SuperBowlLV #NFCChampionship
— Chris Sprowls (@ChrisSprowls) January 24, 2021
Senate President Wilton Simpson also got in on the buzz, echoing the excitement, saying “Looking forward to welcoming the Buccaneers back to Tampa Bay as the first team in NFL history to play a Super Bowl at home.”
Looking forward to welcoming the @Buccaneers back to Tampa Bay as the first team in NFL history to play a Super Bowl at home. #SuperBowlLV #NFCChampionship
— Wilton Simpson (@WiltonSimpson) January 24, 2021
Recently elected Brandon Rep. Andrew Learned shared several tweets bursting with enthusiasm, writing “Fire The Cannons because we’re going to the Super Bowl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”” (Yes, those many exclamation marks.)
Isobel and I are ready for #GameDay! Now, lets #GoBucs!!! pic.twitter.com/AY3TRTpJ1G
— Rep. Andrew Learned (@AndrewLearned) January 24, 2021
The Florida GOP also gave props to the Tampa Bay team, tweeting, “Congratulations to the Tampa Bay @Buccaneers—NFC Champions and the first team in NFL history to play a Super Bowl in its home stadium… Fire the Cannons!”
Congratulations to the Tampa Bay @Buccaneers—NFC Champions and the first team in NFL history to play a Super Bowl in its home stadium… Fire the Cannons!
— Florida GOP (@FloridaGOP) January 24, 2021
Rep. Chris Latvala, a Republican from Largo, retweeted ESPN’s Adam Schefter with a post noting how Tampa Bay has become a title town in recent months with the Tampa Bay Lightning winning the Stanley Cup in September and the Tampa Bay Rays playing in the World Series, though not successfully, in October.
It’s almost as if wherever Tom Brady goes, success follows. Tampa Bay now has three teams – the Bucs, Lightning and Rays – who have made it to their respective championship matchups since Brady signed with the Bucs. pic.twitter.com/WmxxuIP4yL
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 24, 2021
