For just the second time since the Glazers took ownership of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team will embrace their past this Sunday with the 2010 Throwback Game. With division rival Atlanta in town for a game with serious playoff implications, Tampa Bay players will be wearing those creamsicle-colored jerseys from days of yore.
In addition, the team promises to make the entire game-day experience a visual trip back to 1976, featuring Florida Orange all over the place. Plans include orange bunting, orange cheerleaders, orange flags, orange BucVision, and replacing Captain Fear with old Bucco Bruce.
The centerpiece to all this, of course, is Coach John McKay’s induction into the Buccaneers Ring of Honor.
McKay was the first-ever head coach of the team, which began play in 1976. He brought us to our first NFC Championship in 1979. Bucs Nation has a great overview of Coach John McKay’s time in Tampa Bay, and TBO produced a neat photo gallery of his Buccaneer days.
Coach McKay passed away in 2001, and his son, current Falcons GM and former Buccaneers GM Rich McKay, will be on hand to accept the honor on his dad’s behalf.