Buccaneers’ lone Super Bowl victory was 16 years ago today

What a glorious time. The Buccaneers received their very first (and only) Lombardi Trophy 16 many years ago today. The day was Jan. 26, 2003 when Tampa Bay intercepted Oakland’s Prosperous Gannon 5 periods en route to a 48-21 victory.

The Bucs defeat the 49ers (31-6 in Tampa) and Eagles (27-10 in Philadelphia) on their way to San Diego, whilst the Raiders took down the Jets (30-10 in Oakland) and Titans (41-24 in Oakland) to get there. The stage was set for an all-pirate Tremendous Bowl that pit Tampa Bay head coach Jon Gruden from his former workforce. The Bucs had traded for Gruden prior to the season, and on that day in January, the transfer paid out off.

Gruden had Tampa Bay ready for Oakland’s high-powered offense. Eventual MVP Dexter Jackson had two interceptions, as did Dwight Smith (who returned the two of his for touchdowns). Derrick Brooks had a decide six of his individual in the fourth quarter to ice the sport entirely. Overall, Oakland put up just 269 yards from the vaunted Tampa Bay protection.

The Buccaneer offense clicked as perfectly, with Brad Johnson completing 18 of his 34 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns. Keenan McCardell caught the two touchdowns from Johnson, Michael Pittman ran the ball 29 periods for 124 yards and Mike Alstott observed the finish zone.

It was a magical day for the franchise, a single that is even now remembered and talked about to this day. Of system, it could get introduced up even more frequently for the reason that of how inadequate the workforce has been in current many years. But even so, absolutely everyone definitely remembers the place they had been when Gruden and proprietor Malcolm Glazer embraced and celebrated Tampa Bay’s very first-at any time championship.

Under no circumstances head the reality that a man or woman born on that day in 2003 could get their driver’s license today. Currently is even now a very good day to celebrate the greatest place in franchise history. Kick again and observe the team’s “America’s Game” documentary, some highlights from the sport or the full sport by itself. If you have absolutely nothing to do right up until it’s time for the NHL All Star Video game or NXT TakeOver tonight, perhaps you are going to want to observe all 3.

Cheers, Bucs followers. Here’s to an additional magical run in the near future, eh?