The Buccaneers fled Florida days earlier than Hurricane Milton hit the devastated the Tampa Bay space, and as they flip their consideration to the New Orleans Saints this weekend, there’s undoubtedly extra on their minds than only a soccer sport.
Tampa Bay has tried to refocus on their Week 6 matchup in opposition to the Saints whereas in New Orleans, coming off a tricky additional time loss in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive sort out Tristan Wirfs, #78, congratulates quarterback Baker Mayfield, #6, after a landing in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles within the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Sept. 29, 2024. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Photographs)
“We’re not even just playing for just football now. We’re trying to play for something a little bit bigger,” Bucs extensive receiver Mike Evans instructed reporters on Wednesday, through ESPN.
Evans is used to the chaos {that a} hurricane forecast brings. He grew up in Galveston, Texas, which is not any stranger to the influence an enormous storm can convey.
“I just want everybody to be safe at the end of the day,” he stated.
“We obviously have a job to do, so we’re going to do that. The games are still going to be played. The hardest thing is just making sure everybody is good, then just praying and hoping for the best.”
The Buccaneers moved their operations to the New Orleans space, practising at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium. After observe, group members and personnel had been bussed again to their lodge rooms which are being shared with relations and pets.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers extensive receiver Mike Evans, #13, runs with the ball in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles through the first half at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Sept. 29, 2024. (Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Photographs)
“Family is the most important thing right now. … If you can get your family out and keep them safe, everything else can be replaced,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles stated.
“We understand the things we do in football are a small (part) in the game of life and how a hurricane is going to affect people,” he stated. “Everybody is here, and their families are here. That makes it a lot easier.”
The Glazer household, which owns the Buccaneers, chartered two planes for a touring occasion of round 350 individuals and 31 pets.
Bowles stated having the households and pets on the lodge introduced its personal set of challenges whereas making an attempt to keep up some form of normalcy with its observe routine.
“Learning from that, we’re a little more organized as far as when we meet, when the families eat, how they eat,” Bowles stated. “So it’s a little, I don’t want to say easier, but a little more structured this time around.”
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles previous to the sport in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Sept. 29, 2024. (Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Photographs)
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As Milton made landfall on Wednesday evening, the Buccaneers had all the state of Florida of their ideas and prayers.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
