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Some fans are in camp for the first time. Others are old pros. All brave the heat and distance for their Buccaneers.
By DONG-PHUONG NGUYEN, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 1, 2002
CELEBRATION -- Michelle Dodge and her kids love the Buccaneers. The Lakeland family cheers on the team by yelling at their television screen during the season. Ten-month-old James wears a baby outfit stamped with pewter helmets.
But they had never seen the Bucs live -- until Wednesday.
With training camp being held this year at the Disney Wide World of Sports complex near the happiest place on earth, fans who in years past couldn't make it to Pepin Rood Stadium in Tampa have flocked to the new training site to watch the Bucs prepare for another season.
The first-timers were joined by the die-hard fans who traveled Interstate 4 from Tampa and St. Petersburg to see whether this really is The Year. In all, about 2,000 fans made the trip Wednesday morning.
The best thing about it?
"It's free," Dodge said. "It's affordable family entertainment for a day."
With season tickets hard to come by -- and expensive on a hairdresser's salary -- Dodge said she can't afford to attend any games.
"Maybe you could do one of the player's hair," offered her 10-year old son, Kyle Lewis.
With that scenario as unlikely as feuding players Keyshawn Johnson and Warren Sapp holding hands during Snow White's Scary Adventures, she jumped at the chance to watch them at camp.
Dodge found the parking and the admission very, well, un-Disney like.
"Free parking and free admission!" Dodge said.
There were plenty of cold refreshments being hawked to the jerseyed masses who sat in covered bleachers and stood under leafy trees as the Bucs baked on the field during morning and afternoon practices.
The temperature and humidity made it intense.
"It's almost unbearable, but it's worth it, without a doubt," said Will Holland, a 29-year-old sales rep from Orlando, wiping away sweat beads from his freckled forehead. There were good sports all around. They used calendars and promotional posters to fan themselves. One kid even blew the hot air into his face with a battery-operated mini fan.
Many of the fans were willing to rise early and hit the road to watch their Bucs.
The Damm family -- Bob, Doreen and 12-year-old Brian -- left their Oldsmar home at 6 a.m. Wednesday to avoid traffic and be sure they had good seats for the morning session.
Bob Damm has been a season ticket holder since the first day the Bucs put on their orange uniforms. He has missed only one game in the team's 25-year history.
"Christmas Eve 1989 against the Steelers," he cited rather quickly. (Was that a hint of bitterness?)
Brian had come into the world just a week earlier.
"It was a tough decision," the Winn-Dixie store manager lamented.
Like Damm, it would take a lot to keep Bruce Seay of St. Petersburg away from his beloved Bucs.
Seay, wearing a coach Jon Gruden-as-Chucky T-shirt, stood under a tree as he watched the Bucs run drills. He took the day off from work and drove an hour and 15 minutes.
"I'm a true fan," said the 31-year-old. "I wouldn't leave my spot for anything. Maybe lightning. Maybe."