Highlights Of Tampa Bucs’ Demolition Of Chiefs In Super Bowl

TAMPA, FL — In a sports season marked by victories for Tampa Bay, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers proved even a coronavirus pandemic couldn't stop the team as they faced the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday night.

On the heels of the Tampa Bay Lightning's Stanley Cup victory and the Tampa Bay Rays' run in the World Series, the Bucs demonstrated that they could still perform for a limited capacity crowd.

The Bucs easily defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9.

Nevertheless, broadcasters said there was a surreal feeling to the game with only 25,000 fans in the stadium that hold 65,980. The crowd included 7,500 front-line health care workers who were given free tickets by the NFL to show its gratitude to the men and women who risked their lives to save others during the pandemic. In between the socially distanced seating were 30,000 life-size photo cut-outs of fans who paid to have virtual seats at the game.

"I've got to start by saluting all the health care workers," said Bucs owner Joel Glazer as he accepted the Vince Lombardi Trophy. "They are the true heroes."

"I didn't do a damn thing," Head Coach Bruce Arians told the team. "You came together as a band of brothers."

Quarterback Tom Brady, accepting the MVP award for the fifth time in his career, said this game is just the beginning.

"We're world champions forever. You can't take that away from us," he said. "And we're coming back."

The win means Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis won't have to make good on his bet with Missouri Gov. Mike Parson to send Parson shipment of fresh Florida seafood.

DeSantis was eating stone crab legs and grouper sandwiches at Frenchy's Rockaway Grill on Clearwater Beach when he posted his friendly bet with the Missouri governor.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Tom Brady hoist the Lombardi Trophy for the seventh time and it’ll be a huge win for the community,” DeSantis tweeted to Parson. “But in the event we don’t, you’ll have a couple of really good meals.”

Photos by Tampa Bay Buccaneers photographers Kyle Zedaker, Tori Richman, Mike Carlson, Matt May, Jason Parkhurst