Super Bowl LV’s $2 Million Legacy Project Boosts Tampa Community

TAMPA, FL – The National Football League has made a longstanding commitment to improve the surrounding communities of Super Bowl host cities each year through the Super Bowl Legacy Grant Program and other league partners.

This year, a $2 million grant – supported by funding from the NFL Foundation, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Tampa Bay Super Bowl Host Committee – will support Forever 55, the Host Committee's primary social legacy initiative.

On Friday, the Tampa Bay Super Bowl Committee highlighted the everlasting impression Forever 55 will have on the Tampa community ahead of Sunday’s championship game, while outlining six pillars of support including:

· First 1,000 Days (Early Childhood Education);
· Fuel (Food Insecurity);
· Families (At-Risk, Unsheltered and Veterans);
· Fitness (Health and Wellness);
· Future (Sustainability)
· Further (Systemic Justice)

The Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee's focus this year has been on raising the bar for the fan experience in the Tampa Bay region during Super Bowl week showcasing the destination's recent progress and exciting future, all while delivering a fifth world-class Super Bowl.

"With this past year being so tough for so many, we wanted to work alongside the Tampa Bay Super Bowl Host Committee and Tampa Bay Buccaneers to ensure we were able to help those in the greatest need immediately and make a positive impact," said NFL Vice President of Philanthropy and Executive Director of the NFL Foundation, Alexia Gallagher. "We're proud that our grant partnership has helped to provide meaningful resources and support to the Tampa Bay community during these challenging times and for years to come."

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Co-Owner & President of Glazer Vision Foundation Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee CEO Rob Higgins, Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee COO Claire Lessinger, Director, Business Connect & Community Outreach, Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee Lakendria Robinson, City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee Co-Chair and Buccaneers Legend Derrick Brooks were present for the press conference at Water Works Park.

“When all the dust settles, for me I step back and look to see how our community wins,” explained the Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Brooks, a 14-year veteran of the Buccaneers and Super Bowl XXXVII champion. “If we’re going to win through our community efforts, over $2 million will be staying in this Bay area through our partnership with the NFL.”

The Buccaneers will become the first team in NFL history to play in the Super Bowl on their home turf when they take on the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday evening with millions of fans tuning in from around the world and 25,000 fans estimated to be in attendance at Raymond James Stadium.

Led by one of the most prolific postseason icons in all of sports in quarterback and six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, Tampa Bay looks to win its second championship in franchise history.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs are attempting to become the first team to defend their title in back to back seasons since the New England Patriots accomplished that feat in the 2003-04 seasons behind what has been a nearly unstoppable offensive trio of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill.

While there was much uncertainty as to what type of season the NFL would have this year, the league’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic was impressive to say the least and we are now at the pinnacle of the year with the championship game just hours away. This year's championship game has all the makings of an epic showdown and is sure to be one for the ages.

SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Charges is scheduled to host Super Bowl LVI next year and there is much optimism the league will build on this year’s successes. On the field, it figures to be difficult to top this year's matchup -- at least on paper. From a presentation standpoint, there remains hope that 2022 will bring more opportunities for inclusive in-person entertainment.

For now, let's embrace the present and hope for a better future.