Super Bowl Fine For Peace Sign Taunt Benefits At-Risk Students

TAMPA, FL — After being fined for flashing a peace sign at a Kansas City Chiefs player during the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl Feb. 7, Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. is turning his slap on the wrist into a reward for at-risk students in Tampa.

Winfield was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct during Super Bowl IV after giving Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill the peace sign.

According to Bucs management, the gesture was made in the heat of the moment as Winfield came up with a crucial pass breakup. He wanted to playfully remind Hill of his actions the last time the two teams faced one another. During that game, Hill performed his signature celebratory backflip in the end zone and then gave Winfield the peace sign.

In this case, the referee interpreted Winfield's return gesture as an attempt to provoke the wide receiver on the losing team. The ref threw a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct and Winfield was fined $7,815 by the National Football League.

While the Bucs said these kinds of fines are common in the NFL due to the competitive nature of the players, Winfield decided to make amends for his behavior by matching the amount of the fine and donating it to the first-of-its-kind Buccaneers Youth Leadership Program.

"Since it got a lot of media attention, it was out there and I wanted to just spin it in a way to make it positive," said Winfield. "And what better way than to give back to the youth leadership program that I did all year? That was kind of how that came about because I was thinking of different things I could do. I spent the whole year with the kids, talking to them and everything, so I feel like that was a good opportunity to go with those guys."

The Buccaneers Youth Leadership Program is part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Social Justice Initiative created in 2018 with a $1 million donation by the Glazer family to break down barriers to racial and social inequity.

A joint effort between Bucs players and staff, the Bucs serve as mentors for 25 students at Young Middle School, a Title 1 school located in the low-income East Tampa community.

"The Buccaneers are dedicated to creating positive change in our community, and that begins with our youth," said Buccaneers co-owner Darcie Glazer Kassewitz. "We want to provide students with the tools necessary to unlock their potential and achieve their goals. I am proud of this commitment from our players and staff to establish meaningful relationships and help empower Tampa Bay's next generation of leaders."

Young Middle School is a magnet school with a hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math curriculum. Students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades were identified by the school and matched with Buccaneers mentors.

Developing consistent, long-term relationships with Tampa Bay youths was a goal identified this year by the members of the Buccaneers Social Justice Player Board consisting of cornerback Carlton Davis, guard Ali Marpet, punter Bradley Pinion and tackle Donovan Smith. The board spearheads conversations and engagement in social justice causes throughout Tampa Bay.

"For over two years, the team's Social Justice Initiative has helped us learn more about the variety of issues that are at the root of systemic injustice," said Marpet. "We want to apply this understanding by building relationships with Tampa Bay youth that will help inspire these students, as well as everyone involved, to be stronger leaders."

"The impact that a mentor can have on someone, it's life-changing," said Davis. "We're excited to create that change by being a positive influence with these students."

The program kicked off in October and continues twice a month throughout the school year. The conversations, held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic, are moderated by Safe & Sound Hillsborough, a nonprofit dedicated to building strong families, safe schools and healthy neighborhoods, with a focus on areas where social problems have occurred.

"As we explore topics such as social justice, policymaking and service to others, all participants are able to share their experiences and work together for a common goal - to help develop and support our future leaders," said Safe & Sound Hillsborough Executive Director Freddy Barton

Each student in the program receives a variety of resources to support their academic needs, including a Buccaneers backpack, a mobile hotspot, school supplies and team gear.

In addition to group workshops, mentors and students connect for a one-on-one session at least once a month. Studies have shown that students with a mentor are 46 percent less likely to start using illegal drugs, 52 percent less likely to skip a day of school, 55 percent more likely to enroll in college and 81 percent more likely to participate in extra-curricular activities.

"Mentors are game-changers for our children," said Addison Davis, superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools. "We know these lasting relationships help to build self-esteem and bonds that continue throughout their educational journeys. We are grateful for community partners like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who repeatedly step up to show our students how much they care."

Youth empowerment, police relations, criminal justice reform and workforce development have been focal points of the team's Social Justice Initiative, which supports year-round player efforts dedicated to achieving social justice through purposeful dialogue and programs that make a positive change in the community.

Mentorship was something Winfield was prepared for going into the program. At a young age, he took on the responsibility of raising his younger brothers. Winfield said that experience taught him the leadership skills he now uses on the Buccaneers' defensive line despite this being his first season as a pro.

Since the program kicked off in October, Winfield has mentored the same three students during six virtual meetings. He said it's given him the opportunity to get to know each student and create a lasting impact on them as the program continues through the school year.

"Being able to talk to the kids and learn more about what goes on in their lives and their perspectives of life itself was a cool experience because you really get more out of it learning from them than they learned from us," Winfield said. "It has just been great to build those relationships with those kids and see where they're coming from and just guide them the best way possible. They're the next generation, so I thought it was awesome just being able to talk to those kids and give them advice and lead them in the right direction."

Winfield's teammates liked his idea of donating the amount of his fine to the program so much, they decided to match Winfield's donation for a total contribution of $15,630.

"Our students have already benefited greatly from the Buccaneers Youth Leadership Program at Young Middle Magnet School," said Henrissa Berry, principal of Young Middle Magnet. "This is just another example of how this partnership teaches our learners important life lessons they will bring with them even outside the walls of the classroom."

"Our district is deeply appreciative, not only for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but also Antoine Winfield Jr. for this monetary donation that will make a strong impact at Young Middle Magnet," said Davis. "Taking an unfortunate situation and turning it into a positive one is the measure of a true champion, and a wonderful example for our students and the entire community."

Anyone who would like to donate a program can do so on the Hillsborough Education Foundation website. When making a donation, note that the gift is for the Buccaneers Youth Leadership Program and Young Middle School in the notes section.