Tim McGraw Helps Bucs Kick Off Season With Pre-Game Concert

TAMPA, FL —The 2019 season is finally here, and the Buccaneers are opening Sunday at home against the San Francisco 49ers.

The last time the two teams met was Week 12 of last year when the Niners came to town. The Bucs won the game handily, with a final score of 27-9. Outside linebacker Carl Nassib recorded a sack and forced fumble in the game while quarterback Jameis Winston went 29-of-38 passing for 312 yards and two touchdowns through the air.

This game will be a little different given who is calling the shots for the Buccaneers. It will be the first look at the Bucs on both sides of the ball under Head Coach Bruce Arians. The new coach has brought in two new coordinators, offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, both of whom spoke about being prepared for Sunday.

“I’m pretty sure I’ll feel the same way I’ve felt in the past,” said Leftwich, who played quarterback in the league for nine years. “The great thing is I’ve been in these types of situations before as a player. They don’t get to tackle – they don’t actually hit me now. You just really focus in, just always constantly thinking about how to put your guys in a position to make plays – just making sure we’re practicing, doing the things we need to practice and just trying to rev the guys up, making sure we’re ready to play on Sunday. That’s really my only thought process as of right now.”

“We’ll be ready on Sunday,” Bowles said. “Right now, you try to do all the little things to make sure we’re prepared – make sure that the guys are playing together, they can communicate and try to be as ready as you can for the first one.”

Grammy-winning country singer Tim McGraw will help the Bucs kick off the season with a free pre-game concert at Raymond James Stadium. The concert is part of the team’s NFL Fantennial Celebration commemorating 100 years of NFL football.

“As teams all across the league prepare to celebrate 100 years of NFL football, we wanted to usher in this historic season in unprecedented fashion,” said Buccaneers Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford. “This free pre-game concert with country music superstar Tim McGraw will provide an unforgettable start to the NFL’s 100th season.”

The full concert begins at 2:00 p.m. Ticketed fans will be allowed to enter the stadium beginning at 12:30 p.m. with parking lots opening at 11:30 a.m.

McGraw will perform a variety of his No. 1 hits as well as an encore halftime performance.

“The start of the NFL season is one of my favorite times of the year,” said McGraw. “I love football and I’m pumped to be kicking off the NFL’s 100th season together with all the Bucs fans in Tampa.”

Tickets are still available through Ticket Network. Enter the code PATCHTICKETS10 for 10 percent off tickets.

If you can't make it to Raymond James Stadium, you can watch the game on WTVT FOX 13 Tampa or live stream the game through Yahoo Sports or the Buccaneers Official App, free on your phone or tablet.