A day after Hurricane Ian made landfall in West Florida, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced their Week 4 game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night would remain in Tampa. Bay as expected.
The team’s full statement on the schedule announcement is below:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the thousands of people in the Southwest Florida area who were severely impacted by Hurricane Ian. We are also very grateful that the Tampa Bay area was spared the worst consequences. damage from this powerful storm.We have advised the NFL, after consultation with local and state agencies, that we are prepared to play Sunday night’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Raymond James Stadium as originally scheduled.
“We would like to thank all local government agencies and the thousands of emergency personnel who have worked tirelessly over the past few days to ensure our region would be ready to respond if needed. We would also like to thank the Miami Dolphins organization for their help and hospitality in allowing us to use their practice facilities this week.
“We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the first responders and emergency personnel who are already battling the elements, saving lives and helping our neighbors in the worst affected areas of our south.
“We will soon have additional information on how we can come together to support our community and those most affected by the storm.
The NFL discussed all issues with local officials, and if the hurricane forced the league to move the game, it planned to hold it in Minneapolis at US Bank Stadium, home of the Vikings. Minnesota plays the New Orleans Saints in London on Sunday morning, which left the stadium open for the Bucs and Chiefs to use as a contingency plan. Fortunately, this turned out to be unnecessary.
The Buccaneers left the Tampa area on Tuesday and have been training in Miami at the Dolphins facility all week, but will return to Raymond James Stadium for a crucial Week 4 game.
“Our thoughts and hearts go out to everyone in Tampa who is still here. Hopefully they recover well and this doesn’t hit them very hard,” Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday. , via Athleticism. “That’s the most important thing. What we’re doing is really a little entertainment for people who are going through a lot of tough stuff. Hopefully we can provide that. It’s bigger than just the football team, No. 1. No. 2 is making sure the families of the players are safe and the families of the coaches and all staff are safe so they can focus on the football. “