TAMPA, Fla. – It’s the 10th year Tampa Bay Buccaneers, past and present, have supported “Cut and Color Funds The Cure” in fighting against childhood cancer.
One of the biggest names ever to wear a Bucs uniform, Rob Gronkowski, wanted to make sure he was here to help fight the fight.
“The situation that these kids are going through is unlike anything I’ve ever been through,” Gronkowski said. “So just to be here, on their side to support them, be their hero and buzz my hair and to show we’re here for them, raising awareness for these kids, it’s just an honor.”
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The Bucs at the Advent Health Center had their heads or facial hair shaved or colored. Bucs Legends playing along included Ronde Barber, Mike Alstott, Jimmie Giles, Richard “Batman Woods, Martin Gramatica, and Dexter Jackson. Bucs All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. is proud to be a part of this and says the Bucs have always been known to give back to the community.
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“Ever since I’ve been here, it’s always been known like that,” Winfield said, who had his hair painted red. “The Bucs do a good job of pushing that and allowing us to have different paths to go and do different things around the community.”
After a decade of doing this, the Bucs have raised nearly $700,000 to benefit the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. It’s been spearheaded by Bucs Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford. Ford said he had no problem convincing Gronk or any of the Bucs, past or present, to participate.
“He’s (Gronk) a special individual,” Ford said. “For what he’s done and his foundation, the Boston Marathon and bringing awareness and we’re very grateful to have him as part of this organization. I can’t wait for him to be the Captain of the Krew this coming year.”
It was the first year the event was open to the general public and held in the Bucs indoor facility. The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation is headquartered in Tampa and is dedicated to funding research to eliminate childhood cancer. All involved had happy faces, especially those kids fighting cancer and their families. Plans are already underway to make next year’s event even bigger.
For more info on NPCF go to nationalpcf.org.
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