The Buccaneers unveiled their new uniforms and logo
yesterday, first to the media, and then to a public
gathering of about 1,000 people, according to Rick Stroud of
the ST. PETERSBURG TIMES. Bucs Owner Malcolm Glazer led a
procession of players and coaches outside the Tampa
Convention Center, where they were greeted by a "thunderous
ovation and overwhelming approval." The new logo features a
"tattered" red flag with a skull and crossed swords. One
jersey is red with white numbers trimmed in orange and
black, another is white with red numbers trimmed in orange
and black. One set of pants is white, the other dark gray,
both with red stripes trimmed in orange and black. Helmets
are dark grey (ST. PETE TIMES, 4/10). Bucs QB Trent Dilfer,
on former logo "Bucco Bruce:" "He looked wimpy. It grew
tiresome looking silly" (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 4/10).
CLOSE CALL: The "secrecy" of the unveiling was almost
"spoiled" Tuesday when a package containing a copy of the
logo was dropped off at local Fox affil WTVT. The station
contacted the Bucs for comment, and the team told the NFL
the "secret could be blown on the telecast." NFL officials
contacted Fox network execs, who asked the affiliate not to
go with the story (Pat Yasinskas, TAMPA TRIBUNE, 4/10).
