Actual attendance for 49ers-Buccaneers was the lowest at Raymond James Stadium since '10GETTY IMAGES
The Buccaneers are "offering season pass members two complimentary tickets each" for Sunday's home game against the Panthers after the "smallest crowd in more than eight years" at Raymond James Stadium witnessed the team beat the 49ers last week, according to Rick Stroud of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. The tickets are available on a "first-come, first serve basis," and Bucs fans "must reserve their two free tickets" by today. Only the Bengals and Chargers have a "lower average home attendance than the Bucs this season, who have averaged an announced crowd of 55,181." The "actual attendance recorded by the Tampa Sports Authority was 40,682 for the Bucs-49ers game Sunday, the lowest for any regular-season home game" since November '10, when a "game against the Panthers drew 39,781." Bucs COO Brian Ford said, "We have made similar offers over the years, and the holiday seemed like a great opportunity to thank our loyal season pass members with a special opportunity." Dwindling attendance is "understandable with the Bucs at 4-7 and having not made the postseason" since '07 (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 11/29). YAHOO SPORTS' Jack Baer wrote there is "no word if the Bucs will do this for their remaining home games against the Saints and Falcons, but if they’re doing it for a game against one division rival, it makes sense they could do it for the others" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 11/28).
LACE 'EM UP: In Tampa, Eduardo Encina notes throughout the Buccaneers' locker room yesterday, players "unboxed custom-made cleats that they will wear" in Sunday's game to "promote charitable organizations close to them through the NFL's 'My Cause, My Cleats' campaign." More than 50 Bucs players and staff members "will wear custom shoes." Bucs QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is "wearing his cleats for George Amadeo, an 18-year-old gamer who was shot at the Madden gaming tournament in Jacksonville." The cleats highlight the National Compassion Fund, which "helps victims of mass shootings." WR Chris Godwin had "two pairs of cleats -- one multi-colored pair for pregame and another set of red game cleats -- to recognize Best Buddies, an organization that pairs volunteers with others with developmental disabilities." Bucs DT Beau Allen will "wear cleats recognizing the Chris Long Foundation" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 11/29).
