Are Future Bucs’ Throwback Games In Jeopardy?

The Bucs throwback uniforms made quite a comeback during the 2023 season. After an 11-year hiatus due to a one-helmet rule that the NFL has since rescinded, Tampa Bay was finally able to don its orange and white Bucco Bruce uniforms, known as the “creamsicles,” against the Detroit Lions in Week 6.

The Bucs’ original uniform and helmet combination lasted from 1976-96 until it was replaced with today’s red and pewter color scheme, and a new pewter helmet with a red pirate flag featuring a skull and crossed swords. Tampa Bay immediately made the playoffs in 1997 when the new look debuted, and has won both of its Super Bowls in red and pewter.

Unfortunately, that most recent throwback game ended in a 20-6 loss to the Lions and extended the team’s losing streak in the throwback uniforms to four straight since the Bucs brought back the old creamsicle look from 2009-12 and again in 2023. Tampa Bay is now 1-4 in throwback games with the lone win coming in 2009 against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.

Bucs’ Outcomes In Throwback Games

38-28 win vs. Green Bay in 2009
28-24 loss vs. Atlanta in 2010
38-19 loss vs. Carolina in 2011
35-28 loss vs. New Orleans in 2012
20-6 loss vs. Detroit in 2023

Aside from last year’s outcome on the scoreboard, the revival of the creamsicles were a huge success within the Bucs organization. The players loved it as much as the fans did. And jersey sales skyrocketed last year with the return of the orange jerseys.

“Everybody loves the throwbacks,” Glazer said. “I mean that was really energizing last year because it had been so long for various reasons why we couldn’t wear the helmet. But to have them back, I know everyone in our organization was thrilled. The fans really rallied around it and had a great time with it.

But when asked whether or not the Bucs would continue to make the throwback game an annual affair at the NFL Annual Meeting this past week in Orlando, co-chairman Joel Glazer was actually non-committal on the topic.

It’s something that for sure we’re look to do more in the future,” Glazer said. “That’s something we’re kind of working through right now and when we settle on where it’s going we’ll communicate that.”

What Game Could The Bucs’ Throwback Game In 2024?

Given the popularity of the return of the throwback uniforms it’s hard to believe that the Bucs won’t make wearing them a yearly tradition. It made sense debuting the throwbacks against Tampa Bay’s old NFC Central rival, Detroit, last year. And if the team were to wear the orange and white uniforms in 2024 there could be a few games that make sense.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

The NFL schedule in terms of dates and times won’t be released until early May after the NFL Draft. But the Bucs’ opponents for the 2024 season are already known. Tampa Bay has already worn its throwbacks against divisional opponents Atlanta, Carolina and New Orleans, but the Bucs could wear them again against an NFC South foe.

But with Philadelphia, Las Vegas and Denver on the home schedule, Tampa Bay wearing the old Bucco Bruce look against those teams could be an option. The Bucs had their first-ever playoff win against the Eagles in 1979, and if Philadelphia were to wear its Kelly Green throwbacks it would make for a classic-looking game.

The Bucs’ white Bucco Bruce helmet features a pirate, as does the Raiders’ silver helmet. So a classic pirate-on-pirate clash would also be cool to see.

And the Bucs wearing their creamsicle orange versus the Broncos’ classic Orange Crush look would be apropos in a tropical setting like Tampa Bay during the 2024 season.

But first the Glazers and chief operating officer Brian Ford need to commit to having the throwback uniforms on an annual basis rather than just a regular basis – breaking them out every few years in more of a special occasion basis. We’ll find out soon enough when the Bucs’ full schedule is released in about six weeks after the NFL solidifies all schedules after the draft.