My family will be going to our first ever NFL game later this month. I was looking through the policies and starting to worry about the no bag policy. One of my kids is on the autism spectrum and uses tools like resistance bands, weighted vests or lap pads, fidgets, and noise cancelling headphones. I was trying to find the best way to accommodate his needs with the no bag policy when I learned that the stadium has two sensory rooms and sensory bags available to borrow. The sensory bags include noise cancelling headphones (though I’ll still bring our own because he can be sensitive to how they feel on his head), fidget tools, and verbal cue cards. They also have weighted lab pads available. I’m so thankful to the Bucs for offering these resources so that families like mine can feel welcome.

Baker Mayfield used to keep a list. His childhood friends are convinced this started early in high school, back when he was 5 feet 5 and 120 pounds, a wannabe quarterback in the football-obsessed Texas town of Lake Travis who had to crowhop like a center fielder just to throw it 35 yards.

His buddies ribbed him. His parents wanted him to quit. He started writing down the names of anyone who doubted or dismissed him, easy fuel for a player who came to crave conflict.

When he couldn’t find a target, he’d invent one. Once, during a 7-on-7 state championship game, Mayfield was torching an opposing cornerback so consistently that he started calling out his receivers’ routes before the snap, wanting the kid to know exactly how he was going to embarrass him.

“Here comes the post!”

“We’re running a fade! You can stop a fade, right?”

The touchdowns piled up. The corner grew so frustrated his coach yanked him off the field. Mayfield kept chirping at him.

“In all my years I’ve only had one player get a taunting penalty in 7-on-7,” says Lake Travis coach Hank Carter. “And Baker got several.”

First time going to a bucs game. Visiting family in Cape Coral then driving up for the game.

Group of 3 guys, coming from the midwest, want to experience both beach vibes, but also want younger crowd and of course beers and chicken wings. Understanding probably cant have both and have to choose one or the other. But what makes sense with a younger crowd but still get our sports vibe? or do we stay closer to stadium and just uber where we want to go?

Bonus points for ANY bar recommendations and tailgate advice!

thanks!!

Disclaimer: Profanity/Not my content

Former Buc Beau Allen out here interviewing the fellas, awesome conversation