The definition of sport is an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature, as racing, baseball, tennis, golf, bowling, wrestling, boxing, hunting, fishing, etc. For anybody who has ever been to a Special Olympics event you know that all of these things are true along with a few others. Like smiles, tears, and celebrations of joy and were not even talking about the athletes themselves.
A Special day
Tuesday was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers annual tradition of inviting 60 Special Olympics athletes out to the teams training facilities at the AdventHealth Training Center. Buccaneers TE Cameron Brate said, “this is probably my favorite day of training camp” in a tweet that can be seen (here) by Greg Auman of The Athletic.
So awesome seeing the @Buccaneers host @SOhillsborough athletes. @Jaboowins is having a blast! We’ll have the full story on @BN9 at 10:30. pic.twitter.com/9GVIX9hW14
— Olivia Stacey (@Olivia_Stacey) August 6, 2019
The Buccaneers are deeply involved with this great organization and on September 14th will be recognized as Sports Organization of the Year at Special Olympics Florida’s Champions Gala. “We are grateful to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for inviting our athletes to participate once again in their annual training camp, ”Special Olympics Florida President & CEO Sherry Wheelock said. “Over the past six years the Buccaneers have contributed their time and resources to support our mission by hosting training camps for our athletes, delivering memorable experiences with donated game tickets and providing executive leadership to serve on our Sports Advisory Council. Notably, this year we celebrated our first annual Sunshine Bowl, a 6-on-6 one-day flag football tournament fundraiser hosted by the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium which raised over $50,000.”
Always inspiring
To watch the Special Olympic athletes train, persevere, and celebrate their accomplishments is truly inspiring. Seeing the Buccaneer organization and players so involved in such a great endeavor makes Buccaneer fans proud. Sure its a little break from the daily grind of training camp but the real recharge is in the hearts of the players who give these accomplished athletes a day of skill stations, scrimmages, and fun interactions with their favorite players and coaches.
Buccaneer fans who wish to make a donation can to the givespecialolympics.org website and make a contribution to the Special Olympics that can help with the equipment, attire, and health supplies that could transform an athletes life-both in your state and around the world.
sources: Websters Dictionary, 98Rock.iheart.com
Photo credit: Special Olympics Hillsborough County
