A Reason For The Buccaneers To Get Angry In Denver

The first time the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ever played in Denver was a doozy. It was week 9 of their inaugural 1976 season. Playing an All-AFC schedule that first season, the team went into Denver having dropped the first eight games of the season. Then all hell broke loose.

No Love Lost

There was a rivalry between John McKay and Denver coach John Ralston. It stretched all the way back to their college coaching days. John McKay the coach of USC. Ralston the coach of Stanford. “Stanford was not his favorite,” said McKay’s long-time USC assistant, Dave Levy. “He felt they were a little arrogant. Stanford gave him the needle. He used to say, `I like (Stanford coach) John Ralston when we beat them. I don’t like him when we lose to them.’ ”

McKay was not coaching USC anymore. The Buccaneers were just 8 games into a 26 game losing streak. As a result of a bad expansion draft format, Tampa Bay was made up of injured, washed up veterans, and very green rookies. The situation was perfectly set for a proud man like McKay to lose his sh__.

What Could Go Wrong 

The Buccaneers were 17-point underdogs that day, at 0-8, but leading in the third quarter 13-10, there was hope. Then there wasn’t. The Broncos would score 38 unanswered points in nine minutes. Three touchdowns were scored defensively. This did not stop McKay from accusing Broncos coach Ralston of running up the score.

Doesn’t That Just Beat All

“He’s a prick” said McKay after the game. “He always was a prick. I hope he gets fired”. From the sideline at Mile High Stadium, McKay pointed across the field at Ralston and cursed and refused to shake hands with him after the game. In the locker room following the game McKay gave the players just fifteen minutes to shower, collect their things, and be on the team bus. Everybody made it except one. Team owner, Hugh Culverhouse. Running through the parking lot and throwing rocks at the bus, Culverhouse was yelling “Stop! Stop! I own the team.

McKay was 7-2 against Ralston from 1963 to 1971 at the college level, but lost the last two. The Buccaneers are 2-7 all-time against the Denver Broncos. Having also lost the last two. It is time for the 2020 Buccaneers to start showing the world what they are capable of. It’s time to saddle those Broncos up and ride.

Having a team of historical greatness will only be justified if the play on the field is of historic significance. Each week is another chance to rewrite history and put the Buccaneers at the top on NFL conversation. Then there are games that remind some Buccaneers fans of the teams history.

This Sunday in Denver, this 2020 team can put their stamp on Buccaneers history. They can also win one for McKay. It’s time to play angry and take no prisoners. It is time to play Buc Ball.