Sports
Buccaneers Super Bowl Champions Honored for Their Service at Ryan Nece Foundation’s Morning Huddle
TAMPA BAY, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – Super Bowl Champion Ryan Nece spent plenty of time in the huddle during his playing career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Recently, he brought his own Morning Huddle presented by Suncoast Credit Union to a crowd of hundreds at Armature Works. The event honored several of his former teammates and current Buccaneers, as well as raised money for the Ryan Nece Foundation.
“It’s an honor and it’s a privilege to be in a huddle with great men and I’ve had a chance to do that a number of times over the years,” Nece said. I had an opportunity to huddle up with great people in the community and get a chance to hear from some elite athletes Lavonte David, Chris Godwin, Dexter Jackson, and Martin Gramatica, and hear what it takes to be successful. In short, a really powerful day.
Photo: Todd Grasley/Florida National News.
Guests were treated to breakfast and a welcoming introduction by Ryan Nece Foundation CEO Melissa Neeley, who explained the organization’s mission and purpose, which is “to create opportunities for teens to embrace the power of giving through volunteerism and [our] inspirational leadership program; and empower teens to become leaders and impact giving in their communities.”
Photo: Todd Grasley/Florida National News.
After a pair of student spotlights and a brief introduction of the panelists (see above), Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ reporter Casey Phillips moderated the roundtable discussion that started off by asking the athletes about their thoughts on leadership.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers team reporter Casey Phillips moderates a panel discussion with veteran and current Buccaneers Super Bowl Champions Dexter Gramatica, Lavonte David, and Chris Godwin. Photo: Todd Grasley/Florida National News.
“You don’t have to be in the front to lead,” said Super Bowl XXXVII MVP Dexter Jackson. “You can also lead from the back.”
“Anyone can be a leader, just be yourself and don’t be something you aren’t,” added current wide receiver Chris Godwin.
As for what made their respective Super Bowl champion teams so special there were several consistent factors among the group.
“Unity and family were the keys,” said Gramatica. “Everyone loved each other. We played next to each other, but we went to battle for each other. To have those types of leaders taught us to be professionals.”
Hard work, accountability, and consistency were key for Godwin.
“We all worked hard from the beginning but just because we worked hard didn’t mean anything, that wasn’t enough,” he noted. “We wanted to change the culture to a winning mentality, at first we couldn’t gel and had to address our accountability and consistency.”
For their efforts in the community, David, Godwin, Jackson, and Gramatica received the prestigious Paragon Award from the foundation.
“We don’t give this award out lightly and recognize the men and women that embrace leadership, lean into service, and that is elite at what they do,” said Nece. “We try to make sure we acknowledge those people in our community because we need more of them. All four of those men got that award today because they are all doing amazing things to help others.”
While Nece and his foundation honored those recipients, hundreds in the room were there to support his cause as well.
“I’ve had the chance to win a Super Bowl and that is a highlight of my career, but there is nothing more powerful than when another human being says thank you,” he said. “That’s what the power of giving is all about and for our organization to be doing this for 16 years and to be able to help others, and most importantly educate young minds through our Student Service Program, about how they can too embrace the power of giving, is really important.”
For more information and to support the Ryan Nece Foundation visit ryannecefoundation.org.
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Todd Grasley is a sports reporter for Florida National News Tampa. | sports@floridanationalnews.com
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10) lost to the Houston Texans (8-5) 23-20, eliminating the Jags from the playoffs. Today’s game marked the Jaguars’ return to the field after a week 12 bye. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence started the game after missing the last two with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder, but left the game late in the second quarter after suffering a concussion in a heated moment between the two AFC South rivals.
QB Trevor Lawrence (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)
The first quarter set the tone for today’s defensive battle, with no scoring by either team. Texans’ K Ka’imi Fairbairn was the first to put points on the scoreboard with a 53 yard field goal early in the second quarter. Fairbairn later added a 30 yard field goal to put the Texans ahead 6-0. A few plays later, QB Trevor Lawrence had to be taken off the field in a cart, after a rough helmet-to-helmet hit by Texans’ LB Azeez Al-Shaair. Al-Shaair and Jaguars’ CB Jarrian Jones were both ejected after the ensuing brawl between the teams. Lawrence was ruled out for the remainder of the game with a concussion, so QB Mac Jones entered the game to take his place. On that same drive, K Cam Little kicked a 33 yard field goal, to leave the Jaguars trailing 6-3 at halftime.
QB Mac Jones (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)
Little added a 30 yard field goal early in the third quarter, to tie the game at 6-6, extending his streak to 15 consecutive field goals made, the longest by a rookie in Jaguars’ franchise history. The Texans’ next drive ended with a 7 yard touchdown run by RB Joe Mixon and extra point by Fairbairn, putting Houston up 13-6. Fairbairn kicked a 28 yard field goal late in the third quarter, extending their lead to 16-6.
Early in the fourth quarter, Little missed a 55 yard field goal attempt, ending his franchise rookie streak at 15 consecutive field goals made. The Texans scored on a 22 yard pass by QB C.J. Stroud to TE Dalton Schultz, followed by Fairbairn’s XP, extending their lead to 23-6. Jaguars TE Evan Engram joined Jeremy Shockey and George Kittle as the only three tight ends in NFL history to record at least 40 receptions in each of their first eight seasons. Soon after, the Jaguars added a 22 yard touchdown pass by Jones to WR Parker Washington. A failed two point conversion attempt left the Jags down 23-12. Jones later connected with WR Brian Thomas Jr. for a 6 yard touchdown pass, tying Thomas for first place in receiving touchdowns by a rookie in franchise history (six). A two point conversion narrowed the deficit to 23-20. But the Texans were able to run out the clock to seal their victory, and knock the Jags out of the postseason.
During today’s game, players, coaches, and staff wore customized cleats and sneakers in support of various charitable organizations that they support, as part of the NFL’s “My Clause My Cleats” campaign. In all, more than fifty charitable causes were represented, including youth health and wellness, cancer research, and social justice.
Mac Jones finished with 235 yards and two TDs. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars’ rushing with 46 yards. Parker Washington was the leading receiver with 103 yards and 1 TD. Today’s attendance was 62,588.
The Jaguars head to Tennessee to face their AFC South rival Titans on Sunday, 12/8. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. The Jaguars’ next home game will be against the New York Jets on Sunday, 12/15 at 1:00 p.m. Be sure to follow www.FloridaSportsChannel.com and www.FloridaNationalNews.comfor more.
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