Central Florida News
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sign QB Jake Browning, DL A’Shawn Robinson; Tender Contract to RB Sean Tucker
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced Friday that the team has signed free-agent quarterback Jake Browning and defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson. The club also tendered a contract to running back Sean Tucker, keeping the young back in Tampa Bay.
BUCCANEERS ADD QUARTERBACK DEPTH WITH JAKE BROWNING
Browning (6-foot-2, 209 pounds) has appeared in 17 career NFL games, including 10 starts, totaling 2,707 passing yards and 18 touchdown passes with the Cincinnati Bengals. He has also added 164 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns during his three NFL seasons.
Since 2023, Browning’s 22 total touchdowns rank as the most among quarterbacks with 10 or fewer starts.
The Folsom, California, native originally entered the NFL as a college free agent with the Minnesota Vikings following the 2019 NFL Draft. He played four collegiate seasons at the University of Washington, appearing in 53 games and completing 958 of 1,483 passes (64.6%) for 12,296 yards and 94 touchdowns.
Browning set school and Pac-12 records with 39 career wins as a starting quarterback and finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting as a sophomore in 2016.
A’SHAWN ROBINSON BRINGS VETERAN PRESENCE TO DEFENSIVE LINE
Robinson (6-3, 320) enters his 11th NFL season after appearing in 143 career games with the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants and Carolina Panthers.
The veteran defensive lineman has recorded 500 total tackles, including 37 tackles for loss, along with 37 quarterback hits, 23 passes defended and 15 sacks. Robinson has also forced six fumbles and returned an interception for a touchdown.
Since entering the league in 2016, Robinson ranks eighth among NFL defensive linemen in total tackles. He posted one of his most productive seasons in 2024 with Carolina, setting career highs with 43 tackles, eight quarterback hits and 5.5 sacks.
Robinson was originally selected in the second round (No. 46 overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft by Detroit after a standout career at the University of Alabama, where he helped the Crimson Tide win two SEC championships and the 2015 national title while earning consensus All-American honors.
He was also part of the Los Angeles Rams defense that won Super Bowl LVI during the 2021 season.
BUCCANEERS TENDER CONTRACT TO RUNNING BACK SEAN TUCKER
Tucker (5-10, 205) has appeared in 45 career games for Tampa Bay, rushing 151 times for 651 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 4.3 yards per carry. He has also caught 19 passes for 152 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
During the 2025 season, Tucker became one of only three NFL running backs to record at least 100 rushing yards, 30 receiving yards and three total touchdowns in a single game, accomplishing the feat in Week 11 against the Buffalo Bills.
He also earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors in Week 6 of the 2024 season after producing 192 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns against the New Orleans Saints.
An undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft, Tucker played collegiately at Syracuse University, where he rushed for 3,182 yards and 27 touchdowns across three seasons. His 1,496 rushing yards in 2021 set Syracuse’s single-season program record.
Central Florida News
Commissioner Uribe Announces New Date for Hispanic Heritage Festival Due to Weather
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Commissioner Uribe announced that the Hispanic Heritage Festival has been rescheduled due to weather conditions. The event will now take place Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, from 9 a.m. to noon at Cypress Grove Park, 290 Holden Ave., Orlando.
The festival will celebrate the rich history, cultures, traditions and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities through live music, dance performances, food and community resources.
Scheduled highlights include:
- Live music by youth orchestra The Nucleus Orchestral.
- Dance performances featuring Maria Saavedra of FusionFest with Huellas de Colombia, Unidos for Ecuador and Mexico Dansa.
- Food from Zaza.
- Community resources from 311 and other participants.
Join Commissioner Uribe and the community for a morning celebrating Hispanic and Latino heritage.
NEW DATE: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026
TIME: 9 a.m. to noon
LOCATION: Cypress Grove Park
ADDRESS: 290 Holden Ave., Orlando, FL 32839
New team will debut at the Yuengling Center in summer 2027 as fans help shape the franchise’s identity
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — UPSHOT League officially announced the arrival of professional women’s basketball in Tampa Bay, with the new franchise scheduled to begin play at the Yuengling Center in summer 2027.
UPSHOT Tampa branding unveiled as the league prepares for its inaugural 2027 season in Tampa Bay. Image courtesy of UPSHOT Tampa.
Owner Morgan Busby introduced the vision behind bringing elite women’s basketball to the region, while Garland Cooper was announced as team president. UPSHOT Deputy Commissioner Taj McWilliams-Franklin also joined the launch alongside local leaders as the organization emphasized community involvement, fan experience and competitive excellence as core parts of the franchise.
FAN INVOLVEMENT: The Tampa franchise does not yet have an official team name. Fans are being invited to submit ideas and take part in helping shape the team’s identity ahead of its inaugural season. Season-ticket deposits and founding membership opportunities are also available.
UPSHOT Tampa President Garland Cooper speaks with media following the announcement of Tampa Bay’s new professional women’s basketball franchise. Photo courtesy of UPSHOT Tampa.
Community outreach began immediately with a “Shoe a Day” initiative supporting young athletes in the Tampa Bay area. During media availability, Cooper also spoke about the importance of giving young girls an opportunity to see what is possible through professional women’s sports.
Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise and Advisory Board Chair Kathleen Shanahan were among the community leaders in attendance, highlighting the potential economic and social impact of adding another professional sports organization to the region.
INAUGURAL SEASON: UPSHOT Tampa is scheduled to tip off at the Yuengling Center in summer 2027, adding professional women’s basketball to an established Tampa Bay sports market that already includes the Buccaneers, Lightning and Rays.
The team name, branding and additional franchise details are expected to be announced as the organization continues building toward its first season.
– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
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