TAMPA, Fla. — Of the many offseason dates that bring Bucs players and coaches to the AdventHealth Training Center, Thursday's "Cut and Color Funds the Cure" event is one the most important and most rewarding.
The event features players, coaches and front office staff members having their heads or facial hair shaved or colored red by children to raise awareness for youth fighting pediatric cancer.
Since starting this campaign, the Bucs have raised a total of $750,000 through the last decade to the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Tampa.
"Some of these kids came straight from the hospital...and over the last 10 years, I've learned more from these kids and their families than words can say," Bucs COO Brian Ford said.
Pro Bowlers Mike Evans and Antoine Winfield Jr. were among the many current players who got their hair spray-painted. Former Bucs tight end Rob Gronkowski had his head shaved and painted. Legendary players Mike Alstott, Martin Gramatica, Ronde Barber and Dexter Jackson also attended the event.
"Despite what everybody's going through, it's good to have [the kids] out here around us, so they can just see us and really be out here and enjoy this moment," Winfield Jr. said.
"This started when I was a rookie. This is a great cause, a great thing...helping a lot of people out," Evans said.
Although most of the children in attendance were experiencing this event for the first time, others have made a yearly appearance. That includes rising high school sophomore Joshua Fisher who is now 10 years in remission.
"There are so many people out there that need this help and [the Bucs] use this money to help them," he said.
The Bucs begin mandatory minicamp next week at the AdventHealth Training Center.