TAMPA, Fla. — It’s one of the most underrated but very important positions in football.
The punter of a team is tasked with doing his absolute best to pin the opposition deep into their own territory to make their drive harder to execute.
Some punters may have trouble doing that, but Jake Camarda makes it look easy.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers punter was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 2 and was most recently awarded the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September.
His highlight reels in the NFL contain a season-saving play last year against the Carolina Panthers in Week 2. The ball was fumbled on a punt play, but the 24-year-old was able to use his athleticism to pick up the ball, scramble away from defenders and punt the ball away from danger.
This year, he upped that play by kicking a 74-yard punt against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3 – which tied for the longest by any kicker in the NFL and also matched the longest punts in Buccaneers franchise history.
After doing all of this, Camarda still remains humble.
“I enjoy anytime we win, not necessarily any big play by me or anything like that," he said. "If we can get a win as a team that's what I like most."
His reason for putting the team first before his own accomplishments comes down to one reason: faith.
Camarda said he thanks God for everything he has given him up to this point in his life, both on and off the field.
"I credit everything I do to my faith. It's hands down the most important thing in my life. Putting God first in your life and letting everything else take care of itself is kind of the mantra that I try to live by," Camarda said.
Bucs' Jake Camarda in action this season
He shared that he recently got engaged with his girlfriend – a moment that he described as "nerve wrecking."
On top of that, he continues to receive a lot of support from his family, friends and his now-fiancée ever since he entered the league. All things that a player like him needs to adapt to the NFL.
"I have a tremendous family, I love them all to death," Camarda said. "My fiancée has been awesome and a rock. She's always been there for me."
This impact has also contributed to taking his game to the next level.
Ever since Camarda entered the NFL and was drafted by the Bucs in 2022, he has quickly turned into one of the best players in his position.
Although he said he tries his best to not look into that, he does acknowledge it. But once again, he lets his commitment to winning for the team take the wheel.
"I just try to do the best I can for this team," Camarda said. "Whatever that ends up looking like it is what it ends up looking like. [I] just go out there, play and praise God for whatever happens."
The 24-year-old mentioned that his future goals may not align with being named to the Pro Bowl, but rather helping the Bucs win their division and make it back to the Super Bowl.
One thing Camarda is not shying away from is being able to wear the prestige Creamsicle jerseys this weekend.
This will be the first time the Bucs are going to wear the original, orange-ish uniforms in more than a decade (2012), and the team said the distinctive color scheme serves as the centerpiece of the franchise's focus on honoring the deep roots of its almost 50-year history.
The uniforms will sport orange, red and white as primary colors – along with the celebrated "Bucco Bruce" logo on the helmets.
And the revival of the iconic jerseys isn't just random – it's said to be part of a larger celebration of the club as a nearly 50-year-old institution in the Tampa Bay area.
Although Camarda doesn't know too much of the team's history with the Creamsicle uniforms, he admits there is a special feeling in being able to play in them.
"It's going to be exciting. It's always cool getting to wear something from the past. I know they were worn a long time ago and a lot of people around Tampa really like them and have been wanting us to wear them for a while."
Fans who attend the game in October will also see a "transformed" Raymond James Stadium to pay homage to the team's original playing arena — the Tampa Stadium.
Fans can get their hands on a Creamsicle jersey at shop.buccaneers.com or at the Buccaneers Team Store at Raymond James Stadium. The store is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Click here to check out the dedicated Creamsicle homepage.
After moving back the time slot earlier this month, kickoff for Tampa Bay's game against Detroit is now scheduled at 4:25 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15. For ticket information, click here.