TAMPA, Fla. — Thousands of fans packed into Raymond James Stadium to see the Bucs kick off on home turf.
Fans partied inside and outside the stadium as the Bucs took home the first win of the season.
“Our first party is the tailgate and the second party is in there, the stadium,” Bucs’ fan Michael Seminick said.
Seminick said he's been tailgating outside the stadium for the last decade.
“Each year, people come in and give us stuff and donate everything. Usually, there's sentimental value,” Seminick said.
Over the years, he said he's met people from all over the world and some have become friends.
“These guys are tailgates that we've met throughout the years, and they're stuck with us,” Seminick said.
Fans like Christian Larson said there's no other krewe they would want to be part of.
“I was born and raised here. I grew up watching the Bucs with my dad since I can remember. It's just in our blood,” Larson said.
Larson is a season ticket holder and to start off the season, he brought his cousin Joe Coaxum to his first Bucs game.
“I left for the military right out of high school, and I just recently moved back,” Coaxum said.
This season opener isn't just special to Coaxum, but Parker Schmid as well.
“I wanted to go Bucs colors, so I got the hat and the shirt to kind of go with it,” Schmid said.
Schmid said she usually watches the game at home, but this year they're starting the season off differently.
“I'm looking forward to seeing how it all plays out. Not on a TV but actually seeing it in person,” Schmid said.
The electric atmosphere surrounded Schmid and her family as the Bucs came out on top.
“It's just nice to be a Buccaneer,” Schmid said.