TAMPA, Fla. — A few very important fans will be in the stands at Raymond James Stadium as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Philadelphia Eagles during Monday night's Wild Card matchup — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s family.
The Bucs said during the Monday night's game, Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King and Yolanda Renee King will not only attend the game but serve as honorary Buccaneers' team captains and participate in the game's coin toss.
According to the Bucs, this is the first time that the King family has joined an official commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at an NFL game.
All of this comes as the NFL says it "deepened" its commitment to celebrate Dr. King's legacy during the Wild Card weekend. Included in this endeavor is a five-year commitment to "Realizing the Dream," a platform created by Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King and Yolanda Renee King. The "Realizing the Dream" initiative aims to "unite and uplift communities" throughout America by "calling for 100 million hours of service by the 100th anniversary of Dr. King's birth." You can get more information about "Realizing the Dream" here.
“Having the King family in attendance to celebrate the remarkable legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on this special evening is an honor and a privilege,” Buccaneers Co-Owner Darcie Glazer Kassewitz said in a statement. “The work being done by the Martin Luther King III Foundation is truly inspirational and aligns with the Buccaneers' social justice mission to effect meaningful and positive change through purposeful dialog and impactful programs.”
The Bucs said Monday night's game will honor Dr. King's legacy through video tributes. Additionally, the songs "Lift Every Voice and Sing," "I Can See Clearly Now" and "Way Ove in Beulah Land" will be sung by the Bethune Cookman University Concert Chorale during halftime.
It's fitting this historic moment takes place in Tampa at a stadium that has seen many historic firsts. During the 2020 NFL season, Raymond James Stadium served as the backdrop for the first NFL game officiated by an all-Black officiating crew. That same year, the Buccaneers were recognized as having the most diverse coaching staff with Black coaches in all four coordinator positions and two women in full-time coaching positions. Todd Bowles, who was defensive coordinator for the Bucs, became the team's head coach the following season.
Then, at Super Bowl LV in 2021, not only were the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the first NFL team to play the Super Bowl at their home stadium, but they were the first to win, too.
10 Tampa Bay investigative reporter Emerald Morrow took a deep dive into Dr. King's time here in Florida, showcasing how his time spent in the Sunshine State helped pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964. You can read about his groundbreaking work and legacy and watch 10 Tampa Bay's special "A King's Dream" by clicking here.