Oh man, does Florida have two NFL teams... actually it does! After having lived my whole life in this sunshine state, I can proudly say yes — the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Jacksonville Jaguars! How cool is that?
Just thinking about it makes me jump up and down for joy. The NFL presence is so strong in this state. From tailgate parties to watching the games together with friends and family, it’s amazing to join in the fun and excitement of the teams’ home games during the season.
One of my favorite things to do in the fall is attending a game with a group of friends. We usually pile into a car and hit the road for either Jacksonville or Tampa. It’s an awesome time of lively music, fun-filled tailgate activities, and non-stop cheering and clapping throughout the game.
It never fails to give me goosebumps when I hear the roar of the crowd as both teams run onto the field. It certainly lifts my spirits too. Plus, the energy of the players is infectious – I feel just as pumped up as they do!
The energy of the crowd is intensifying, too. Everyone is shouting their favorite players’ names and trying to outdo each other. The chants are deafening. Best of all, it’s there that I get to witness some awesome plays that make the whole stadium hold its breath.
My favorite is the one when the ball is sailing toward the end zone and there’s a mad rush of people trying to catch it. That’s when the crowd’s intensity is at its peak and I just love it. And when the team scores a touchdown, everyone loses their minds with cheer and joy.
It’s a great way to spend an afternoon watching the teams fight for the championship. And then competing franchises like the Dolphins in Miami and the Buccaneers in Tampa (my favorite team) have added even more excitement to the mix. There’s nothing like it when the home team makes a touchdown and the entire stadium erupts into an unbridled celebration.
I’m so proud to be from a state where I can go out and enjoy a game of football, and cheer on my favorite team. I can’t help but get teary-eyed when I hear the national anthem playing at the start of each game. There’s something so special about getting to experience this moment and believing in the team’s journey.
I am thankful that Florida not only has two NFL teams, but that they are world-class. Each team has had success in the past and looks to keep it up in the future. When you’re in the stands watching games, it can galvanize the team to perform at their best which in turn, puts a lot of us Florida fans on cloud nine.