No Buc shot: Cannons at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium to be limited at Super Bowl LV

TAMPA, Fla. — For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, playing in their home stadium for Super Bowl LV has its perks.

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However, one bit of home-field advantage will be limited when the Bucs face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. The pirate ship at Raymond James Stadium, which fires its cannons when Tampa Bay enters its opponents’ red zone inside the 20-yard line and after it scores, will be muted during Super Bowl Sunday.

Avid listeners to Tampa Bay games on the radio are familiar with play-by-play announcer Gene Deckerhoff’s ebullient “fire the cannons” call after a Buccaneers score.

But for the Super Bowl, the NFL said the cannons in the north end zone will fire only for introductions, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

However, NFL spokesperson Michael Signora told the newspaper that the cannons can be “fired long and loud” if the Bucs defeat the Chiefs.

The Buccaneers released a statement, acknowledging their tradition while accepting the NFL’s mandate.

“The firing of the cannons after big plays is a tradition that defines what it means to be a Buccaneer fan and serves as a signature element of our home game experience at Raymond James Stadium,” the club said. “However, we also acknowledge and understand the NFL’s position with regards to maintaining the integrity of a neutral site atmosphere for Super Bowl LV. While the cannons may not fire in their typical fashion, we look forward to showcasing parts of our tradition while working within the league’s guidelines.”

Cox Media Group