The Buccaneers Are Officially Bringing Their Creamsicle Jerseys Back

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers creamsicle uniforms are iconic. The distinct shade of orange with the red accents and white compliments is a beautiful combination. The Bucs last played with them in 2012, but one of my fonder memories during a decade of misery was in the 2009 season with the old creamsicles. The winless Bucs were hosting the 4-3 Packers and rookie Quarterback Josh Freeman was making his first career start. Freeman led the Bucs down the field to pull ahead with a TD late in the 4th Quarter for the Bucs to secure their first win of the season.

This year, the matchup will be in mid-October against an old NFC Central rival, Detroit Lions. 

Ironically, one of the most memorable matchups between these two teams was actually the first year the Bucs changed over to their more modern logo and uniform. It was the Wild Card round in the 1997 season and the 10-6 Bucs hosted a Detroit Lions team led by 2,000 yard rusher Barry Sanders who had reeled off an insane 14 straight 100-yard games that year. In the playoff game, the Bucs kept Sanders in check, holding him to just 65 yards rushing on 18 carries. The Bucs were led by Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott, who combined for 140 yards on 29 carries.

While it's been 11 years since the Bucs played in these uniforms, the NFL had a rule about teams using a single helmet for the entire season. With the throwback Bucco Bruce helmet being white and their current helmet being pewter, they were unable to wear the classic unis. But with that rule more relaxed, we'll see this iconic combo in Week 6 in a matchup all Bucs fans and anyone with nostalgia for the old days is looking forward to.