Buccaneers fans flood Tampa streets to celebrate historic home game Super Bowl win

TAMPA, Fla. - From SoHo to RayJay, Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans were elated after their team handily beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV in Tampa. 

Fans took to the streets along South Howard Avenue, standing on cars, dancing outside of bars, and flying the Bucs flag high. 

Signs that fans were proud to be part of a new, Tom Brady-led era for their team were everywhere. Signs of an ongoing pandemic, however, were scarce. Many maskless fans crowded the streets of South Tampa. 

Shortly after the game ended, at least one man was reportedly arrested for climbing a tree along South Howard.

Even some Kansas City fans got in on the antics downtown.

One Chiefs fan was spotted standing on top of a vehicle as other fans filled E Cass Street. Another reveler had climbed a light post and was standing on top of a lighted pedestrian signal. 

According to FOX 13's Jennifer Holton, a HART public transportation bus was overtaken by overexcited fans, but no one was hurt and it was over within minutes.

Tampa police also said e-scooter services were shutting down, but the reason was unclear. 

Outside Raymond James Stadium, the scene was a bit different as fans left the game. Many wore masks; 7,500 of them were vaccinated healthcare workers who were invited by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to attend the game. 

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor was one of the first outside Raymond James to congratulate the team publicly on its big win. Castor said on FOX 13 News there would be a celebration of some kind and that there would be a "Tom Brady Day" named at some point. 

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was not on-hand to witness the historic win, but he congratulated the team via Twitter.

Earlier this week, DeSantis predicted the Bucs would win, but said the score would be much higher than the actual final score -- 31-9.

And one fan started his celebration early, but it ended just as quickly -- in handcuffs. The shirtless man was tackled when he ran onto the field during a TV commercial break in the fourth quarter.

In all, a Tampa police spokersperson said, the joint law enforcement task force made the following misdemeanor arrests and ejections during and after the game; all also involved alcohol: 

Misdemeanor arrests:

• Fraud: 1
• Traffic violation: 1
• Trespassing: 2

Ejections:

• For disturbance: 1
• For trespassing: 1
• For other reasons: 2

Two additional warnings were issued. There were no felony arrests.

Other items of note from police:

• One child was reported missing, but quickly located and reunited with family.
• 15 drones were reported; one was seized
• Two suspicious packages and one unattended item were checked and cleared.
• One unfounded bomb threat was made, this remains an active investigation.
• And, "of course, the pink-dressed streaker."

The game kicked off with a spectacular flyover, with a B-52 Stratofortress, a B1-B Lancer, and the B-2 Spirit ‘stealth’ bomber flying over the field at the end of the National Anthem.

The NFL’s neutral-site rules kept the pirate ship cannons quiet during the game, but fans will likely hear those booms in the coming days as celebrations continue. 

Since the first Super Bowl era in 1967, no team has played the big game in its home stadium, which had a limited capacity capped at 22,000 fans due to the COVID pandemic.

"So many teams don't get a chance because they don't get the Super Bowl in their home stadium. It was obviously a goal of ours to start this season," head coach Bruce Arians said after the NFC Championship. "But getting to the Super Bowl wasn't what our goal is. Our goal is to win it."

There were fireworks over Raymond James Stadium, of course, but there were also celebrations just down Interstate 4 at Disney World, too. Walt Disney World in Orlando tweeted video of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom lighting up for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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