The 1997 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the team's 22nd in the National Football League. Having gone 6–10 season the previous season, Tampa Bay finished second in the NFC Central, and secured their first playoff berth since the strike-shortened 1982 season.
The 1997 season was notable for several reasons. The club retired their orange and white "Buccaneer Bruce" color scheme and logo, replacing it with a new more marketable and intimidating image. The brand new pewter and red uniforms featured a new "skulls and swords" logo, new fonts, and prominent end zone markings. The 1997 season would also be their final season playing in Houlihan's Stadium. Next door, the much-anticipated brand new Raymond James Stadium was under construction. It was also Ronde Barber's first season with the team.
During the regular season, the Buccaneers surprised many by starting off with a 5–0 record. By the end of the season, they had amassed a record of 10–6 and went to the playoffs for the first time in 15 years. After beating the Detroit Lions 20–10 in the Wild Card round, they lost to the eventual NFC Champions, the Green Bay Packers, 21–7 in the Divisional Playoff round.
Head coach Tony Dungy was named NFL Coach of the Year.
Read more about 1997 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Season: Playoffs
Famous quotes containing the words bay and/or season:
“Shall we now
Contaminate our fingers with base bribes,
And sell the mighty space of our large honors
For so much trash as may be grasped thus?
I had rather be a dog and bay the moon
Than such a Roman.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
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—Fred Rogers (20th century)