Getty The Tampa Bay Lightning gave nods to Buccaneers stars Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski during the boat parade on Monday.
The back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning gave a couple of nods to Tampa Bay Buccaneers stars Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski on Monday during the team’s championship boat parade.
Speculation for a Stanley Cup trophy toss akin to Tom Brady’s Lombardi trophy toss ensued before the parade. Tampa city personnel came ready.
“It’s their day,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said per USA Today’s Alyssa Hertel. “We are always prepared. We have divers if Stanley gets wet. We’ll get him back in short order.”
We highly advise against this, but, if any @TBLightning player attempts the @TomBrady toss tomorrow and Stanley goes overboard, our Dive Team is ready! 😅 Thank you @BeauWTSP for highlighting our team. @10TampaBay #GoBolts
The Stanley Cup social media team already humorously advised the Bucs quarterback regarding a toss — in case he had plans.
“FYI, I’m too heavy to throw, Tom Brady,” the Stanley Cup account stated. The Stanley Cup weighs 34.5 pounds while the Lombardi Trophy weighs seven pounds. Brady tossed the Lombardi Trophy off a boat following the team’s Super Bowl LV win, which drew the ire of late Lombardi silversmith Greg Groh’s daughter, Lorraine Grohs.
FYI I’m too heavy to throw, @TomBrady.
No Stanley Cup toss occurred at the parade per WSTP. The Bucs popped up a little during the parade though, including one boat with a Bucs flag, Lightning star Alex Killorn donning a Bucs jersey and Lightning head coach Jon Cooper wearing a Gronkowski shirt.
Different year, same 🔥 boat parade fit from Alex Killorn. #StanleyCup
(📷 @Akillorn19)
“Looking good Coach Coop,” Gronkowski tweeted.
Gronkowski came out to a Lightning practice in May, shooting some pucks and playing goalie. He also he posted a video of himself with the Cup around Christmas 2020 on Instagram. He congratulated the Lightning on winning back-to-back Cup titles in the post.
“Congrats to the back-to-back CHAMPS,” Gronkowski wrote. “Let’s go Champa Bay!”
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Winning Follows Brady Wherever He Goes
Brady shows support for the other professional sports franchises in his community, and he did a hype video for the Lightning during the playoff run that got the crowd going and circulated social media for weeks. The Lightning accomplished his proposed mission.
“All the Tampa Bay Lightning fans, let’s do this again Lightning,” Brady said in the hype video. “Let’s go for two people! Let’s keep Lord Stanley in the Bay, right where he belongs. Let’s get the Cup again! Go Bolts! Let’s go!”
A city’s sports success occurs when Brady is playing for that area’s NFL team, too. Boston won championships in the MLB, NBA, and NHL when Brady played for the New England Patriots. Since joining the Bucs, Tampa has two Stanley Cup titles and a World Series appearance by the Rays in 2020. The Rays could do it again as the team sits in second place for the American League East.
Congratulations Pour in From Bucs
Head coach Bruce Arians and Bucs players gave shout-outs on social media following the Lightning’s Stanley Cup-clinching win over Montreal on Wednesday.
“Stanley Cup champions,” Arians exclaimed. “Congrats Tampa Bay Lightning one hell of a series.”
Stanley cup champions!!!! Congrats @TBLightning one hell of a series #gobolts #champabay #StanleyCup
Bucs offensive lineman Ali Marpet, wide receiver Scotty Miller, and Brate attended the game, which they shared on Instagram.
Offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs congratulated the Lightning and added a short video to share the excitement.
The Stanley Cup stays in the Bay‼️‼️ LETS GOO‼️ @TBLightning
Fellow offensive lineman Ryan Jensen also tweeted “Champa Bay” followed by three exclamation points and “Let’s go Tampa Bay Lightning.”
Champa Bay!!! Let’s go @TBLightning
The Bucs will look to keep the “Champa Bay” thing going this fall when the NFL season kicks off in September.