Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Talks Bucs Fandom, 2026 Season

DeSantis discusses his lifelong support for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and his hopes for the team's upcoming season.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 4:20pm

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A cubist, geometric illustration depicting a Buccaneers football game, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and form capturing the raw energy and movement of the sport.Governor DeSantis' unwavering support for the Buccaneers reflects the team's deep connection to the Tampa Bay community.Dunedin Today

In a recent interview, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis opened up about his longtime fandom for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. DeSantis, who grew up in the nearby town of Dunedin, recounted pleading with the NFL to allow a full stadium for the Bucs' Super Bowl victory five years ago. Despite the team's collapse last season, DeSantis remains optimistic about their prospects for 2026, though he acknowledged the loss of star receiver Mike Evans as a 'gut punch'.

Why it matters

DeSantis' public embrace of the Buccaneers reflects the team's deep connection to the local community in Tampa Bay. As a high-profile political figure, DeSantis' continued support for the Bucs highlights the team's cultural significance and the passion of their fanbase, even during challenging seasons.

The details

During an interview on The Rondé Barber Show, DeSantis discussed his lifelong fandom for the Buccaneers. He recounted pleading with the NFL to allow a full stadium for the Bucs' Super Bowl victory five years ago, telling the league there would be 100,000 people partying in the streets of Ybor City after the win. DeSantis also shared his frustration with the team's collapse last season, though he remains uncertain about their prospects for 2026. The governor acknowledged the 'gut punch' of losing star receiver Mike Evans, but said the Bucs could 'sputter bad or... get it together and have a productive season'.

  • Five years ago, the Buccaneers won the Super Bowl.
  • Last season, the Buccaneers experienced a collapse.

The players

Ron DeSantis

The Governor of Florida, who has been a lifelong fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Mike Evans

The star wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whose departure DeSantis described as a 'gut punch'.

Rondé Barber

The former Buccaneers player who interviewed DeSantis on his show, The Rondé Barber Show.

Baker Mayfield

The NFL quarterback who played in the Valspar Championship Pro-Am event with DeSantis, Barber, and Jon Gruden.

Jon Gruden

The former NFL head coach who played in the Valspar Championship Pro-Am event with DeSantis, Barber, and Baker Mayfield.

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What they’re saying

“'Oh, I'm a Bucs fan. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh no, no. I've never [hid] that. No, no, no. I grew up a Bucs fan. I am a Bucs fan.'”

— Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida

“'Last year was frustrating because I thought they were going to go deep into the playoffs. You know, I thought Baker was the MVP, all this stuff. And then kind of the wheels came off. Now they were winning a lot of close games early; so it wasn't like they were blowing people out. So I kind of feel like there's a range of possibilities [for the 2026 season]. I think they could sputter bad or I think they could get it together and have a productive season.'”

— Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida

“'Losing Mike [Evans], though, that's kind of a gut punch.'”

— Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida

What’s next

As the 2026 NFL season approaches, fans and analysts will be closely watching the Buccaneers to see if they can bounce back from their disappointing 2025 campaign. Governor DeSantis' comments suggest he remains hopeful about the team's future, though the loss of star receiver Mike Evans will be a significant challenge to overcome.

The takeaway

Ron DeSantis' unwavering support for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, even during tough seasons, underscores the deep emotional connection between the team and its local fanbase. Despite the team's struggles, DeSantis' optimism about their 2026 prospects reflects the enduring passion of Bucs fans and the team's cultural significance in the Tampa Bay region.