Super Bowl Win a Family Affair For Bucs Cheerleader From Enfield

TAMPA, FL — When Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski connected on a pair of first-half touchdown passes in Super Bowl LV Sunday, former Enfield resident and longtime New England Patriots fan Perry Goldaper was ecstatic that two of his favorite team's all-time standouts were again shining on the world's biggest stage. However, he was not there necessarily to see the famed duo, but rather to see his daughter Lindsey perform as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleading squad.

Unfortunately, the proud dad did not actually get to see his little girl in action, as restrictions brought on by the coronavirus pandemic placed the Bucs' cheerleaders almost directly below his seat.

"She was directly below us, over the tunnels where the players come out, and I was up in God's country," he told Patch Monday, shortly after Tampa Bay polished off the Kansas City Chiefs by a 31-9 margin, giving the franchise its first Super Bowl championship in 18 years.

Fourteen members of the cheer team performed during the game, with seven members, including Lindsey, cheering during the first half, and seven others taking over after halftime. During the second half, Lindsey joined her dad in the stands until about two minutes remained in the contest, when she joined her teammates in anticipation of the victory celebration.

"We took a bus to the stadium, and made a few pre-game appearances," the 2009 Fermi High School graduate told Patch in an interview Monday afternoon. "It was very surreal being there, with the flyover and the national anthem. We got to experience the end all together, with all the confetti and fireworks. That was a really nice moment to reflect on our whole season coming full circle."

The historic game marked the first Super Bowl where a team played in its home stadium. Despite the official neutrality of the set-up, Lindsey said it was certainly one-sided, not only on the field, but in the crowd.

"It was our home stadium, and there was by far a majority of Bucs fans there," she said. "It was really like a Bucs game elevated. That's what it felt like for us. It really hasn't hit me yet that we won."

Growing up in a Patriots household, she was truly elated to see the Brady-Gronkowski combination put Tampa Bay up 7-3 on an 8-yard scoring pass near the end of the first quarter, then extend the lead to 14-3 on a 17-yard scoring strike with 6:05 remaining before halftime.

"Gronk didn't have a big scoring season this year, but that partnership came through last night for sure," she said. "That first touchdown really set the tone. The city of Tampa had not felt this energy in a long time, but with the Tampa Bay Lightning winning the Stanley Cup in 2020 and now this - this is something everyone is just over the moon about. Now we're waiting for information about a parade, and we hear [the cheerleaders] may get Super Bowl rings."

Debbie Goldaper, Lindsey's mom, could not attend, so Perry made the 25-mile trek to Raymond James Stadium alone, and upon arrival, experienced the enormity of the event.

"Parking was [ridiculous], it's normally 25 bucks but I paid $194," he said. "They were bussing people in from the airport. They really take over - every bit of land is controlled by the NFL."

He did not offer an opinion on the halftime performance by The Weeknd, which has received mixed reviews across social media.

"I sat there for a few minutes, then decided to go for a beer and a pretzel and stretch my legs," he laughed, adding that the foray to the concession stand cost him $22. "When I got back, it was pretty much over."

Elise Norris, Lindsey's older sister, was also unable to attend, but excitedly watched on television.

"After the last few seasons attending some of the Bucs games, mainly to watch my sister on the sidelines, I can't say enough how proud I am of her chasing her dreams," she told Patch. "Especially with what they went through this season - dancing in masks, in the Florida heat during a pandemic - and yet being able to experience putting on her Bucs uniform one more time at the Super Bowl is amazing. She is certainly an inspiration to many of her dance students, myself and our family. Can't wait to get back to Ray Jay Stadium to watch her perform again!"

Concluding her third season on the squad on such a high note, Lindsey was asked if she will return for a fourth campaign.

"I'm still undecided, but it's going to be hard not to, especially if Brady and Gronk put in another year," she responded. "I would love to see things get back to normal; our organization did a great job with minimal COVID. It's very exciting, and I'm so thankful for the opportunity.

"If I do decide to do it again, I know it's something I would not regret."

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