Tampa Bay Beef O' Brady's Livestream High School Football

TAMPA BAY, FL — While this season's high school football games may lack the usual crowded bleachers due to the coronavirus restrictions, boosters clubs are still able to cheer on their hometown teams thanks to Tampa Bay Beef O' Brady's restaurants.

Ten Beef 'O' Brady's are airing Tampa Bay high school Friday night football games live this fall while high school stadium capacities are restricted to 25 percent.

Participating Beef O' Brady's are:

• Plant City - airing Plant City High School games
• Northdale - airing Gaither High School games
• Riverview - airing Riverview High School games
• FishHawk - airing Newsome High School games
• Valrico - airing Brandon High School and Durant High School games
• Lutz - airing Steinbrenner High School games
• Citrus Park - airing Sickles High School games
• Summerfield - airing East Bay High School games
• Lake Wilderness - airing Land O' Lakes High School games
• Sun Lake - airing Sunlake High School games

Beef O’ Brady’s chief marketing officer Heather Boggs said the Friday night football watch parties are a way for fans to continue supporting high school sports.

"When it was announced that high school sports would have limited attendance, we wanted to offer a way for friends and family members who can't attend the games to root for their teams," said Boggs. "So local franchisees teamed up with high school booster clubs and local companies to livestream the games."

Boggs said the watch parties are in keeping with Beef O' Brady's origins.

When founder Jim Mellody opened the original Beef O' Brady's on Kings Avenue in Brandon in 1985, it was his intention to offer a gathering place for Brandon High School and Little League teams to celebrate their victories and commiserate their losses over a plate of chicken wings.

In the decades since, Beef O' Brady's has hosted booster club meetings, victory parties and spirit night fundraisers for generations of local athletes.

"We're just carrying on that tradition started by Jim Mellody," said Boggs.

She said Beef O' Brady's will host watch parties in reserved game rooms in the restaurants, outdoor dining areas and, in some cases, even taking the party into the restaurant parking lot.

She emphasized that 50 percent capacity mandates, social distancing and mask requirements will remain in place during the gatherings. Fans will be admitted on first-come, first-served basis.

Boggs said the first watch parties held last Friday during the kickoff of the high school football season were a hit.

"Beef O' Brady's have always been involved in youth sports," she said. "So offering to livestream games during this difficult time is a natural extension."

Fans wanting to learn more about the watch parties should contact their local Beef O' Brady's.

For a rundown of Thursday and Friday night high school football matches, check out Scorestream.