Hurricane Irma: Football Returns To Tampa This Weekend

TAMPA, FL – After a rare football-free September weekend in Florida thanks to Hurricane Irma, two of Tampa Bay’s football teams will come back to the gridiron this weekend.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced Tuesday morning they will be able to host the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 16 at 1 p.m. Eastern at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The Bucs’ regular-season opener against the Miami Dolphins the previous Sunday was cancelled as Hurricane Irma approached the Florida peninsula. (For more hurricane news or local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Tampa Patch. Click here to find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

“Hosting the game is important to us, as Tampa Bay has been through a lot over the past few days,” said Buccaneers CEO Brian Ford on Buccaneers.com. “We look forward to providing our fans and the entire region an opportunity to come together this Sunday to kick off our 2017 season.”

Watch: Florida Governor: A Long Road To Recovery After Irma

Likewise, USF cancelled its conference opener against UConn on Saturday, Sept. 9. While the game was scheduled to take place in Storrs, Conn., there was concern whether the team could safely travel and return before Hurricane Irma reached the Tampa Bay area.

USF announced Tuesday the Bulls were resuming practice ahead of its matchup against Illinois, scheduled for Friday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. Eastern, also at Raymond James Stadium.

USF vs. Illinois Football: Everything You Need To Know

“After consulting with university leadership and the Tampa Sports Authority, we are confident that Friday’s game can proceed safely as scheduled without impacting the recovery efforts,” said Mark Harlan, USF’s Director of Athletics.

The NFL has rescheduled the Bucs and Dolphins matchup for Sunday, Nov. 19, when both teams had their bye week. The American Athletic Conference has yet to determine if the USF/UConn game will be rescheduled.

Image via Hillsborough County, Florida Government Facebook page