After 11 long years, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are bringing the classic orange and white jerseys affectionately known as “Creamsicles” by fans and media alike. The colors have been some of the most recognizable in NFL history, for better or worse.

And that popularity remains today.

The return of the uniforms will most certainly bring on varying sentiments, good and bad. While many love the retro look, some will only be reminded of the feel. And the feeling, more often than not, was that of losing. The BUCS didn’t enjoy a lot of wins in the iconic colors. In the 20 years of their initial existence, the team had a .310 winning percentage. Media outside of Tampa, as well as some in the area, felt the image of the Team was soft and used it as the reason the win/loss record was as it was. Yet the color scheme and the look remained a favourite amongst most of its followers.

In ‘97, the Buccaneers looked to change the Team's identity by introducing a new uniform with a completely different look. In came the Pewter and Red combination that has since taken its own place as an iconic look. This look ushered in an era of winning and defensive dominance. The BUCS won their first Super Bowl in that one-of-a-kind color combination.

As much as colors brought the Team and its fans joy, there was still a want for the Bay Orange and White that so many had fallen in love with. In 2009, the Buccaneers reintroduced the colors in what was to be an annual Throwback Game to coincide with the new Ring Of Honor at Raymond James Stadium. The team decked out the entire stadium in Orange and White and even brought back a retro version of Bucco Bruce, the Team’s long-time mascot. The cheerleaders were in outfits that were reminiscent of the 70’s look. The crowd was given Orange t-shirts. It was a proverbial “love letter” to the long-time fans.

That planned tradition was cut short after 4 years when the NFL restricted the usage of multiple helmets in the wake of a lawsuit by former players surrounding head trauma. The Buccaneers could no longer wear their white helmets as alternates, and there was no way to continue to wear the retro uniforms.

Until now.

After 12 years of absence, the BUCS are finally set to have another Throwback Game donning an iteration of the classic Creamsicle uniforms once again. Much like the mixed feelings about the jerseys, there are varying feelings about the Throwback Games themselves. The Team doesn’t have a winning record in such games. Kind of fitting, given the uniforms involved. The BUCS are 1-3 in their Ring Of Honor games featuring the beloved Orange and White jerseys. In the 2023 season, Tampa has a chance to avenge two of their three losses in the Creamsicle uniforms.

With the new NFL rules for classic or retro jerseys, the Team can wear their new-old uniforms more than once. Obviously, the Buccaneers can put on their Throwback Game for the Ring Of Honor as they did from 2009 through 2012. They can also take the show on the road. This leads to a big question: Just who should the Buccaneers face in their retro uniforms this season?

The Buccaneers’ first Throwback game came in 2009. The Team faced a Green Packers team that was a heavy favourite even though they were just 4-3 coming into the game. Green Bay had Aaron Rodgers. It was only his second year not holding a clipboard, but the expectations were high and the media was already buzzing. Tampa’s offense was led by unproven, fresh-faced rookie QB Josh Freeman looking to make a name for himself.

The BUCS were 0-7 at the time. First-time head coach Raheem Morris pulled off a miracle win after being down 28-17 in the 4th quarter. The defense picked off Rodgers twice in the 2nd half to give the Home Team a chance. Freeman threw 2 TDs in the 4th quarter to complete the comeback.

Final Score: 38-28

It was a huge win for the Team and a great way to honor Buccaneers legend Lee Roy Selmon as he entered the newly minted Ring Of Honor.

The Buccaneers face the Packers again this season. This time in Green Bay. The situations are slightly different but could lead to some exciting headlines. The Packers have a young QB that’s been on the sideline due to an older vet hanging around and subsequently ending up in New York. Weird. Tampa has a QB looking to rebound for the third time and an unproven, fresh-faced QB looking to make a name for himself this time around. Plus, it’s a renewal of an old NFC Central rivalry.

It could make sense to see the Buccaneers break out the old unis against the first team they welcomed them back against in 2009.

Current division rival Atlanta Falcons gave the BUCS their first loss in a Thowback Game. It would be a good redemption tale to make them the first opponent to taste defeat in the Creamsicle attire.

In the second Throwback Game in Tampa, the Falcons pulled out a 28-24 win. Atlanta’s Matt Ryan had a pretty mediocre day that should have led to a loss. He went 18-36 for 205 yards. He threw 2 TDs and 2 INTs.

But Tampa’s own Josh Freeman had an equally lousy performance going 19-38 for 181 yards. He had 1 TD and 1 INT. Despite the Buccaneers dominating the time of possession and gaining more yards than Atlanta, the Falcons got the victory. Atlanta came back from a 10-point deficit in the 4th quarter with a key play being 102-yard kickoff return. The BUCS had an opportunity to take the lead back with just over two minutes left, but Freeman threw his one INT into the hands of Brent Grimes.

The loss was a heartbreaker for BUCS fans. The iconic bucket hats that filled the stands in honor Ring Of Honor inductee Rich McCay were dropped lowered in dismay. All the hope was put into the hands of a young QB after the defense had done a relatively solid job. It was a sign of things to come later.

On December 4th, 2011, the Buccaneers took on the Carolina Panthers in the 3rd-ever Ring Of Honor/Throwback game. This was the least competitive game in the series.

Carolina scored touchdowns on their first two possessions. One was an 83-yard drive while the other was a short 43 after a terrible offense series by the Buccaneers that netted -15 yards and resulted in a 47-yard punt after 3 plays.

Tampa was playing backup QB Josh Johnson rather than Josh Freeman due to injury. Carolina’s Cam Newton proved too much for the BUCS’ defense to contain. While he didn’t put up big numbers as a passer, he was a constant threat to score. Newton completed 12 of his 21 passing attempts for 204 yards and a touchdown. But he rushed for 54 yards and 3 touchdowns. His scrambling ability was enough to keep Tampa at bay in the passing game and leave just enough room and time for others to get open.

The BUCS were left to settle for FGs while Carolina came away with 5 Touchdowns. It was a frustrating game for Buccaneers fans all around.

The conditions were a little uneven due to injuries. Tampa was missing its starting QB and its best defender, Gerald McCoy. But Tampa could choose the Panthers as their target for this year’s Throwback game to get a semblance of revenge for this embarrassing 19-38 loss.

Of all the possible opponents that the Buccaneers could choose to break out the old uniforms for, there may not be a bigger or simpler case than that team from the Crescent City.

The Buccaneers’ first win came against the New Orleans Saints. It’s only right to bring the creamsicle uniforms against the sAints this season. Plus, the last time the BUCS wore the uniforms was against New Orleans. A 35-28 loss.

This was easily the most exciting and equally infuriating Throwback game for the BUCS. You couldn’t script a better start to the game for Tampa. The defense gets an interception on New Orleans’ first drive, which led to a 13-yard touchdown. The Home Team’s offense follows that ups with two consecutive long drives for touchdowns. The BUCS were up 21-7 in the 2nd Quarter.

And then it went downhill.

The offense stalled. The defense completely broke down, allowing 4 straight touchdowns by New Orleans. One of the two biggest letdown plays/series in Buccaneers’ history in this game was when QB Josh Freeman hit WR Vincent Jackson in double coverage with a 25-yard pass that Jackson took for another 70 yards only to get chased down by Malcolm Jenkins at the 5-yard line. Tampa ran the ball 3 times in a row with LeGarrette Blount and couldn’t get the ball in the end zone. On 4th down, Freeman tried to run it to the outside himself and got nowhere. Turnover on downs.

The BUCS still managed to keep it close and had a chance to tie the game in the 4th Quarter. With 2mins left and down by 7, Tampa marched 70 yards up the field. They converted on a 4th and 1 inside New Orleans’ 20 to get to the 9-yard line with 17 seconds lefts.

On 1st Down, Freeman spikes the ball to save the clock.

2nd Down, it's a pass to Tiquan Underwood. Incomplete. 11 seconds left.

3rd Down, Freeman hits Vincent Jackson in the back in the back of the end zone for a touchdown!!! But it’s not to be. Waived incomplete as Jackson didn’t get both feet in bounds before falling backward. 5 seconds left.

4th Down, Josh Freeman finds another WR, Mike Williams, in the back of the end zone for a touchdown!!!!!! But it’s waived off for illegal touching. Patrick Robinson pushed the receiver out of the end zone on the scramble, and it was ruled that Williams wasn’t allowed to touch the ball first. 5-yard penalty on Williams.

Game Over.

If that’s not a call for a revenge game, then I don’t know what is.

In a perfect world, the Buccaneers surprise its fans with multiple jerseys. A white option would be great for the road and a brand new edition to the retro look to go along with the Bay Orange/Creamsicle.

Who do you think should be the first opponent in the uniforms? Leave a comment below.