Joe At Fan Fest
June 14th, 2009
It was an interesting day for Joe at Bucs Fan Fest. First, it was hot. But Joe’s not complaining. He would rather sweat than freeze any day. Plus, summer is beer drinking weather for Joe.
(Then again, when isn’t it beer drinking weather for Joe?)
Lot of people there, lot of fans. For the most part, Joe was slightly bored. Joe’s not an autograph guy and he hates waiting in lines. So for Joe, there wasn’t a whole lot to do. But it was a football-themed day at the CITS so Joe was OK with it.
Hey, how often does Joe get to walk the same field that Derrick Brooks once prowled?
Of course, there were the cheerleaders. The new Bucs cheerleaders! But someone must have been tipped off the Bucs that Joe was coming. The girls were in a virtual fortress. Joe’s been to the White House before (broke bread with The Gipper in fact) and Joe’s not sure security there was much tighter.
Joe wasn’t about to roast in the Florida sun for two hours waiting in line to just get a glimpse of one of the cheerleaders. Please! Of course Joe loves the ladies but he’s not a complete pervert.
The girls were secluded in a dark tent. Joe tried to get some photos but there’s no way they would come out unless he had a telescopic lens. Why, Joe got significantly closer to Raheem the Dream and even shook hands with Mark Dominik but Joe couldn’t come within 20 yards of the cheerleaders.
Joe made an appearance with his good friend and JoeBucsFan.com draft guru Justin Pawlowski during a live broadcast of his “The Blitz,” heard on WDAE-AM 620. It was just before Joe’s appearance that a very awkward yet funny moment happened.
Dominik had just finished a segment with Pawlowski and was milling about. Knowing Dominik is a graduate of the University of Kansas, Joe yelled, “Hey, Jayhawk!” The remark immediately got Dominik’s attention and he came over to shake Joe’s hand and had a few kind words.
(For the record, Joe did not go to Kansas but Joe’s first job out of college was in Kansas City.)
Seconds later, Justin had Joe put on the headphones and introduced Joe to the listening audience. When Dominik overheard Joe was on the air, let’s just say Dominik was more than startled.
Dominik was in the midst of signing autographs and when he heard Joe introduced, Dominik quickly jerked his head around and stared at Joe with his piercing blue eyes.
Though Joe noticed a very slight smirk on Dominik’s face, Joe just could feel the stinging sensation of Dominik’s laser-like stare burning two holes in Joe’s head. The last time Joe felt the heat of such a glare, Joe had offered a buxom, nubile blonde outside an upscale Georgetown nightspot to change her political views in turn for an intimate rendezvous in the wee hours of the morning.
Let’s just say it was proof to Joe that Dominik reads Joe’s musings. We both shared a chuckle when Joe told Justin and the WDAE listeners, “I think Mark Dominik’s going to come over here and punch me.”
At any rate, though Fan Fest isn’t totally Joe’s cup of tea, it’s a good chance to mingle with other Bucs fans and talk football.
That’s never a bad time and Joe thanks the Bucs for offering such an event.
Here are some photos Joe shot of the day:
Fans take a solemn moment to pay respect to the Bucs' treasured Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Joe's good friend, Justin Pawlowski, host of "The Blitz," heard on WDAE-AM 620.
Raheem the Dream talks to Justin Pawlowski during a broadcast of "The Blitz" even though the two were only 10 yards apart.
Even a Clydesdale knows that a cold Budweiser isn't safe on a hot Florida afternoon with Joe lurking.
Bucs general manager Mark Dominik listens to Justin Pawlowski make a point during a broadcast of "The Blitz."
Fan Fest gave some Bucs fans a chance to dress up for the day.
June 15th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Hello Joe
Ya know this pirate looks really cool, He is a friend of mine and it would be really cool to have him as Captain of the Pirate ship at football games.
His Pirate name is Captain Widowmaker. I know the bucs have captain fear, but this guy would look great on the pirate ship. He loves to get the crowd motivated and he loves everybody and the really cool thing is they love him. He is just a nice guy and you just don’t see people like him anymore. I’ve watched him in action he is funny and ad-libs everything
And would more than likley do this for free, or for water and or a soda.
If you would like to get in contact with him, I can help, If you would like to take him with you to any events He loves that kind of stuff. He will work for food. LOL. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Have a Blessed Day
June 15th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Hey Joe
I saw this pirate at the Fan Fest and I gotta tell ya, I watched him for a little while and then, my friends and I had to talk to this guy. Bless his heart he just simply loves the Bucs and the fans. We jokingly asked him how much they were paying him to walk around in this kind of heat, and he told us, this was his his second year dressing up for fan fest, and he just loves the buc staff and all the fans. He said he is not getting paid. Just with the smiles of people when they take pictures with him. That his dream would be to be on the pirate ship in costume for a Bucs game.
also we noticed how the kids loved him, and as hot as it was we never seen him tell anybody no for a picture.. Just from a fans point of view
all of my friends that went to fan fest and I agree with them it would be cool to see this Pirate on that ship during a game even a pre-season game. Just because he gave kids and adults alike smiles at fan fest and asked for nothing in return. And as you know all this was done in Extreme heat, I,m sure that costume he had on was almost unbearable. Maybe somebody could return that smile to him, just to say thanks.
Thank you Sophia
June 15th, 2009 at 11:27 am
Yeah, I’m sure that he’s the only other ‘pirate’ in the area that would be up for that …. ever been to Gasparilla???
June 15th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
I also saw this pirate at fanfest. I have also been to Gaspirilla. Funny though I didn’t see the Gaspirilla pirates there sweating and taking hundreds of pictures with kids. Always has to be some jerk come on here and try to lessen what someone else does. That he gave “HIS” time to do this speaks on his character. Let the pirate live his dream and let Captain Morgan walk the plank!!
P.S. My kid got an autograph from him and thought that was worth the day
sweating our butts off!!
June 15th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
I must agree. Although I know there are alot of pirates that would like to do this, he actually did go there and give his time. I have an idea. Let’s get a petition going and give it to the Bucs, and let’s get the pirate on his ship!! Nobody really believes the Bucs are going to have a good year so it’s going to be all about the entertainment.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Yeah, I think it would be great to have a crew of pirates on the ship. And I believe with all the homes games there would be plenty of pirates. I think it would be a great ideal to drafts some of these pirates as crew members. I myself seen him greet the people at the Heritage Parade in Manatee County. Him and his crew proformed well. The people loved them. As we are all there to support the Bucs.
Thank You,
Will