Bucs suiteholder Dick Vitale today at One Buc Palace.

It was awesome, baby, with a capital-A!

The mascot for Tampa Bay sports, Basketball Hall of Famer and Lakewood Ranch resident Dick Vitale, was at One Buc Palace this afternoon. What a PTPer!

Vitale, who owns/leases a suite at the Den of Depression, announced the Bucs’ fourth round pick. So he stopped in the media workroom to chat afterwards.

Vitale, who loves to Twitter and post photos on Instagram, has been spotted with America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, a few times out and about, namely at Lightning playoff games at the Ice Palace.

So Joe asked him how he got to know Jameis and Vitale, as only he can do, went overboard.

“You know, he is a great kid,” Vitale said. “I have communicated with him quite a bit since he has been here. I don’t see this kid that people were talking about [negatively]. I judge people the way they treat me. I will tell you this: He looks in great shape, man. He looks solid. He told me he lost a lot of weight. He has solidified his body.”

In fact, Vitale said he first met Jameis last year at a Lightning playoff game. The two exchanged digits and are constantly in contact, Vitale said.

Vitale, a monster Notre Dame fan (his daughters went there), watched his Fighting Irish lose to Jameis and the Seminoles live at Tallahassee and was so impressed with Jameis, hoped he would come to the Bucs but had his doubts.

“I thought they might have leaned [to draft Marcus Mariota] because of all the problems and reading all the stuff you read [about Jameis],” Vitale said. “And [Mariota] was pretty good too, so I wasn’t sure to be honest with you.

“Now, I am very happy they got him. He is a way nicer kid than I ever expected. Really!”

Vitale gave the local scribes an insight into the Jameis not in the public eye. It was a touching story involving Vitale’s other passion, his foundation to help find a cure for pediatric cancer.

“We developed a relationship,” Vitale said. Jameis “came to my gala, and he was unbelievable with our cancer kids. He went out of his way – he asked me, ‘Dick, I’d like to spend a few minutes with the kids.’ There were no cameras there or nothing.”

The hoops icon also had high praise for how nice of a man left tackle Donovan Smith is. Vitale also met Smith at a Lightning playoff game.

Vitale noted Jameis is a shining example of what the Bucs will soon be.

“The Bucs are heading in the right direction!”

Bay-bee!