5 Myths About The Stick Carriers
August 24th, 2017
By now, most of you have heard about the Stick Carriers, the exploding new fan movement for hardcore Buccaneers fans that put about 2,000 extra fans in the training camp stands on “Takeover” day 2 1/2 weeks ago. It’s real, strong and organized, and Joe has been around it since Day 1, but there are serious misconceptions out there. Here’s a breakdown:
Myth No. 1 – Stick Carriers are just a bunch of dudes who want an excuse to get drunk while they wear Bucs gear and pretend they’re cool. TRUTH! There are female Stick Carriers, child Stick Carriers and plenty who don’t yearn to get wasted and lit. Many Stick Carriers are accomplished, respected professionals. That’s all been proven true at a wild April draft party, at the Training Camp Takeover (which actually was G-rated), and at a bash for the preseason opener.
Myth No. 2 – Stick Carriers is just a gimmick for Justin Pawlowski to make money on his wildly popular podcast, Bucs Uncensored. TRUTH! First, there is no membership fee to be a Stick Carrier and their never will be. Pawlowski has a thriving non-media career and Bucs Uncensored is just his hobby and passion. Sure, the podcast makes a few bucks, but it also takes over 50 hours per month to produce with its famous Bucs-fan takes included. The Stick Carrier movement was hatched organically through the podcast after Dirk Koetter ordered the Bucs to “speak softly and carry a big motherf**ck’n stick” in December. Pawlowski said Koetter’s words doubled as a call to arms for Bucs fans everywhere to stand up, be heard, stop accepting negative BS from media and become the best damn fan base in the NFL. … Don’t like Pawlowski and/or Bucs Uncensored? Blame Joe. A year ago Joe insisted Pawlowski go uncensored and R-rated here and let loose his unmatched Bucs passion, knowledge and love.
Myth No. 3 – The Bucs organization and team officials hate Bucs Uncensored and they’re embarrassed by the actions and implications of the Stick Carriers. TRUTH! Dirk Koetter went out of his way to endorse the Stick Carriers back in June during an exclusive interview on the Ira Kaufman Podcast. Koetter even detailed exactly why he is “extremely fired up about the Stick Carriers.” General manager Jason Licht has given his blessing publicly, and the Bucs organization has shown Joe and Pawlowski that they are eager to accommodate the movement and help it grow. Joe has even talked to Team Glazer about the Stick Carriers! Also, Bucs players have shared their appreciation of the Stick Carriers, and several player family members are active participants. Close relatives of DeSean Jackson, Jameis Winston and Ali Marpet are included, among others.
Myth No. 4 – Other Bucs fan groups and podcasters hate the Stick Carriers and think Pawlowski and Joe are giant, self-serving blowhards. TRUTH! That probably was true last year, but now, the organized fan groups — including What The Buc? — have come around after realizing the Stick Carriers, Pawlowski and Joe are completely serious about living a life filled with Bucs passion and creating a badass fan base. Pawlowski has formed a tailgate partnership with What The Buc?, with a goal of raising money for charity as a primary focus. The movement and motives are pure. Pawlowski was raised a diehard Bucs fan from before he could walk, and that shined through during his many years in local radio, including as a host on the Buccaneers Radio Network. As for Joe, well, most still probably consider Joe a blubbering blowhard. That’s unlikely to change — and neither is Joe’s commitment to covering the Bucs like no fan base has ever seen.
Myth No. 5 – Stick Carriers only sit in Section 119 at Raymond James Stadium. TRUTH! Stick Carriers sit everywhere. There are no barriers. But Stick Carriers will have detailed pregame rituals together at home games — before the nonstop game cheering begins. … And it all starts Saturday night. Details are here via their Twitter account.
Enjoy the video below. Joe has more to say about the Stick Carriers. This was just a little primer leading into the first home game for the movement. … You can also find the Stick Carriers easily on Facebook.
August 24th, 2017 at 7:43 pm
Sweet Baby Moses
August 24th, 2017 at 7:47 pm
So no frat like initiation’s?
August 24th, 2017 at 7:50 pm
Man I did not realize there was that much jealousy. But I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.
August 24th, 2017 at 8:01 pm
Why we’re stick carriers acknowledged by name on Hard Knocks?
Anyone know why the phins v Eagles game isn’t on as listed in NFL network?
August 24th, 2017 at 8:19 pm
Love the movement but the name stick carriers? For my liking I wish it had more of Buccaneer/pirate/eye patch/cannon/ship theme. U know bucs theme. Stick carriers will seem confusing to other
August 24th, 2017 at 8:30 pm
So what’s going to happen at Ray Jay after the Browns take a knee during the National Anthem?
August 24th, 2017 at 8:34 pm
I’m as big a Bucs fan as they come and yes I am a member of the FB page, but admittedly I get turned off by a number of the posts. IMO there is a lot of ignorance and while I am not a prude, the language is a bit juvenile. That being said I am certainly not against the premise and wish them well!
August 24th, 2017 at 8:45 pm
I with you Chris. I can’t listen to the podcast because I use earbuds and the yelling at the end of every call is painful.
August 24th, 2017 at 8:50 pm
As a longtime listener of Justin, and long time reader of JBF, this is and has bjen a match made in heaven. Good call addressing these points.
August 24th, 2017 at 8:55 pm
I love Justin and the entire movement…..but I’m hoping we get more football talk on the pod now that we’re in season. Right now it’s a podcast about the podcast
August 24th, 2017 at 9:17 pm
@Creamsicle
pretty much exactly why i stopped listening as well.
August 24th, 2017 at 9:24 pm
If you’re a die hard Bucs fan this is for you … take it or leave it… the podcast may not be for you, but when you attend an event with the #StickCarriers you remember it forever! I love it, a bunch of rabid, die hard fans that just want the Bucs to win and have an awesome game day experience! Thank you Joes and Justin!
August 24th, 2017 at 9:28 pm
“Stick Carriers are just a bunch of dudes who want an excuse to get drunk while they wear Bucs gear and pretend they’re cool.”
So what is wrong with that? That describes half the activities we guys are involved in; though as we get older, we either have cut back on the drinking somewhat or we are seriously in need of rehab.
August 24th, 2017 at 9:54 pm
I don’t particularly care for Justin’s podcast myself, but I do appreciate any effort to put forth any form of Bucs related media. I also support any movement whose sole purpose is to bring fans together in support of their team. Almost my whole life I have been made to feel like an outcast for supporting our hometown team. However, I can feel things are about change, and bandwagon fans will start jumping on by the thousands. That’s great, because there is a lot of empty space on this ship! Go bucs!
August 24th, 2017 at 10:00 pm
I love Bucs Uncensored. Admittedly some of the “Bucs takes” are nonsense and ill informed, but it’s the same $hit we see on here. A lot of garbage spewing from people’s mouths mixed in with a few sensible commenters.
August 24th, 2017 at 10:11 pm
I think these are made up myths that Joe/Justin are using to sell themselves. I haven’t heard any of these “claims” anywhere. And i put in enough time online to know what’s going on with the Buccaneers.
LOL. Joe hears/sees these myths all the time. –Joe
August 24th, 2017 at 10:14 pm
I’m a #StickCarrier and I’m a female!! I have a potty mouth and I love this movement!
I’ve been on Twitter for awhile now and saw the birth of this amazing movement..
It’s here to stay and stay for good!!
I don’t drink alcohol..never have in my life and yet I can hang around drunks and feel like a dude!!
Woohooo!!! Justin has finally found a way to unite us diehards!!
August 24th, 2017 at 10:15 pm
Ohh!
Don’t forget Jameis has family members sitting with the Stick Carriers!! The Bucs players love us!!
August 24th, 2017 at 10:25 pm
You don’t have to listen to the podcast or be a member of a page to be one of us… just be the best buc fan you can be, cheer for your team instead of b****ing about bs out of your control… it’s a new day in Tampa bay and there isn’t any room for negatives… stop selling your passes and get on board, raise hell just like us(you don’t have to be drunk, I rarely drink except for the very few I enjoy while watching jameis make ridiculous plays) but most of all get behind the Bucs that’s what the movement is all about… WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE GAME CHANGERS TOO
August 24th, 2017 at 10:28 pm
Proud member of the Stick Carrier from South Dakota. I’d like to think that as BUCS fans we can ALL get along no matter what u want to call yourself. We all have ONE GOAL IN MIND and that’s to get to the promise land and support our team and fan base. Love everyone that supports the BUCS. Go BUCS ☠️💥☠️
August 24th, 2017 at 11:04 pm
Basically it’s about being loud and proud. Which is all I’ve been bitching about for the last 5-6 years. The lack of loudness coming from OUR fans is drowned out by superior loudness from opposing fans. IN OUR STADIUM. It truly does make me sick when I go to games and see the lack of caring for our own team by our own fans.
We’ve even had some come on here and say um yah I hate it when you guys stand up and an impede my view of the field. Can’t just sit and watch the game?
Seriously folks. They’ve been on here. My answer to them has always been the same and that is…can’t you just stay HOME? Mofo’s I left my seats during the JAX game a couple years ago. Why? Cause everyone around me (Bucs fans) were sitting on their GD hands when our D was on the field. Jax’s D takes the field and YES Jags fans were louder than ours… effing…. JAGS FANS!!!!!
Not Bears, not Pats fans. Jags fans in OUR stadium.
True story people. True story. So just stay home if you plan on spending most of your time by the concessions and walking the concourse not even paying one iota of attention to what’s going on, on the field. I’ve seen you people and I wonder why you’re even there.
Be loud Bucs fans, cause YOU do matter!!!
August 24th, 2017 at 11:30 pm
Joe doth protest too much, methinks.
August 24th, 2017 at 11:51 pm
As others mentioned, Justin needs to stop Bannoning himself and talk about football more often. The podcasts could stand for a little variety. Still, I’m happy to see the movement grow, as I do believe it’s good for the team and organization.
August 25th, 2017 at 1:48 am
The stick carrier gimmick, as I heard it last year when it was launching, was really fanboyish and very lame – BUT anything that brings some energy to the stadium is a good thing. No I didn’t go the Seahawks game which everyone says was like the late 90s/early 2000s – but the last games I have gone to have been flat out dull. The crowd was like attending a Rays game, meaning they were completely silent and the stadium was like 35% full (OK that would be a great day for the Rays, but you know what I mean). I had my GF with me and we went to some Lightning games around the same time and she said she didn’t want to go to anymore Bucs games as they were just boring. I explained to her that the Bucs early in RayJay’s life was like a Lightning playoff game x100 and she refused to believe it. Anywho point being any group that does anything to bring life into the crowd is a good thing at this point even if I can’t personally stand the fanboy stuff, or even worse, the fake edgy stuff. Not saying it is that anymore, but early on, to me, that’s how it came off. But who cares what I think, just showup and be loud and harass all the fans from other teams, that should be a basic part of any group of fans.
August 25th, 2017 at 2:07 am
@ Rod Munch:
I think you’re sitting in the wrong section! Or maybe you’re in the Club seats. I’m a season ticket holder and in my opinion there is nothing like seeing a NFL game in person. They’re all fun to me. I was also skeptical of the Stick Carriers at first but only because some of us never left. But the more Buc fans the merrier. So I say welcome aboard and welcome back because you’re going to be put to the test at the Home Opener vs the Stinking Chicago Bears.
August 25th, 2017 at 2:11 am
To hell with some stick carriers. Just WIN Bucs. Thats all you gotta do. The rest…will take care of itself. Like Sapp use to say, Knock somebody’s teeth out and run’em over! JUST WIN. And the stick will carry itself.
August 25th, 2017 at 5:41 am
What’s with all the political bull crap? don’t we have enough of that crap in our country and division now! Some of you are saying how Justin doesn’t talk enough about Bucs and more about his pod cast, have you listen to some of the radio crap talk on 620 in the noon time. You want to talk about nonsense. If you don’t like the podcast don’t listen to it. I’m not all into the foul language, but I love the passion that Justin and the stick carriers bring, it fires me up. All Bucs fan should be. I’m very passionate about the Bucs so I guess that makes me a stick carrier too. so in the words of the godfather speak softly and carry a big MF stick! Buc fan, let’s come together as one And unite , Go Bucs !
August 25th, 2017 at 6:16 am
Hopefully this gets bigger than Sticks of Fire for the Lightning. The Bucs have needed something like this for a while. That being said I much prefer Ira’s podcast.
August 25th, 2017 at 6:17 am
I’d rather carry a stick than wave a towel.
August 25th, 2017 at 6:34 am
The reemergence of Buc1987, I missed how you got banned, must have been something, haven’t you been here like 10 years?
August 25th, 2017 at 7:10 am
Dont you guys see? Sure he doesnt talk x’s and o’s all the time. So what? Who cares? The podcast is different from every other other podcast and fills a needed purpose. What he is doing is exactly what this fan base needs and has yearned for. Remember last year when people wanted to start the warchant? I was in favor of it and looking back, yeah that was a bit lame, BUT it just shows that this fan base was begging for what Justin is doing organizing. And the players LOVE it!!!
August 25th, 2017 at 7:42 am
I am also a stick carrier and female! What is wrong with what Justin is trying to do? He is passionate about his team and is sick and tired of the lack of a home field advantage!!!!! I am sick and tired of being in that stadium and looking across to the visitors sidelines and seeing THE WHOLE LOWER BOWL filled with opposing teams fan!!! That is unacceptable! Do you see that at any other stadium in the NFL.? NO!!! The Raiders fans came in bus loads! The Seahawks fans came in bus loads! TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE! If this Stick Carrier fan base can prevent that i say LET’s DO IT!!! The Seahawks have their 12 why the hell can’t we? Stop with the negativity about the stick carriers!!!! If you want to take back Ray Jay like I do and you haven’t joined the movement than why don’t you just PICK UP A STICK and get on the ship!!!!!!
August 25th, 2017 at 7:47 am
The Commish isn’t a lead guitar…he’s rhythm. IMO the pod isn’t entertaining. Best part is when he played highlights from his old am show with Jim L. Now that was a good show. Word?
August 25th, 2017 at 7:57 am
Lamarcus Says:
August 24th, 2017 at 8:19 pm
Stick carriers will seem confusing to others.
Not if you hit them on the head a few times with the big motherf**king stick.
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mark2001 Says:
August 24th, 2017 at 9:28 pm
“as we get older, we either have cut back on the drinking somewhat or we are seriously in need of rehab.
If you can’t remember what you had for dinner the previous night then you probably should consider it, otherwise your still good.
August 25th, 2017 at 9:06 am
Laura
Word! I enjoyed Justin more on the radio…constraints and all. But I do not mind those who enjoy his latest incarnation. Different strokes for different folks.
Did I just type that. Gawd I’m old. LOL
I think Justin and Joe’s hearts are in the right place. I do not believe either feel they need to lead this movement forever. In fact I think they hope that now that it’s been given birth it grows organically and takes off on it’s own without their continuing efforts.
August 25th, 2017 at 9:30 am
Looks like “Fetch” is going to happen in Tampa. All the worst, ugly, loud, uneducated, trashy, no class Tamp-ons… Been loud and proud Bucsn fan since ’76 but will never id with these boobs.
August 25th, 2017 at 9:32 am
The mentally weak cannot be a stick carrier
August 25th, 2017 at 9:40 am
I don’t see why Joe feels the need to even justify anything. It’s a movement to get the 12th man more involved. Screw what some idiots say because they didn’t think of it first.
August 25th, 2017 at 9:44 am
The Bucsnation crew are not stick carriers
August 25th, 2017 at 10:22 am
Wow! It’s great to see the band back together 87, Clod, BK, Pick and everyone else too. I think lifeofabuc is my spirit animal.
Joe you guys rock! I love JBF!!!!
August 25th, 2017 at 11:36 am
Buc1987 Says:
August 24th, 2017 at 11:04 pm
Basically it’s about being loud and proud. Which is all I’ve been bitching about for the last 5-6 years. The lack of loudness coming from OUR fans is drowned out by superior loudness from opposing fans. IN OUR STADIUM. It truly does make me sick when I go to games and see the lack of caring for our own team by our own fans.
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YUP. I’ve probably spent just as much time yelling at fellow Bucs fans at home games to get loud, as I have yelling at the opposing teams.
The home crowd has been pathetic for a long, long time. But this is finally starting to change! Thats what the Stick Carrier movement is all about! I don’t really care about the podcast personally, but the movement is real.
I can’t believe BUcs fans would actually be offended or bothered by Stick Carriers, but then again ppl get offended over everything…
August 25th, 2017 at 11:47 am
We will need the Stick Carriers to lead the new (remade from 1979) chant of:
B-U-C C-A-N E-E-R-S GO BUCs! B-U-C C-A-N E-E-R-S GO BUCs!
B-U-C C-A-N E-E-R-S GO BUCs!
We still need to do “Tampa” (East side) and “Bay” (West Side) but the new one will drown out the loonies who start that “Who Dat” and other gibberish.
August 25th, 2017 at 1:44 pm
TampaTown – I always get club seats when I go to games, but the energy has nothing to do with that – I had club seats going back to the 99 playoff game against the Redskins and it was electric. I used to sit with the peasants before that at the old stadium in those $100 season ticket seats and would constantly taunt and yell at other teams fans and it was a lot of fun just being a drunken dope yelling at cheeseheads and explaining where the term ‘Packer’ came from in graphic detail. Anyhow that was an awesome time – but now I’m a man of means and I want luxury – and seriously the vibe you get from the stadium doesn’t change in the club section – if the stadium is dead it’s dead.
August 25th, 2017 at 2:38 pm
Do the stick careriers stand for the anthem?