Tampa Bay Spokesman, Chris Godwin
March 12th, 2025
New Chamber of Commerce president?
It’s not totally unusual to hear this from Bucs players, or players of other teams, when they decide to possibly pass up more cash from another club.
They like it here.
For Bucs receiver Chris Godwin, the Delaware native referred to Tampa as “home” for him and his wife, who have been together since they were in high school.
“Me and Mariah got here when we were just kids,” Godwin said yesterday at One Buc Palace. “We were just out of college at 20 years old. We didn’t know a ton about Tampa but I think we quickly found out that this was a place that we were going to be able to call home.
“Over the eight years since then, we’ve met a ton of people, we’ve got to work with a lot of really, really great people that have made our experience so so much better. I think when it comes down to making a tough decision like this, I think those are some of the things that come top of mind.
“It’s family, it’s relationships, it’s being where you want to be [and] being where people want you. I couldn’t be happier to be coming back. We love Tampa, we love it here.”
It’s one reason why Baker Mayfield decided to stick around. Like Godwin, when Mayfield signed with the Bucs, he knew very little about Tampa. The area quickly grew on him.
It’s the same with Mike Evans, though he still maintains a residence in Texas not far from his hometown of Galveston.
It’s also the same with big stars like former Bucs foot-rubbing tight end, Rob Gronkowski. He lives in Tampa.
There are all sorts of examples of athletes staying in the area. The Bucs are lucky a big selling point for players to stay with the Bucs is the Tampa Bay area.
No amount of cash can buy that.
March 12th, 2025 at 1:12 am
I love Tampa too
March 12th, 2025 at 1:22 am
The traffic’s not so great though.
March 12th, 2025 at 1:43 am
So stoked that Chris is coming back. Great person. Get CB, ILB and Edge first 5 picks.
March 12th, 2025 at 2:23 am
Loved the press conference, very emotional.
Tampa is Home. God Bless Chris and his family
March 12th, 2025 at 3:22 am
Fantastic area with no state tax. I always want to believe having a winning tradition that could attract free agents to this area a little bit but when you look at Carlton Davis signing with New England and Miles Garrett re-signing with Cleveland… It seems most still prioritize the big payday, unfortunately
March 12th, 2025 at 6:43 am
Meh. I moved away 30 years ago. OTOH, riding my 63 year old death trap motorcycle down there from VA next week. Lovely place in the spring, and THEN there’s Cuban food
March 12th, 2025 at 8:18 am
Let us not kid ourselves. Location and liking where you are at is just one slice of the proverbial ‘pie’ so to speak. The bigger slice of the pie or the whole pie is the money.
March 12th, 2025 at 8:25 am
I think it’s more than just the weather too. I think something with the culture and vibe of the city may play a part. We get big city events and perks, without the big city tension.
It’s not small town hospitality, but it’s not the “alone in a crowded street” vibe either.
March 12th, 2025 at 8:28 am
@bucsfaninPhoenix
Friendly reminder: Godwin turned down reportedly $20M more to go to the Patriots. The lack of state income tax won’t make up for even $10M.
March 12th, 2025 at 8:30 am
@David
I don’t blame those other players for doing that, but how cool is it that we have a team culture and city that makes players think twice about the pros and cons of leaving.
March 12th, 2025 at 8:31 am
It’s a pretty awesome place to be!
March 12th, 2025 at 8:33 am
Winning culture
March 12th, 2025 at 12:41 pm
Ownership should take all those contract savings, since players love the area/people, and lower tix/concession prices for residents as a thank you to the hospitable environment the locals create that enable them to sign players on the “cheap.” 🤣🤣
March 12th, 2025 at 1:15 pm
No state income tax is a big incentive as well.
March 12th, 2025 at 1:27 pm
gp Says:
March 12th, 2025 at 1:22 am
The traffic’s not so great though.
……
I mean… have you seen traffic in LA? 8 lanes of gridlock in both directions?
Downtown Atlanta?
San Francisco?
New York?
Could Tampa have better traffic? Sure. But we’re far better off here than others are elsewhere — and it ain’t even close.
March 12th, 2025 at 1:40 pm
Tampa is my home away from home. Love the area. I lived there for 11 years before moving back to the west coast, but I always look forward to visiting Tampa whenever possible.
March 12th, 2025 at 2:02 pm
Long time east central Floridian married to a cracker (FL native and not considered an insult) is me. I hate the environmental degradation caused by over development and pollution. Lots of nice people live here though. The Hispanic influence is a plus, especially in the food department. You also have to add in the Caribbean spice. I do not like the hurricane season, but climate change affects the whole world, not just one area.
March 12th, 2025 at 2:05 pm
Born and raised here with no desire to ever leave. I’m 44. Go BUCS!!!
March 12th, 2025 at 2:23 pm
Orlando is horrific.
Chicago makes you just want to run your car off an overpass. Chicago is so bad that in many suburbs between 3-7 p.m. you just don’t get behind a wheel unless it was an emergency.
Los Angeles is really bad. The 405 just crawls.
Tampa traffic (not saying it is good) is Sumter County when compared to Orlando, Chicago or Los Angeles.
March 12th, 2025 at 9:21 pm
I miss Tampa all the time. Love where I’m at but love me some Tampa as well