Tampa VA Veterans attended The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Military Day practice

This occasion served as a unique integration of community support and therapeutic rehabilitation for our Veterans; all coordinated in preparation for the 2026 National Veterans Golden Age Games.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosted Military Day at their training camp, an event dedicated to honoring Veterans and active-duty service members. The gesture was part of the team’s ongoing outreach to the military community and included engaging meet-and-greets with players, offering attendees opportunities for personal interaction. Veterans and service members were recognized for their dedication and sacrifices, fostering a sense of community and appreciation.

Veterans were up close to watch practice drills, interact with players, and enjoy a relaxed yet meaningful atmosphere. Post-practice, Buccaneers players took time to meet the attendees, sign memorabilia, and engage in genuine conversations, ensuring every guest felt acknowledged and honored.

Selecting the Veterans and service members from rehabilitation to participate in this event was a meticulous process. Medical clearance from physicians was an essential first step to ensure participants were stable and could endure a dynamic community environment without significant medical support. For those with brain injuries, special consideration was given to their physical and cognitive endurance, as excess stimulation could lead to fatigue and safety concerns. It was also crucial to align the outing with the Veterans' personal interests and therapeutic goals, allowing them to practice newly learned or relearned skills in a real-world setting.

“The patients are completely different when you take them outside of the hospital environment,” said Evelyn Mack, Recreation Therapist.  “Marine Veteran Hunter Bell has not really spoken of guns, weapons, etc. with us but was eager to do so with Shilo Sanders!”

One poignant example was an active-duty member who recently had surgery. Despite his love for football, the medical precautions necessitated his exclusion from the event to avoid risking further injury. The hope remains that he will be able to attend a game on August 9, supported by the Buccaneers' generous ticket offer.

Our attending staff included Evelyn Mack, Recreation Therapist; Chris Pokornicki, Recreation Therapist; Jessica O'Connor, Physical Therapist; Brittany Hardin, Occupational Therapist; Bayley Maseda, Physical Therapy Resident; Allison Thompson, Occupational Therapy Fellow. This group of therapists and fellows played a crucial role in facilitating the Veterans' experience, ensuring it was both enjoyable and therapeutically beneficial. 

“The outing provided a real-world application of skills such as socialization, attention, mobility, emotional regulation, and visual function, adapting to the diverse needs of the participants,” said Evelyn Mack.

The Veterans exhibited different levels of physical and cognitive functioning. Some found challenges in navigating the terrain or managing social interactions, while others required breaks from the crowd to cope with potential PTSD triggers. The tailored support from our staff ensured each Veteran received the appropriate level of assistance to maximize the outing's therapeutic benefits.

“We had many different levels of physical and cognitive functioning with our Veterans.  Stepping over the netting to get to the field was a big challenge for some but not others.  Sitting higher on the bleachers was easy for some, but not others.  Some struggled socially,” said Evelyn Mack.  “Others needed breaks from the crowd as distraction for trigger symptoms.  We never want to over-staff an outing, but sometimes the therapeutic benefit can best be reached with more 1:1 staffing for the brain injury population.”

Overall, Military Day wasn't just an occasion to witness an NFL team in action; it was a meaningful tribute and a practical extension of our rehabilitation efforts. The collaboration between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Department of Veterans Affairs underscored the importance of community support in the healing process, offering Veterans recognition, engagement, and a sense of belonging outside the hospital setting. Through events like this, we collectively honor and support those who have served, integrating therapeutic rehabilitation with community reintegration in a heartfelt and impactful way.

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