TAMPA, Fla. — After the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 in Super Bowl LV on Sunday, local t-shirt companies went straight to the drawing board.
“We think this shirt is going to be epic,” Wayne Curtiss, owner of Smack Apparel, said.
If there’s one shirt Bucs fans are looking for, Curtiss believes he has it.
“We’ve been doing this for 23 years, we put a unique spin on all our gear,” he said.
Curtiss is a long-time Tampa Bay sports fan and was not going to miss the big game even with steep ticket prices.
“What I said to my wife and family, you know, I really like my 2011 4Runner,” he said. “My son-in-law said, what the hell. We’re going to the game.”
As the final seconds were ticking down, Bucs safety Antoine Winfield, Jr. broke up a pass intended for Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill. Then Winfield put a peace sign in the face of Hill.
“That’s got to be on a shirt,” Curtiss said. “The moment of the game when our boy Antoine Winfield, Jr. gave it back to Tyreek Hill. Epic.”
During the victory parade, Curtiss loaded up his boat and tossed hundreds of shirts to fans. Players like tight end Cam Brate and receiver Mike Evans were seen wearing Curtiss’ shirts.
“We’re from Tampa,” he said. “For me, it’s about doing this as a fan rather than a business owner.”
The shirts sell for about $25 each.
