While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were preparing to make history, another group right outside the stadium was working to remind people of what history means to them. 

“It’s not an honor for them to use a chief as their mascot,” said protest organizer Stuart Flores. “ We are not a mascot, we’re human.” 

The Florida Indigenous Rights and Environmental Equality, or FIREE set up right outside of the stadium, with signs and microphones to make their voices heard. 

“We are not your mascot,” screamed another protestor. 

Flores told me that the group has protested the use of chief’s images for over 10 years. 

“We’re tired of people pretending to be something that they’re not when back in the day all they did was create genocide towards our people; now they want to be us? Enough is enough,” said Flores. 

Several Chief’s fans stopped to take pictures or share their opinion on the protest. 

“It has nothing to do with you,” yelled one fan. 

There was no resolution at the end of today’s protest but organizers say they hope today’s event gave them perspective.