TAMPA, Fla. — Nothing like a good cause to bring two competitive organizations together.

Before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions face off on the football field, former players and current staff members gathered at the Feeding Tampa Bay warehouse to do some good.

What You Need To Know

  •  Former players and current staff member from the Tampa Bay Bucs and Detroit Lions volunteered at Feeding Tampa Bay

  •  They bagged potatoes that will go to needy families

  •  Feeding Tampa Bay serves 10 counties in the Tampa Bay area, serving 92 million meals a year

They packed bags full of potatoes. Bags that will go to families in need.

“Football’s great, but helping the community at the end of the day is what we do,” former offensive lineman Ali Marpet said.

Marpet was one of several Tampa Bay alums to lend a hand and he was joined in the brotherhood of giving by several former Detroit players who live in the Tampa Bay Area.

Tampa Bay and Detroit have a storied history. Back in the day, back in the Black and Blue Division days, these two teams faced off against each other in the NFC Central race. But on this day, it’s about working together to help those in need.

“We’re a family off the field, but then on Sunday, we’re going to compete for a win,” former kicker Martin Gramatica said. “But off the field, we can all get along and do some great things for the community.”

Gramatica rarely missed on the football field. And he had similar skills bagging potatoes. When Martin got the call asking for volunteers, he knew he had to answer. And so did so many others. It’s that level of commitment to giving back that Feeding Tampa Bay CEO and President Thomas Mantz hopes rubs off on others. His organization tries to defeat hunger in 10 Bay Area counties serving 92 million meals a year. And they could use all the help they can get.

“I think what all of have in common, no matter whether you’re an NFL star or the star of your own home, it’s that you want your community to be better,” Mantz said. “And a great way to make your community better is to volunteer.”

This weekend, the Bucs brought back the creamsicle orange uniforms and their original mascot, Bucco Bruce. It was a nod to the past and for those that wore the orange with pride, seeing it all over Tampa Bay brought back great memories.

“It’s a part of the history of the Buccaneers and we were all a part of it,” former tight end Jerry Bell said. “It’s kind of nice to keep seeing it come back every once in a while because we were the true colors.”