There's a new Hurricane blowing through Tampa Bay, and he's already tapping into the franchise's legendary past. First-round pick Reuben Bain Jr. made a powerful statement at rookie minicamp this week, honoring one of the greatest Buccaneers of all time by donning Warren Sapp's iconic No. 99 jersey.
For decades, the connection between the University of Miami and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been defined by one man: Warren Sapp. A first-round pick in 1995, Sapp went from Hurricanes standout to Pro Football Hall of Famer, anchoring the Bucs' defense and leading them to their first Super Bowl title in the 2002 season. It's a legacy that stood alone for 30 years—until now.
Fast forward to this year's draft, and the Bucs finally dipped back into the Miami pipeline, selecting edge rusher Reuben Bain Jr. with their first-round pick. The connection between Bain and Sapp runs deep, dating back to Bain's high school days at Miami Central. When Bain got the call, Sapp was one of the first to reach out.
"He was just telling me, 'This his city,' giving me his well wishes," Bain shared with reporters, reflecting on that conversation.
But Bain wanted to do more than just talk about the legend. When he arrived for Tampa's rookie minicamp, he paid tribute in the most visible way possible—wearing Sapp's No. 99 jersey. And not just any jersey: this was a vintage black Reebok throwback from the late 1990s, a style the Bucs never actually wore in games but was sold exclusively in stores during Sapp's prime. Bain even wore it backwards, letting Sapp's name take center stage as he declared, "Welcome to the Krewe."
It's a full-circle moment for a young player who grew up watching his cousin, former Bucs defensive back Carlton Davis III, help Tampa Bay win its second Super Bowl in 2020. Bain was just 16 years old in the stands at Raymond James Stadium that day, witnessing history. Now, he's stepping onto the same field with a chance to write his own chapter.
What kind of player Bain will become remains to be seen, but he's already showing he understands the weight of the legacy he's carrying. From one Hurricane to another, the torch has been passed—and Bain is ready to make it his own.