Todd Bowles isn’t usually one to wear his heart on his sleeve — or anywhere else, for that matter.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach is well known for his calm demeanor and stoicism, which he has proven over more than a decade in the NFL. It’s rare to see him get upset in any way.
He took a different approach Wednesday. Asked at a news conference about his feelings about Sunday’s season opener against the Washington Commanders, Bowles let it all out.
“This is exciting,” Bowles proclaimed, clapping his hands on the podium.
He and the Bucs press corps then burst out laughing, everyone in on the joke.
“It’s a meme, coach,” an off-camera reporter replied as Bowles continued to smile.
Bowles then continued his response.
“You always get butterflies in your stomach when you go there,” he continued. “I mean, it’s opening day of the NFL.”
Laughter continued to flow, both from Bowles and members of the media in attendance.
It was a rare moment of public emotional candor from the Bucs coach, indicative of the excitement that accompanies the start of a new season for the NFL’s 32 teams, the media that cover them and their fans. Few moments are more hopeful for NFL teams than the moments leading up to Opening Day.
While unusual, Wednesday wasn’t the first time we’ve seen Bowles let loose. He let out a similar cry during a press conference in 2017 when he was the head coach of the New York Jets.
The reason for this incident? The journalists had no more questions to ask him.
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