>> IT’S THE 50TH SEASON FOR THE TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AND A FORT MYERS RESIDENT IS BEING CELEBRATED FOR HIS ROLE AS A KEY FOUNDER OF THE TEAM. TONIGHT. IT’S YOUR POSITIVELY GULF COAST AS A MEMBER OF THE ORGANIZATION, THE TAMPA JAYCEES, THEY’LL MARKHAM SPEARHEADED THE CAMPAIGN TO BRING NFL GAMES TO TAMPA. IT STARTED WITH A 1969EXHIBITION GAME BETWEEN THE WASHINGTON REDSKINS AT THE TIME AND THE ATLANTA FALCONS. THE GAME DREW 42,000 ATTENDEES TO TAMPA, NEARLY FILLINGTHE STADIUM. HIS EFFORTS PROVED THE CITY’S POTENTIAL TO SUPPORT AN NFL FRANCHISE ULTIMATELY HELPING THE BUCS BE FOUNDE NOW, LIVES AT THE PRESERVE OF FORT
Fort Myers resident honored for role in founding Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Updated: 11:21 PM EDT Sep 24, 2025
A Fort Myers resident was celebrated for his role as a key founder of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.As a member of the networking organization, the Tampa Jaycees, Bill Marcum spearheaded the campaign to bring NFL games to Tampa.It started with a 1969 exhibition game between the Washington Redskins and the Atlanta Falcons. The game drew 42,000 attendees to Tampa, nearly filling the stadium to capacity. His efforts demonstrated the city’s potential to support an NFL franchise, ultimately helping secure the Buccaneers’ founding. “I think it’s been a wonderful ride,” Marcum said.Now, Marcum lives at the Preserve of Fort Myers. On Friday, the assisted living community hosted a special event to celebrate him as the Bucs celebrate their 50th season.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
FORT MYERS, Fla. —
A Fort Myers resident was celebrated for his role as a key founder of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
As a member of the networking organization, the Tampa Jaycees, Bill Marcum spearheaded the campaign to bring NFL games to Tampa.
It started with a 1969 exhibition game between the Washington Redskins and the Atlanta Falcons. The game drew 42,000 attendees to Tampa, nearly filling the stadium to capacity.
His efforts demonstrated the city’s potential to support an NFL franchise, ultimately helping secure the Buccaneers’ founding.
“I think it’s been a wonderful ride,” Marcum said.
Now, Marcum lives at the Preserve of Fort Myers. On Friday, the assisted living community hosted a special event to celebrate him as the Bucs celebrate their 50th season.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.