Hugh Culverhouse and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

From 1976 until 1994, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost far more games than they won. The Bucs’ status as a sporting punch line belied the fact that they were led by arguably the most important owner of that era. Known as the “Vice-Commissioner,” Hugh F. Culverhouse, Sr., wielded his financial acumen as a weapon, keeping other NFL owners in line through the economic downturn of the 1980s, two work stoppages, and a multimillion dollar lawsuit from a rival league. Culverhouse’s near–Dickensian frugality also led, directly and indirectly, to the Steve Young–Joe Montana quarterback controversy; Doug Williams’ triumph in Super Bowl XXII; and the largest fourth-quarter collapse in NFL history. Over two dozen interviews with Culverhouse’s allies and adversaries inform this thorough and balanced chronicle of the man and his team.

Denis M. Crawford holds a PhD in American Studies, teaches at Youngstown State University, and is managing editor for The Coffin Corner, the official magazine of the Professional Football Researchers Association. He is an honorary member of the Bucs UK, the largest American football fan club in the United Kingdom and a 2010 inductee to the Bucs UK Hall of Fame.

Denis M. Crawford
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 261
Bibliographic Info: 13 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2011
pISBN: 978-0-7864-6516-3
eISBN: 978-0-7864-8737-0
Imprint: McFarland

Foreword by Hugh F. Culverhouse, Jr.      1

Preface      5

Introduction      7

1. “You Just Bought a Lawsuit!”      15

2. “We’re Here for One Reason Only!”      28

3. Walking Conflict of Interest      41

4. Strike One      57

5. The Curse of Doug Williams      78

6. Battling with Bandit- Ball      98

7. Bo Knows No      118

8. The Snow Bowl      132

9. Building a Dominant Team in the Other Bay Area      144

10. What Is a Buc Worth? Three Quarters!      161

11. Strike Two: The B- Bucs      181

12. Broadcast History Made at Tampa Stadium      200

13. Left at the Altar in the End      215

Epilogue      229

Chapter Notes      239

Bibliography      248

Index      253