Thousands of Bucs fans took to the streets around Tampa on Sunday night in open defiance of Covid restrictions to celebrate their team’s unprecedented home-field Super Bowl win.
As the night wore on, police eventually used pepper spray to control the crowds as drunken revelers blocked intersections, climbed trees and street lights, and took down street signs.
Almost none of the thousands-strong crowd could be seen wearing masks or socially distancing, despite health officials warning the Super Bowl could quickly turn into a super-spreader event if precautions weren’t followed.
Waving Tampa Bay Buccaneers and American flags, fans hugged and screamed and sang and ran between cars stuck on the streets for several hours, ignoring warnings about social distancing amid the COVID pandemic.
Fans were seen climbing over vehicles, streetlights and the marquees of stores.
Cars beeped their horns and the luxury yachts that had been docked all weekend at the marinas that dot downtown responded with blasts of their loud fog horns.
It came after Tom Brady led the team to its second Super Bowl win – the first in 18 years – on Sunday night, beating defending champions the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9.
Hundreds of Bucs fans descended on Tampa on Sunday night to celebrate their Super Bowl win
![Crowds took control of several major intersections after the Super Bowl win](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/06/39012954-9235477-Crowds_took_control_of_several_major_intersections_after_the_Sup-a-40_1612764771804.jpg)
Crowds took control of several major intersections after the Super Bowl win
![The nation's top health officials sounded the alarm this week about the Super Bowl being a potential superspreader event](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/06/39012928-9235477-The_nation_s_top_health_officials_sounded_the_alarm_this_week_ab-a-59_1612764772219.jpg)
The nation’s top health officials sounded the alarm this week about the Super Bowl being a potential superspreader event
![Many revelers were seen without masks, in disregard of strict COVID restrictions](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/06/39012966-9235477-Many_revelers_were_seen_without_masks_in_disregard_of_strict_COV-a-61_1612764772226.jpg)
Many revelers were seen without masks, in disregard of strict COVID restrictions
![Fans take to the streets to celebrate the Super Bowl win in downtown Tampa, many not taking COVID-19 precautions](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/09/39012956-9235477-Fans_take_to_the_streets_to_celebrate_the_Super_Bowl_win_in_down-a-2_1612776923052.jpg)
Fans take to the streets to celebrate the Super Bowl win in downtown Tampa, many not taking COVID-19 precautions
![Police appeared at intersections to allow traffic to move freely and to direct fans to the sidewalks](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/06/39013802-9235477-image-a-30_1612766606043.jpg)
Police appeared at intersections to allow traffic to move freely and to direct fans to the sidewalks
![Fans started swarming police, leading cops back into their cars, while some revelers took down street signs](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/06/39012918-9235477-Fans_started_swarmed_police_to_force_them_back_into_their_cars_a-a-62_1612764772229.jpg)
Fans started swarming police, leading cops back into their cars, while some revelers took down street signs
![Fans hugged and screamed and sang and ran between cars stuck on the streets for several hours](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/06/39012962-9235477-Fans_hugged_and_screamed_and_sang_and_ran_between_cars_stuck_on_-a-49_1612764771979.jpg)
Fans hugged and screamed and sang and ran between cars stuck on the streets for several hours
![Cars beeped their horns and the luxury yachts that had been docked all weekend at the marinas that dot downtown responded with blasts of their loud fog horns](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/06/39012974-9235477-Cars_beeped_their_horns_and_the_luxury_yachts_that_have_been_doc-a-50_1612764771980.jpg)
Cars beeped their horns and the luxury yachts that had been docked all weekend at the marinas that dot downtown responded with blasts of their loud fog horns
![Tampa officials had warned of fines of up to $500 for violators of local health guidelines](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/06/39012926-9235477-Tampa_officials_had_warned_of_fines_of_up_to_500_for_violators_o-a-48_1612764771972.jpg)
Tampa officials had warned of fines of up to $500 for violators of local health guidelines
![Fans take over the streets removing signs and barriers to celebrate Tampa Bay's Super Bowl win](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/06/39012932-9235477-Fans_take_over_the_streets_removing_signs_and_barriers_to_celebr-a-57_1612764772193.jpg)
Fans take over the streets removing signs and barriers to celebrate Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl win
![Tampa Mayor Jane Castor issued an executive order last month requiring masks to be worn outside in the city's most popular entertainment and recreation areas, but many ignored the order on Sunday night](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/06/39012922-9235477-Tampa_Mayor_Jane_Castor_issued_an_executive_order_last_month_req-a-58_1612764772198.jpg)
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor issued an executive order last month requiring masks to be worn outside in the city’s most popular entertainment and recreation areas, but many ignored the order on Sunday night
![Tom Brady shares a kiss with model wife Gisele Bundchen after leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Super Bowl victory on Sunday night, claiming his seventh victory in the process](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/13/39016214-9235477-Tom_Brady_shares_a_kiss_with_model_wife_Gisele_Bundchen_after_le-a-4_1612792591747.jpg)
Tom Brady shares a kiss with model wife Gisele Bundchen after leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Super Bowl victory on Sunday night, claiming his seventh victory in the process
![Brady lifts the Vince Lombardi trophy after leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 31-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday night](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/08/39016306-9234429-image-a-28_1612772321727.jpg)
Brady lifts the Vince Lombardi trophy after leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 31-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday night
![Brady celebrates with his three children - daughter Vivian (right) and sons Benjamin (far left) and Jack (center, hidden behind his father) after claiming his seventh Super Bowl win](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/08/39016368-9234429-image-a-43_1612772425945.jpg)
Brady celebrates with his three children – daughter Vivian (right) and sons Benjamin (far left) and Jack (center, hidden behind his father) after claiming his seventh Super Bowl win
As the night wore on, however, violent scenes started becoming more frequent.
At first, police appeared at intersections to allow traffic to move freely and to direct fans to the sidewalks.
But soon, fans started swarming police, who retreated back into their cars. Some revelers took down street signs.
Fireworks exploded as fans with sports cars were drag racing on downtown streets, the rubber smoke and smell from the tires wafting above the crowds.
By midnight, however, police were spotted dousing revelers with pepper spray in order to reestablish a semblance of order.
Many revelers were seen without masks, in disregard of strict COVID restrictions brought in ahead of the game.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor issued an executive order last month requiring masks to be worn outside in the city’s most popular entertainment and recreation areas during Super Bowl festivities and the days following the event.
Tampa officials had warned of fines of up to $500 for violators of local health guidelines.
The nation’s top health officials sounded the alarm this week about the Super Bowl being a potential superspreader event.
‘I’m worried about Super Bowl Sunday, quite honestly. People gather, they watch games together. We’ve seen outbreaks already from football parties,’ said Rochelle Walensky, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ‘So I really do think that we need to watch this and be careful.’
Ahead of the game, hundreds of protesters with issues ranging from a union contract to Covid vaccines and the name of the visiting Kansas City team greeted Super Bowl fans in Tampa, Florida, patiently filing into Raymond James Stadium for the big game on Sunday afternoon.
![There was a carnival atmosphere in the streets as the Bucs won their second NFL title and first in 18 years](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/09/39012940-9235477-There_was_a_carnival_atmosphere_in_the_streets_as_the_Bucs_won_t-a-1_1612776923037.jpg)
There was a carnival atmosphere in the streets as the Bucs won their second NFL title and first in 18 years
![Fans were seen climbing over vehicles, streetlights and the marquees of stores](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/06/39012942-9235477-Fans_were_seen_climbing_over_vehicles_streetlights_and_the_marqu-a-56_1612764772100.jpg)
Fans were seen climbing over vehicles, streetlights and the marquees of stores
![Two women wearing Bucs jerseys and draped in the team's flag celebrate their victory at Super Bowl 55 on Sunday night](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/10/39019976-9235477-image-a-18_1612779774884.jpg)
Two women wearing Bucs jerseys and draped in the team’s flag celebrate their victory at Super Bowl 55 on Sunday night
![Bucs fans flooded downtown Tampa on Sunday to celebrate their team's unprecedented home field win at Super Bowl 55](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/10/39020018-9235477-image-a-21_1612779779716.jpg)
Bucs fans flooded downtown Tampa on Sunday to celebrate their team’s unprecedented home field win at Super Bowl 55
![Hundreds took to the streets of Tampa after the Super Bowl victory](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/06/39013010-9235477-Hundreds_took_to_the_streets_of_Tampa_after_the_Super_Bowl_victo-a-64_1612764772320.jpg)
Hundreds took to the streets of Tampa after the Super Bowl victory
![Flags were waived from the tops of cars as traffic came to a standstill in downtown Tampa](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/13/39012930-9235477-Flags_were_waived_from_the_tops_of_cars_as_traffic_came_to_a_sta-a-3_1612792591746.jpg)
Flags were waived from the tops of cars as traffic came to a standstill in downtown Tampa
![Bucs fans crowded around the Raymond James Stadium as the home team celebrated their win](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/06/39012988-9235477-Bucs_fans_crowded_around_the_Raymond_James_Stadium_as_the_home_t-a-65_1612764772328.jpg)
Bucs fans crowded around the Raymond James Stadium as the home team celebrated their win
Among the protesters were three dozen members of anti-Covid vaccine groups from around the country, including Moms for Freedom and Florida Freedom Keepers. They wore striped referee shirts as they converged around the entrance to the stadium reserved to medical professionals.
Some shouted slogans like ‘educate yourselves’ or ‘don’t do it,’ to which one nurse in the line responded, ‘you idiots.’
‘We get a lot of those responses and many much ruder,’ said protest organizer Joshua Coleman, who flew in from California just to lead the action.
Nurse Tiffany Click, 46, who works at the nearby Brandon Regional Hospital, called the protesters ignorant.
She said she won a raffle held by the hospital for 275 of the free tickets.
She started lining up about one mile away from the stadium in order to get in.
‘It is what it is,’ she said when asked about the line. ‘I’m vaccinated so it’s OK. I don’t mind waiting.’
![Bucs fans celebrated long into the night on Sunday, with almost no masks or social distancing visible amidst the crowds](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/10/39016900-9235477-image-a-25_1612779811538.jpg)
Bucs fans celebrated long into the night on Sunday, with almost no masks or social distancing visible amidst the crowds
![Fans wearing Bucs jerseys and a Tom Brady t-shirt celebrate victory in downtown Tampa on Sunday night](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/10/39020022-9235477-image-a-30_1612780005833.jpg)
Fans wearing Bucs jerseys and a Tom Brady t-shirt celebrate victory in downtown Tampa on Sunday night
![Defying Covid restrictions brought in ahead of the game, Bucs fans celebrated into the night in what experts fear could become a coronavirus super-spreader event](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/10/39020024-9235477-image-a-32_1612780020576.jpg)
Defying Covid restrictions brought in ahead of the game, Bucs fans celebrated into the night in what experts fear could become a coronavirus super-spreader event
![Tampa fans fly their team's flag after Tom Brady led them to their first Super Bowl victory in 18 years on Sunday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/13/39020016-9235477-Tampa_fans_fly_their_team_s_flag_after_Tom_Brady_led_them_to_the-a-10_1612792591911.jpg)
Tampa fans fly their team’s flag after Tom Brady led them to their first Super Bowl victory in 18 years on Sunday
![Tampa Bay Buccaneers' fans celebrate their victory outside Raymond James Stadium despite restrictions on public gatherings outside sporting venues](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/10/39019974-9235477-image-a-37_1612780031463.jpg)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ fans celebrate their victory outside Raymond James Stadium despite restrictions on public gatherings outside sporting venues
![Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans celebrate after Super Bowl 55, which their team won 31-9 over the Kansas City Chiefs](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/10/39020028-9235477-image-a-26_1612779825810.jpg)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans celebrate after Super Bowl 55, which their team won 31-9 over the Kansas City Chiefs
![Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans celebrate after Super Bowl LV, many in defiance of Covid-19 safety restrictions](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/10/39020030-9235477-image-a-39_1612780058011.jpg)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans celebrate after Super Bowl LV, many in defiance of Covid-19 safety restrictions
Across the street, two dozen American Indians from tribes in Florida and the Midwest in native clothing expressed their disapproval of the Kansas City Indian imagery.
The Chiefs, said protester Rhonda Levaldo, should change their name just like the NFL’s Washington Redskins did last year.
‘For some reason, the Chiefs flew under the radar, supposedly because their logo is a sign of respect for us,’ said Levaldo, who flew to Tampa from Kansas City. ‘We’re not some vulgar mascot. We’re people and we’re not here for anyone’s entertainment.’
But the largest protest group by far, with more than 500 people, was the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ Tampa chapter.
President Keith LaPlant proudly showed off a permit obtained from the city for a protest on one of the main arteries into the stadium area.
With cars crawling through major traffic jams, LaPlant’s union employees got the most honks from football fans.
The workers are employees of Frontier Communications, one of the local cable TV and internet access providers.
LaPlant said the union is currently in negotiations with the company which, he says, is trying to double the employees’ healthcare insurance contributions, eliminate healthcare for retirees and do away with its 401-K retirement program.
‘We’re essential workers,’ he said. ‘In this pandemic, we’re the ones who make sure kids can go to school online and businesses can operate from people’s homes. And for that, we’re digging holes and crawling through attics and spending time in homes were people could be sick.
‘We stood by the company through thick and thin but the company’s not standing by us.’
LaPlant said Frontier is a major sponsor of the Buccaneers and has a brand presence at the stadium, making the protest potentially more embarrassing for it.
‘That’s why we wanted to be here at the Super Bowl,’ he said. ‘We told the company we were doing this, but they don’t appear to care.’
![Rhonda Levaldo (left), of Kansas City, Mo., protests to eliminate all American Indian mascots in sports](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/06/38999468-9235477-Rhonda_Levaldo_left_of_Kansas_City_Mo_protests_to_eliminate_all_-a-53_1612764772095.jpg)
Rhonda Levaldo (left), of Kansas City, Mo., protests to eliminate all American Indian mascots in sports
![A line measuring more than one mile long of spectators, many healthcare workers, stretches outside Raymond James Stadium just hours before Super Bowl LV in Tampa kicks off](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/13/38999524-9235477-A_line_measuring_more_than_one_mile_long_of_spectators_many_heal-a-8_1612792591905.jpg)
A line measuring more than one mile long of spectators, many healthcare workers, stretches outside Raymond James Stadium just hours before Super Bowl LV in Tampa kicks off
![Fans were unable to avoid the protesters as they line up outside the stadium waiting to go in](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/09/38999530-9235477-Fans_were_unable_to_avoid_the_protesters_as_they_lines_up_outsid-a-5_1612776923066.jpg)
Fans were unable to avoid the protesters as they line up outside the stadium waiting to go in
![Fans are seen lining up before they head into the stadium](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/13/38999496-9235477-Fans_are_seen_lining_up_before_they_head_into_the_stadium-a-11_1612792591912.jpg)
Fans are seen lining up before they head into the stadium