The Lombardi Trophy stays in the Super Bowl LV host city

When the Vince Lombardi Trophy arrived at the Super Bowl LV host city Tampa, it was either for a temporary or a permanent stay after the decisive game Sunday, February 8, 2021. The Lombardi Trophy was delivered to the Super Bowl LV NFL Experience Friday, January 29 with an honorary virtual presentation by NFL Hall of Famer, Super Bowl XXXVII Champion, and former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Derrick Brooks.

The Trophy remained on display for fans to see through Saturday, February 6 at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park during the Super Bowl LV NFL Experience hours of operation. The trophy was first awarded January 15, 1967 to the Green Bay Packers who defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 35 - 10 during Super Bowl I.

After the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl win in 2020, they were vying for another win in 2021. But it wasn't their fate this year. It was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers time to win the 55th Super Bowl, played in their own town and at their own home game stadium. The Buccaneers won 31 - 9. It took Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and team work to win and keep the Lombardi Trophy in its permanent home Tampa, Florida.

Congratulations to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in winning Super Bowl LV, despite Covid-19, all the necessary safety measures were in place at all events and at the game but fans wanted to be a part of history in the making before and after the game. A stadium that can hold up to 75,000, only seated 25,000 of which 7,500 were selected vaccinated healthcare workers and 50,000 cut outs at a cost of $100 each. The lowest Super Bowl attendance in the history of NFL. In addition, all in attendance had their temperature taken. 

Super Bowl LVI will be at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA, originally Super Bowl LV was supposed to be in Inglewood but due to stadium issues it was changed to Tampa, on February 6, 2022. Hopefully no pandemic will be around so all can enjoy the Super Bowl and have a full audience attendance.

Ready for Super Bowl LV - Forever 55 (photos & videos)

Well this is it, only a few hours for Super Bowl 55 in my hometown (well actually my second hometown). I took my last visit to Raymond James Stadium before road closures took place.

 

Photo & video credits DNI

Photos & videos are not to be used without permission

And of course I had to take some more photos and videos for those that can't be present near and far due to covid and other reasons. Enjoy the photos and videos and even one of an unexpected fly over. But first here are the road closures for my locals and visitors.

As of today, Saturday February 6, 2021 a few streets will be shut down. And obviously the closure includes one of the busiest streets in Tampa and precisely where Raymond James Stadium is located, Dale Mabry Highway in both directions from Martin Luther King Boulevard to Columbus Boulevard will close at at 5 p.m. and will reopen at 6 a.m. Monday, February 8, 2021.

Other closures:

• East curbside lane on South Tampa Street between East Jackson Street and East Whiting Street will be closed on Sunday. It will reopen Monday.
• Westbound lane on East Whiting Street from South Franklin Street to South Tampa Street will be closed on Sunday and re-open Monday.
• The Lane shifts on East Jackson Street between South Tampa Street and South Florida Avenue will be closed on Sunday and will reopen Monday.
• The Harbour Island Bridge will be closed until 3 p.m. Monday.
• Northbound lanes on South Franklin Street from Water Street to Channelside Drive will be closed until 3 p.m. Monday.
• Westbound lanes on Water Street from the Tampa Bay History Center to South Franklin Street will be closed until 3 p.m. Monday.
• South Florida Avenue between Channelside Drive and the Pam Iorio Parking Garage will remain closed until 3 p.m. Monday.
• In addition, street closures and delays are expected to continue on downtown’s Ashley Drive until February 14 as the Super Bowl LV NFL Experience at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park is taken down.

  

  

Photo & video credits DNI

Photos & videos are not to be used without permission

More photos at On the way to Super Bowl LV with Dori's World by clicking here.

Get acquainted with Raymond James Stadium

For the third time Tampa, Florida will host another Super Bowl. Super Bowl LV will be held at Raymond James Stadium for a third time.

Raymond James Stadium also referred to as Ray Jay and The New Sombrero is located at 4201 North Dale Mabry. It was built south of Tampa Stadium back in the years 1997 to 1998 - ground breaking was October 15, 1996.

Once Raymond James was completed Tampa Stadium was demolished after the Tampa Bay Mutiny's last home game on September 13, 1998. And within days from demolition day, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers played their first game at their new home stadium September 20, 1998.

The stadium has 65,000 seats expandable to 75,000. Due to covid, seats are limited for the 55th Super Bowl game. It will have only 25,000 fans and 30,000 cutouts in attendance.

In addition to Super Bowls, concerts, festivals, exhibitions, Monster Jam and other events held at Raymond James Stadium, sports teams and sports events have been played as well. Here are a few sports events played at the stadium:

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL) (1998 – present)
• South Florida Bulls (NCAA) (1998–present)
• Outback Bowl (NCAA) (1999–present)
• Tampa Bay Mutiny (MLS) (1999–2001)
• Gasparilla Bowl (NCAA) (2018–present)
• Tampa Bay Vipers (XFL) (2020,2022-present)

Super Bowl stroll around Raymond James Stadium - photos and videos

I took a drive to Raymond James Stadium and walked around to see the progress and preparations for Super Bowl LV in my hometown Tampa, Florida before it got crowded. Here are a few photos and videos from around the stadium.

Photos and video credits DNI

Photos and videos not to be used without permission

Super Bowl stroll along the Tampa Riverwalk - photos and videos

I took a drive to downtown Tampa to see the progress and preparations for Super Bowl LV before it got crowded. Here are a few photos from along the Tampa Riverwalk. I found some cool photos spots while I was downtown. 

 

Video & photo credits DNI, videos & photos not to be used without permission

Enjoy your visit if you are able to attend. If not, enjoy my photos and a few videos.