The first Buccaneers RED event for women is Thursday night at Raymond James Stadium.
It’s a new campaign aimed at getting more women excited about football, just days ahead of the Bucs season opening game Sunday at home against the Tennessee Titans.
But all hasn't been smooth with the roll out of the program.
The Bucs launched the campaign in August and it stirred up controversy across the country, with the New York Times calling it a move out of the 1950’s and "embarrassingly sexist."
Some women told Bay News 9 they found it just as insulting as the NYT blogger did.
"I think it’s kind of sexist," said Riley Rhoton. "But I think it’s good they have that idea to get that out there because maybe a lot of women don’t know about football, but at the same time, it’s like, I don’t know about football because I’m a woman? Oh, ok…"
Yet others say they think it’s a great idea.
"Anything to get more folks there and get women more involved," said Theresa David. "I think a lot of women do like football, and obviously, there’s ones that don’t, and maybe that’s going to help get more women to the field."
According to the Bucs, that’s the goal of Thursday night’s RED launch party, with a Q&A session with Bucs GM Jason Licht, Fantasy Draft advice, and even a virtual quarterback training, all aimed at the ladies.
The event will also let fans interact with former players, see the latest tailgating tips and learn about fantasy football. Also, according to the Bucs website, the program provides fashion forward Bucs gear and a lesson in football 101.
Despite the controversy the Bucs aren’t backing off the women’s movement, and even though Thursday’s launch party is aimed at women, they say the guys are welcome as well.