Lights. Camera. Action.
On Friday the Bucs hosted high school football teams from Pinellas and Hillsborough county to take part in a media day at One Buc Place in Tampa Bay.
Local kids were given the chance to be treated like the pros: they got to address the media in three different forums (i.e. one-on-one, press conference, and media scrum).
"It's kind of crazy," said a smiling Brent Szasz from Shorecrest high school. "We really don't get too much of the spotlight (as an offensive line) so being here and being on TV is pretty awesome."
"It's pretty cool," said Riverview's junior quarterback Tamel McCall. "To think these Bucs' players were once in this position (in high school) and now I am here. I can picture myself being in their shoes one day in the future."
And there were some nerves even from some of the biggest players to occupy One Buc Place on Friday.
"I was a little nervous," said the 6'3" senior offensive lineman, Bryce Foxworth from Boca Ciega. "But my mom just told me to be myself, so after that I was ok."
The day wasn't just filled with interviews. It was also a chance for Buc's personnel to help these young players understand the importance of understanding social media and responding to questions during interviews.
"Social media is a big part of how we are supposed to talk and we need to be aware of that because social media is basically another version of dealing with the media," explained Robinson senior cornerback Anfernee Alston.
"A lot of high schools have social media and you need to know what you can say," said Leto senior offensive lineman Austin Harmon. "We need to know what to say and what not to say, especially now that we have to be ready to deal with colleges and other people to impress."
These are still just kids, but they enjoyed the chance to feel like the pros do, if only for one day.