Exciting NFL Road Traveled, Denver To Tampa

Disappointing home opener this week as the Buccaneers lost to the L.A. Rams. The Bucs are home again this weekend to host the reigning Super Bowl Champions, the Denver Broncos.

Interesting side note to the game is that Tara Battiato, 3rd year Cheerleader Manager, spent five seasons cheering with the Denver Broncos, serving as team captain for four years and traveling to Hawaii as the team’s 2013 Pro Bowl Representative.  Upon retiring her boots and chaps she came to Tampa.

I sat down this week for a quick Q&A with the busy Tara:

UC: Any problems separating your love for the Broncos versus your present devotion to the Bucs on game day?

Tara: I was born and raised in Denver Colorado. I grew up watching the Denver Broncos and more specifically the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders (DBC). Being a member of the DBC shaped me into the women that I am today. The DBC and Denver Broncos will always be a part of my life. However, currently working for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders as their manager and choreographer is a dream come true. Dancing is my passion and watching my choreography come to life on game days brings so much meaning to my life. I will forever be thankful to the Glazer family for my current role and will wear Red and Pewter for as long as possible!

UC: Is there going to be an invasion of your Denver family/friends at Ray Jay for the game?

YES! I am trilled to welcome my family back to Raymond James Stadium. I will have 16 family members, 4 former DBC teammates and one of my best friends attending the game on Sunday! I am most excited to introduce my 3 year old niece Clara to the TBBC.

UC: What has been the most rewarding part of your three year tenure managing such impressive talented young professional women?

It would be too difficult to select one rewarding aspect of my tenure. However, I am one of the lucky individuals in life that gets excited to go to work every day. I love meeting season pass members and Buccaneers fans every game. I love being able to make an impact in the Tampa Bay Community through our Bucs Care Foundation. But most importantly, I love attending practice every Tuesday and Thursday. The 35 members of the TBBC bring my life so much joy. I love watching them become better performers and women on and off the field.

UC: Winning in Denver seemed to come easy, losing in Tampa has been consistent. You are an organizational insider, when can the loyal Buccaneer fans expect to see their cheerleaders on the sideline of a Super Bowl?

The TBBC are the most talented, hardworking and kind women in the NFL. They inspire me to be a better coach and woman every day. They are world champions and do not need a ring to prove it. However, I wouldn’t mind choreographing routines for a playoff run sooner than later!

Thank you Tara, Tampa Bay is lucky to have you here. Photos are courtesy of Tara and the Buccaneers.

Tune back in tomorrow when we publish our album from the Rams game. Buccaneer web site is here