TAMPA, Fla. — It’s possible that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will play bigger games in Raymond James Stadium this season — after all, someone will represent the NFC here for Super Bowl XLIII in February — but it’s doubtful there will be a more emotional contest than Sunday’s 30-21 win over the Green Bay Packers.
One day after the funeral of his 3-month-old son Tryson, Matt Bryant kicked three field goals, the last a 24-yarder with 2:26 to play that helped the Bucs overcome a 21-20 deficit. When he ended the day’s scoring, with an extra point following Earnest Graham’s 1-yard touchdown run, Bryant looked heavenward and blew a kiss.
“I didn’t think it was fair that his life was so short,” Bryant said. “The idea of not playing crossed my mind, but I thought this would be the best way to honor him. I didn’t want to have a bad game today. It was his day, it was all about him for me.”
The cause of Tryson Bryant’s death hasn’t been determined. The infant didn’t wake up Wednesday morning. Bryant immediately left the team, taking a private plane to Texas for the funeral. The Bucs weren’t sure he would return for Sunday’s game until he showed up for team meetings Saturday night.
Bryant’s third kick Sunday came after an uneven performance by Tampa Bay. The Bucs blew a 20-7 lead, with quarterback Brian Griese throwing three interceptions, the last of which was returned 62 yards by Charles Woodson for a TD that gave Green Bay a 21-20 lead.
After the Bucs regained the lead, Bryant’s kickoff went out of bounds, giving the Packers the ball at the 40-yard line. Two plays later, though, defensive end Gaines Adams intercepted a pass. On the next play, Graham ran for 47 yards to set up his game-clinching score.
After the final gun, Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden awarded the game ball to Bryant.
“I would have hated to go through the game, with the guys fighting as hard as they did, and screw it up with that kick at the end, but they bailed me out,” Bryant said.
Anthony Cotton: 303-954-1292 or acotton@denverpost.com
