“I finally said, ‘We’re not going until this game is over,’ ‘’ Gramatica said. “We couldn’t even move. We couldn’t even breathe. We were just hoping the WiFi didn’t go down.
“Once Nico’s kick went through, we got dressed and went down there. It felt like I had kicked the field goal because everybody was cheering. It was all Bucs’ fans, but there were a few Gator fans. I appreciated the Gator fans who reached out and said, ‘Look, I love my Gators, but if somebody was going to beat us, I’m glad it was your son.’ It was nerve-wracking, but it was cool to hang out with the Bucs’ fans afterwards because they were all cheering for Nico. It was a great experience.’’
Gramatica remains a fan favorite and among the most beloved former Bucs’ players. He was recently selected No. 49 on the list of the top 50 All-Time Bucs Players to help celebrate the franchise’s 50th anniversary. He was selected as a 1999 third-rounder out of Kansas State University and it was a welcome destination because his family had settled in LaBelle, a tiny community just east of Fort Myers. Gramatica’s younger brothers — Bill and Santiago — both kicked at USF. The family’s USF connection has continued with Nico and his place-kicking younger brother, Gaston, who has committed to the Bulls.
“Tampa is home for us — and it always will be home,’’ Gramatica said. “I played for some other NFL teams, but it was never as much fun as Tampa. We had a great group of players and we loved being part of this community and giving back whenever we could. We had a great thing going and we have the greatest of memories.’’
Next Meeting: Wednesday, Nov. 12, 6 p.m. — Please join us to hear from University of South Florida associate athletic director Andrew Warsaw, the chief of staff for Bulls’ football and general manager for the athletic department’s Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) strategic efforts.
With colleges now permitted to share revenue with athletes — in addition to athletes securing NIL deals — it’s a whole new world. In the changing climate of college sports, USF is setting the pace by building a model athletic program for modern times. Warsaw is helping to make the Bulls a leader in this area.
Warsaw was director of football operations at Tennessee (2020-22) and Mississippi State (2018-19). He also served as the NFL’s director of game operations from 2016-17.
Come hear Warsaw as he details how USF has adapted and what to expect in the ever-changing landscape of college sports.
