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Roaming officials help educate Bucs fans on new bag rule

 
Adam Malone, 28, of Valrico gets cleared through security carrying one of the new clear plastic bags approved by the NFL for fans before the Tampa Bay Bucs against the Baltimore Ravens at Raymond James Stadium on Thursday.
Adam Malone, 28, of Valrico gets cleared through security carrying one of the new clear plastic bags approved by the NFL for fans before the Tampa Bay Bucs against the Baltimore Ravens at Raymond James Stadium on Thursday.
Published Aug. 9, 2013

TAMPA

As Bucs fans fired up tailgate grills and popped open beer cans for the first preseason game, Morgann Rodgers patrolled the fields around Raymond James Stadium for bags and purses that are now off-limits.

She carried a large sign with the new rules and a sample bag full of smaller bags for fans to stow their stuff.

"A lot of people say, 'Oh yeah, I saw it on the news,' " Rodgers said. "There's just been confusion on how big a clutch should be."

She approached one family Thursday night with a translucent — but not transparent — bag that would not fly with the security at the stadium. This was their first Bucs game, and although Georgette Marcelino had seen the new rules online, she thought this bag would be okay.

Rodgers handed them a disposable plastic bag, and they moved a few items over.

"Evan, go put this in the car so we can go," Neil Marcelino said to his son, who ran back with the contraband bag.

"It's better to be safe than sorry," Georgette said. "It's a good thing she was here to let us know."

The ruling came down from the NFL earlier this summer that purses are no longer allowed at games. Instead, fans can put their stuff in clear plastic bags branded with an NFL logo or a 1-gallon disposable clear plastic bag.

It would help with security, they said, and shorten lines to get in the stadium.

Raymond James Stadium officials decided to expand the rule to all events, including University of South Florida games and special events. They also said small clutches would be allowed.

But still, purses had to go.

The preseason game was the first big test of the new rule.

Parking lot attendants gave out fliers to cars entering the parking fields. Others, like Rodgers, helped answer questions and passed out bags, courtesy of the Bucs.

Closer to the stadium, officials carried megaphones that played a recorded NFL message about the new policy. At the front gates, security officers still searched bags and made patrons remove large items even though the bags were see-through.

"I kind of think it's stupid," said Brittany Matthews, a Ravens fan from Davenport who had to trek back to her car when her purse was rejected. "I've been to a baseball game, and I can always bring a purse into Tropicana Field."

Even before the game, fans expressed frustration at the new rule on Facebook. Raymond James Stadium and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers both posted photos showing what was allowed under the new rule.

Many women were upset about having personal products in the new plastic bags. Some have said it is an invasion of privacy, others said they will boycott Bucs games because of the new rule.

"My daughter went to her first game at six months old. …I needed diapers, a change of clothes just in case, a bottle, some extra milk, some mushy snacks for her, not to mention my wallet, any feminine products, lipstick, etc.," Tanya Towne wrote on the Bucs page. "This rule is stupid."

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Bobby Silvest, a spokesman for the Tampa Sports Authority, said the first night went smoothly. Security lines were short, he said, and the multiple layers of warnings meant few people were turned away at the gate.

"All indications were it went really well," Silvest said. "Nothing's changed from years past on what can be brought in, what's changed is what you bring it in."

For Kathleen Litton and her mother, Rita Quinn, who have had season tickets since Raymond James Stadium was built, the bag didn't matter. They came prepared with plastic Bucs bags stocked with towels, rain jackets, mints and other necessities.

"I don't have a problem with it," Litton said. "All I have to say: It's football season again."

Charles Scudder can be reached at cscudder@tampabay.com or (813) 225-3111.