Forever 55

The Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee Launches Health and Wellness Program alongside the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Systemic Justice Pillar

Since August, the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee has unveiled a series of community-focused initiatives that comprise its legacy program, Forever 55. Part of a $2 million joint investment by the Host Committee and the NFL, Forever 55 focuses on six key areas: Food Insecurity, Sustainability, Families and Early Childhood Education, Health and Wellness, and Systemic Justice. While each pillar reflects different areas of community need, they are united under a singular commitment of championing efforts that bridge equity gaps, lay the foundation for improved lives, and influence long-lasting transformative change.

The Forever 55 Health and Wellness Program is a comprehensive effort to support the physical, social and emotional health of children in the East Tampa community. The long-term program will be carried out by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers players and staff, in collaboration with Hillsborough County Public Schools and the City of Tampa, and deliver a wide range of resources that build students for future success.

Students’ physical fitness goals will be supported through virtual and in-person instruction, the donation of Buccaneers fitness equipment, monthly instructional videos featuring players and mascot Captain Fear, and incentive prizes to encourage maximum effort and behavior in school. Wellness support will also extend to ensuring healthy eyesight for local youth, as one in four children are affected by vision impairment and one in five children cannot afford eye care. East Tampa students will receive free vision screenings and prescription glasses through the Glazer Vision Foundation’s Mobile Vision Clinic. Finally,

the team’s Youth Leadership Program, a first-of-its-kind commitment to provide mentorship to students at Young Middle Magnet School, connects players and staff with 25 students at the Title I school. The team hosts group workshops that tackle social and emotional development and empower mentees to become leaders in their school and community.

Longterm, students will be able to carry on positive health practices inside and outside of the classrooms, creating a lifestyle that will benefit them for many years to come.

Forever 55’s Systemic Justice pillar aims to address racial inequities and drive social transformation in Tampa Bay. Systemic racism is the root cause of disparities in many “success indicators,” including wealth, the criminal justice system, employment, housing, healthcare, politics, and education. To address inequities, a 25-member committee representing civic and community leaders collaborated to develop comprehensive programs on community policing, financial literacy, and a six-part series of empowering community conversations called Huddle for Change.

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the program hosted its first Huddle for Change. A partnership between the Host Committee, NFL Inspire Change, Community Tampa Bay, and the University of South Florida, the program welcomed community members and local leaders to participate in an open and honest discussion. The dialogue centered around critical topics such as the wealth gap, mental health, physical well-being, community policing, education and ultimately inspire and positively affect change on a local level.

In partnership with the United Way Suncoast and PNC Bank, the Systemic Justice initiative also introduced a comprehensive financial literacy program to eliminate opportunity barriers in disadvantaged communities. Program participants will receive training, support services, resources, and access to match funding to meet their financial goals while learning essential savings and investing strategies.

Finally, the Community Policing initiative aims to build a collaborative environment between youth and law enforcement, particularly those in Black and Brown communities. As part of the program, Derrick Brooks Charities will host CPR (Community-Police Relationship) events focused on bridging gaps, improving communication, and fostering relationships. The activities will be education and awareness driven, seeking to foster foundational conversations that help develop a framework for building trust.

On sport’s grandest stage exists the capacity to inspire hope and affect change. This year, that opportunity is more powerful than ever. Through Forever 55, the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee, the NFL and its partners ensure that Super Bowl LV’s impact extends well beyond gameday, moving the community “Forward. Forever. Together.”