Gronk Surprises Tampa Health Care Workers With Super Bowl Tickets

Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Rob Gronkowski surprised four local health care workers with tickets to see the team play in Super Bowl LV in Tampa, Florida, in a video posted on February 1.

The NFL said they set aside 7,500 tickets for vaccinated health care workers, most of whom live and work in the Tampa area, to attend the game at Raymond James Stadium as a thank-you for their work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mandy Mueske and Woody Nixon of the Moffitt Cancer Center and Belinda Spahn and Heather Stegmeier of AdventHealth thought their names hadn’t been drawn. That is, until Monday, when they each received a special video message from Gronkowski and the Buccaneers, the organization said.

“I am so excited,” said Mueske. “I’ve never been to a Bucs game but I’ve always wanted to, so the first time going is going to be the Super Bowl – I’m so excited.”

“Way to make history, guys,” said Nixon. “The first time the home team is the actual home team. And I’m going to be there, I can’t believe that.”

All health care workers will have received both doses of vaccine prior to the game, the NFL said. The league said they are expecting a total of 25,000 fans to attend the game, and the facility will adhere to and enforce strict COVID-19 safety measures. Credit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Storyful