Bucs host veterans from Haley hospital at practice

Posted Aug 12, 2011 by TBO.com

Updated Aug 12, 2011 at 02:12 PM

Ronde Barber greets on of the veterans from the James A.
Haley Veterans’ Hospital./TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS PHOTO

More than 30 veterans from the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital were guests at a Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice at Raymond James Stadium on Aug. 6.

The patients were given VIP treatment, according to team, and were recognized by thousands of fans in attendance when Bucs general manager Mark Dominik led the crowd in a standing ovation.

Along with Buccaneers’ cheerleaders, cornerback Ronde Barber and running back LeGarrette Blount made a special visit over to the veterans during practice. They signed autographs and posed for pictures with the visitors.

When practice ended, the entire team greeted the military visitors.

“It’s exciting to be out, to be here,” Scott Nicholas, 35, a Miami native, told the Bucs’ website. “This is the best thing I’ve ever been to; I can’t even explain it. The players are real cool and they make you feel like somebody special. They come and talk to you; it’s really cool.”