Police: Man tries to torch Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ giant flag after team’s humiliating defeat

TAMPA, Fla. – After the Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered a defeat marked by fumbles, penalties and just one touchdown, authorities say a south Florida man tried to set the team’s oversized flag on fire.

Tampa police say it happened just after the New York Giants beat the Buccaneers 32-18 Sunday evening. A caller said someone was attempting to torch the $26,000 flag outside the Bucs’ corporate offices, near Raymond James stadium. The red banner featuring a skull and two crossed cutlasses measures about 80 feet by 50 feet and hangs from a 15-story pole.

Police say the fire-retardant flag did not actually go up in flames, but a small part of it was damaged.

They say 32-year-old Daniel Justin Raboni of North Palm Beach was charged with felony criminal mischief and marijuana possession.

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