If there ever was a time when two of my favorite things in life could come together this was it! My beloved Backstreet Boys and our awesome Buccaneers under one roof. The anticipation for this game was almost as high as my ITM concert. Seeing Nick and Brian in another element of their life besides singing was something I will never forget. Here are some highlights:
---The celebs: Of course our Nick and Brian got the most cheers every time they had the ball but from the Bucs there was Shaun King, Warren Sapp (he is HUGE even without his pads on!), Brad Culpepper, Martin Grammatica, Mark Royals, Riddell Anthony, and others. Everybody from 93.3 WFLZ in Tampa who sponsored this were there. Even the girl DJ's got a shot to play. DJ Kane was supposed to be on the Boys team but got traded for dissin' somebody on the Bucs.
---Brian and Nick definitely got game! Brian is "Mr. Serious" on the court unlike his antics on the stage. It was neat to see Frick and Frack communicate in their own unique way with each other. They really know each others moves.
---DJ Jennifer Jordan of the Bucs team getting called for a foul for "groping" Nick. Nick got a free throw and she could have got 5-10 years since he was under age!
---All the air inside the Sun Dome gets sucked up for a collective second as HUGE Warren Sapp "bumps" into Nick and sends him to the ground. Relax ladies! Our baby was OK. You never heard so many "Oh my God's" in your life!
---Money raised for charity: Since it was a sellout (Tampa Bay rocks!) at 11,000 people and tickets were $9.33 each that's $102,630!! Our darling Nick donated $20,000 of his own money, too. Brandon Ford donated $5,000 and Nick and Brian did half court free throws for $5,000 more a piece but missed all their attempts. Brian agreed to donate $1,000 himself anyway. I think it would have been more but dear Leighanne was with him and money must be tight now with the wedding coming up and all!
---The last few minutes of the game: They change the rules and during the last two minutes of each quarter the regular baskets count for three points and the 3 pointers behind the arch are tripled to nine points. The Bucs went ahead in the final minutes with a nine point shot and are threatening to blow it open when our awesome B-Rok jumps a mile high and snags the ball to keep it on the Boys side. The crowd just goes ballistic!
---Most flashes going off: Nick Carter lifting his shirt to wipe the sweat away!
The most interesting thing about the event was that it was originally supposed to be a golf tournament. Nick suggested a basketball game instead and now I am hoping this will be an annual event in Tampa!
LINK THE GAME
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1koX-IBghyE&t=2s&ab_channel=BSBCHRONOLOGY-BSBFAMILYLEGACY
Details
Date: March 26, 2000 Location: USF Sundome
Game Program
mcee: MJ Kelli of the MJ & BJ Show
Opening Ceremonies: National Anthem Sung By National Recording Artist "Willa"
1st Quarter
2nd Quarter
Half Time Show "Willa" and Dancers
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
Announcement of Winning Auction Bids
The Boys
- Nick Carter 5 Backstreet Boy
- Brian Littrel 23 Backstreet Boy
- BJ Harris 93 MJ & BJ Morn. Show
- Fester 71 MJ & BJ Morn. Show
- Joey B 81 MJ & BJ Morn. Show
- Hulk Hogan 13 WCW Pro-Wrestler
- Jomama Johnson 69 A.P.S./"Quiet Storm"
- Fitzgerald Scott 4 BSB Producer
- Chuck Deskins 19 Director of Salez WFLZ
- Kane 00 WFLZ Night Jock
- Munchie 12 WFLZ Night Jock
- Charlie Bradley 15 All Time Scoring Leader for USF
- Dave the Dwarf 3.2 MJ & BJ Morn. Show
The Bucs
- Shaun King 10 Buccaneer
- Warren Sapp 99 Buccaneer
- Brad Culpepper 77 Buccaneer
- Mark Royals 3 Buccaneer
- Martin Gramatica 7 Buccaneer
- Damien Robinson 24 Buccaneer
- Reidel Anthony 15 Buccaneer
- Froggy 32 MJ & BJ Morn. Show
- Morgan Klotz 33 Wash. Gen./Harlem Globetrotter Coach
- Jennifer Jordan 23 WFLZ Afternoon Jock
- Mike Newquist 22 Dir. of Ticketing Ops. For Bucs
- Dave the Dwarf 3.2 MJ & BJ Morn. Show
Final Score: Boys 108, Bucs 104.
