Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 8-18-17

Local
‘Bucified Bert’ Inducted To Pro Football Ultimate Fan Association
Bucified Bert as he is seen in Tampa at
the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ football
games and at appearances throughout
the area. Bucified Bert once he arrived in Canton, Ohio. Bucified Bert, far right, and the other Ultimate Fans in Canton.
Bucified Bert is the first African American inducted into the association.
Tampa Bay’s very own Al- bert Owens, also known as Bucified Bert, was recently inducted into the Profes- sional Football Ultimate Fan Association, also known as PFUFA. The induction cere- mony took place on August 6, 2017 in Canton, Ohio during the National Football League’s (NFL) Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week.
Bucified was drafted by PFUFA member Big Keith Kunzig Nasty for a chance to become a part of the na- tional organization, which had a total of 17 members in-
ducted into their class of 2017. As a memento of Buci- fied’s induction, there were 2017 collectable coins dis- tributed at the ceremony to commemorate the experi- ence.
In November of 2016, Bu- cified was excited to receive the draft card, knowing that if he passed all of the tests, he would become the first Black fanatical fan to be inducted into the PFUFA Hall of Fame.
Bucified has a reputation of being fanatical at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ games as well as actively serving his community. In honor of his mother, Emma Lee, he has helped youth in the Tampa Bay area earn col-
lege scholarships, find em- ployment opportunities, and he advises young people on how to overcome obstacles in their everyday lives.
In Ohio, he was a part of the 2017 NFL and Hall of Fame kickoff parade and greeted youths by passing out school supplies, book bags, bikes, and food. He also distributed his 2017 Ultimate Fan Cards at the J Babe Stearn Center for Kids.
PFUFA’s mission is to en- courage the fellowship of all fans, promote sportsmanship
and seek out community service opportunities that benefit those in need. PFUFA consist of 130 members and was founded in 1999 by the Professional Hall of Fame, Visa, and the NFL.
Bucified is grateful to those who helped the “Buci- fied & OLE Is Alive” program and the supporters who helped with expenses and purchased tee shirts so that he could be in Ohio for seven days. He is especially grateful for those who care about his mother’s legacy, Operation
Legacy Emma Lee for the next generation.
“Now that I am a mem- ber, I can invite others up to Canton, Ohio, and it feels good, being a part of history, where Tony Dungy, Der- rick Brooks, and Warren Sapp have made history. I can hardly wait on 2018. Now my job as an Ultimate Fan, is to find other fans, who are doing great things as a Fanatical Fan,” he said.
BY KARI KNOWLES ...A Bucified Bert Supporter
PAGE 10-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 2017