TAMPA - Fans attending Monday night's game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons will undoubtedly spot an unforgettable character roaming the Raymond James Stadium stands.
He'll be the guy wearing dark glasses and a cape.
Dozens of red, black, silver and pewter beads will hang around his neck.
And atop his head? Yep, it's a plastic replica of the franchise's signature pirate ship.
Meet Albert Owens, a do-everything staff member from WFLA-Ch. 8.
Actually, meet his alter ego - Bucified Bert. He's part-Super Fan, part-Superman.
"It started out as a way to show spirit for the Bucs,'' Owens said. "It became something more.''
So much more.
Bucified Bert reached the steps of the Pro Football Hall of Fame last summer at Canton, Ohio, when he was inducted into the Professional Football Ultimate Fan Association, a once-in-a-lifetime honor that recognized what he calls a "fanatical'' devotion to the Bucs and a "phenomenal'' desire to serve as a positive role model for Tampa Bay's youth.
For a decade, Bucified Bert has awarded $1,000 college scholarships to exemplary high-school kids, some of whom already have graduated and become teachers. At first, the money came out of his own pocket, but he has since attracted corporate sponsors and partnered with other organizations.
He speaks to dozens of school classes per year, getting attention with his colorful garb, but utilizing it to push across meaningful messages.
The B.U.C.I.F.I.E.D. acronym stands for "Be Understanding Citizens and Identify Friendly Individuals Every Day'' because, as Owens explains, "a stranger can be danger.''
"Bucified is a lifestyle - an integrity-driven lifestyle,'' Owens said. "I want to be a positive influence on kids. I tell them to be aware of their surroundings, to choose their friends carefully. I want them to stay away from drugs.
"I want them to be dream seekers and I want them to stay away from dream killers. I try to be entertaining and say things in a way that will catch their attention.''
Such as?
Be A Positive Thinker, Not An Underage Drinker.
Owens' late mother - Emma Lee - remains the inspiration for his positive-thinking approach. Growing up in Ybor City, Owens was a shoeshine boy who couldn't get any business. Discouraged, he turned to his mother, who said, "You should speak their language.''
Owens learned Spanish. Suddenly, his business boomed.
Emma Lee raised eight children and worked at Krispy Kreme Doughnuts on Florida Avenue, becoming a behind-the-counter presence and familiar friend to police officers, businessmen, school kids and neighborhood regulars.
She didn't have much, but always managed to help the poor and homeless around the holidays. She told Owens to live an honest life and think about other people.
That's why part of his Bucified slogan is "OLE Is Alive.'' OLE stands for "Operation Legacy Emma Lee.''
How did Bucified actually begin?
In 1995, when there was a possibility of the Bucs' franchise leaving Tampa, Owens first dressed up in his Bucified garb, sometimes going door-to-door, making public appearances, cajoling politicians, anything to help decision-makers see the merit of keeping the city's NFL team.
Some five years later, when WFLA's Daytime program sought a way to build attention for that weekend's Bucs game, the Owens/Bucified Bert character made its first appearance before a large audience. The 10-second smack-talking TV spot, encouraged by host Brian Fasulo, went over famously.
"And the rest,'' Owens said, "is history.''
Someone told Owens he has become a celebrity. WFLA anchor Gayle Guyardo calls Owens a "true inspiration.'' He smiled, then quickly deflected the attention.
The real celebrities, he said, are his mother and kids who buy into the Bucified message.
"I am definitely a fanatical fan,'' Owens said. "But this Bucified image allows me to shine the light on the phenomenal. If the things I do will help young people become more vigilant about doing the right things, stay out of trouble, get an education and help people, what could be better than that?
"I have a lot of fun. But the truth is, I'm honored to be spreading messages like that and helping kids become great people. That's the real joy of Bucified.''
Contact Joey Johnston at hillsnews@tampabay.com.