Earlier this afternoon, Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano addressed the media. He acknowledged that quarterback Josh Freeman Jean-Paul Jean-Pauled the team photo, and Schiano added that Freeman (and others) have been late for other events.
When Freeman got a chance to talk, Freeman freely admitted that he missed the photo. But Freeman seemed to dispute the idea that he has been late for multiple other events.
“I missed a deal for some family stuff,” Freeman said, “but other than that, it’s really isolated incidents.”
Freeman nevertheless said it was wrong to not be present for the team photo.
“The position of quarterback is a position of leadership. And obviously missing the team photo’s a big deal,” he said. “It’s something I feel badly about, and it’s honestly upsetting. You’ve got to put it behind you and continue to play.”
Freeman also said he doesn’t think he was stripped of his captain status because he missed the photo, adding that the focus on Freeman not being a captain takes away from the honor of the players who are.
Regardless, chances are it’s the first of many captains honors and team photos in Tampa that won’t include Freeman.