Keeping the Storm In Stitches
Adam J Locascio
Monday July 18, 2005
And Mike Alstott’s.
Linda McRae can.
"I had my hand in his pocket," said McRae.
You see, McRae is a seamstress and she’s responsible for keeping the Tampa Bay sports franchises clothed.
McRae in some ways is more important than the team doctor. While the doctor is responsible for keeping the players on the field, the players can’t get on the field without McRae.
When the Tampa Bay Storm signs a new player, McRae receives a phone call from the Storm’s equipment manager with the players name and number. McRae then goes to her rack of blank jerseys and creates a jersey for him. She keeps blue and white jerseys on a rack.
But McRae’s talents aren’t limited to the Storm
She doesn’t have an office or a store. She isn’t at the stadium on the locker room. Rather, McRae has a room in her house that would make most sports fans wide-eyed and jealous. Her walls are adorned with framed jerseys and autographs along with newspapers and even a Tampa Bay Buccaneers clock that she made herself.
McRae isn’t part of a team; she is an army of one. Even she is forced to cut corners to speed things up in the event of a free agent acquisition. For example, the Bucs signed DeVone Claybrooks to their active roster, McRae combined the old nameplates of Derrick Brooks and Michael Clayton to make the "CLAYBROOKS" seen on the back of the jersey.
In fact, McRae has a library of former players’ jersey names that she can draw from. Flipping through the fabric reveals names like "HO__FIELD" where she pilfered a "W" and an "E" for another player.
McRae also tailors jerseys for the Storm depending on a player’s personal preference. Some players prefer jerseys that stop at the waist line. Storm OS Freddie Solomon has his jersey cut short and almost fits like a midriff belly shirt.
Others, prefer them skin tight to reduce the amount of clutching that occurs on the line. For example, Storm OL/DL Kelvin Kinney has his jerseys tailored so tight that they are almost impossible to get on over the shoulder pads. Kinney’s jersey is so tight that he needs assistance squeezing into the shirt with all his pads.
Other players need a little more room in their jerseys to accommodate their stature. Former Buc Warren Sapp needed material added to the midsection of his jersey and McRae’s hand was in on the customization of big number 99’s uniform.
If McRae’s jerseys will withstand the torture of a 60-minute football game, no doubt that her jerseys can withstand an afternoon in the stands or on the couch. But for all it’s worth, few know of McRae’s talents.
Though, when teams need a special order, they know where to go. McRae was responsible for making an additional jersey for Storm quarterback Shane Stafford to wear when he made his full-court shot during a basketball game at the Forum. She also made Al Lucas’ Storm jersey that was presented to his parents after his death during the 2005 season.
"She does so much, yet no one gives her the credit she deserves," said Storm Vice President of Operations Rory Ridgon.
The value of an authentic jersey is priceless as it will most certainly be the last jersey that any fan will have to buy (barring the fact that you outgrow it). Most fans only have access to the replica jerseys that are for sale in places such as Champs and at the St. Pete Times Forum. Unfortunately, after several times through the wash, the screen printed letters crack and fade.
For all the work that McRae does, you would think that sports would get to be a burden for her, but it’s not. She’s a die-hard fan and her collection of sports memorabilia proves it. Not only does she have Storm jerseys from years past, but she also has old orange Buccaneer shirts and jerseys. She’s no fair-weather fan.
"A customer gave me this," she said holding up a blank #56 orange-on-white Bucs jersey. "He was upset that (Buccaneer linebacker) Hardy [Nickerson] left and ripped off the name plate."
McRae is also suiting up some fans for the coming season. On her plate for the weekend was a white Bucs jersey for a fan whose last name is "SIMNJANOVSKI."
"Honestly, I don’t hate him," she said with a smile.
Maybe if you’re lucky, she’ll get her hands in your pants.
Adam J. Locascio is a financial advisor in the Tampa Bay area and a Board Member of the Tampa Bay Storm Surge Fan Club. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Phoenix and is a six-year season ticket holder for the Tampa Bay Storm.
