Bucs, Lightning, Rays call for removal of Confederate monument from Tampa

The trio of major professional sports teams in Tampa Bay are banding together to take a stand against oppression.

In a statement released by the Buccaneers, Rays, and Lightning on Thursday afternoon, the clubs announced a joint initiative to dedicate funds to assist in the removal of a Confederate monument from a public space outside of the Tampa courthouse.

Recognizing that this monument does not reflect the values of our community, in collaboration with the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, our organizations have dedicated funds to assist in moving the statue from the public space in front of the courthouse.

Now more than ever before, we must stand united and committed to diversity and inclusion as we all attempt to heal from the tragedy in Charlottesville.

The statement comes on the heels of protests in Charlottesville, Va., over the weekend where white nationalist and other supremacist groups attempted to block the removal of another Confederate statue in the downtown core of the city.

Former Bucs coach Tony Dungy tweeted that he would donate $5,000 to help move the statue from its spot in downtown Tampa.

The teams' announcement came a day after legislators, in a divisive 4-2 vote, gave fundraisers 30 days to collect $140,000, about half of what's needed to relocate the statue.