Happy Birthday To Joe

August 7th, 2013

Five years ago Joe fired up this website and never turned back.

Today, Joe turns five — five full years obsessing 24/7 about all things Bucs on these here pages.

It all started with a laptop and a dream. About two years before JoeBucsFan.com was born, Joe hatched a plan to cover the Buccaneers in a way that would entertain and interest Joe, something edgy and fresh and unlike the stale traditional media. A defunct site called JoeNetsFan.com was the inspiration for the name and the spirit. But Joe decided to bring a different angle, the whole third-person “Joe” thing.

Joe pounded away for months on these pages writing passionately for almost nobody. Traffic grew while Joe endured endless personal attacks, the result of rattling the cages of Bucs fans, the Bucs organization, and Joe’s media brethren.

But Joe pressed on, confident that fans were buying into Joe’s unique brand of journalism that continues to be like no other.

Thankfully, Bucs fans kept coming. Yesterday, JoeBucsFan.com enjoyed about 20,000 actual visits, a rather typical day. Joe’s traffic continues to rise, up about 30 percent from last August, and it’s reached the point where Joe now is the No. 1 destination for legions of Bucs fans.

The ride has been wild (Joe could write a book about the bizarre sh*t he’s experienced), and Joe appreciates all his readers. While Joe has wacky daily commenters, the typical reader around here only comes once a week or so, and Joe is thankful to all of you.

In the birthday spirit, Joe is seeking donations/gifts to help fund his obsessions with the Bucs, and babes and beer. Joe would love to travel to more Bucs games this year. Thanks in advance for those who choose to give Joe a birthday gift. Your cash will help drive Joe to new heights, or new lows, depending on your perspective.


Gift options for Joe of JoeBucsFan.com



47 Responses to “Happy Birthday To Joe”

  1. BucsfaninChina Says:

    Have a beer on me joe… really appreciate the work you do on the site. Though i too have broken a few remotes over this damn team over the past few years i pretty much count on your site alone for news and a little pickup and motovation to watch the next game.

  2. the_buc_realist Says:

    I remember when there was me and two other commenters on this site, It fells like this site has been around even longer than that. Happy Fifth Joe’s and hope for continued growth and success!

    Go Bucs, 1 more day until almost real football, or scrub football!

  3. Biff Barker Says:

    Happy Birthday Joe, lets skip the cake nonsense and make a beeline for the foamies!

  4. lightningbuc Says:

    Joe(s) – Happy Birthday! You guys are the real Rock Stars when it comes to the Bucs. Beer coming your way!

  5. Chris@Apple Says:

    Happy BDay Joe, and here is a Lap Dance from all of us here at Apple Roof Cleaning. (A Lap Dance with Rachael Watson, was not an option)

  6. Joe Says:

    Cheers to Apple Roof Cleaning, the official unofficial roof cleaners of JoeBucsFan. http://appleroofcleaning.com/

  7. Joe Says:

    Much thanks to all for their kindness.

  8. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    I wasn’t there for the birth, but I’ve been lurking these pages for about 3 years…same year that the Bucs forum shut down.

    I was looking for an alternative. I’d tried a slew of other Bucs fan sites. Most of the forum members had moved on to another forum or PR. To me, PR just plain sucked. The forum was okay, but not what I was looking for.

    Then I found JoeBucsFan.com and a new home. Been here since. Even though many members disagree, aside from a few doom and gloom commenters, most members are pretty knowledgeable and reasonable.

    I can tell the difference between the Joes (one is much more emotional when things go wrong), and I enjoy both. The steady updates and editorials go a long way, and I check the site at least 5 times per day…usually more.

    It’s a job VERY WELL DONE.

    Happy Birthday, Joes!

  9. tmaxcon Says:

    happy birthday joe… Lap dance coming your way brother!!!! Keep up the good work and back a few down for the working man today!

  10. JonBuc Says:

    Well done, Joes! Almost as impressive as the Bucs coverage is the fact you made a career out of this as many corporate lackeys such as myself toil away at much less meaningful pursuits. I’m impressed!

  11. Lev Says:

    I visit this website everyday

  12. BucfaninMi Says:

    i come to this site everyday and have for the last 5 years. i love it!! GO BUCS!!!!!

  13. Eric Says:

    Happy Birthday Joe.

    Thanks for giving us the opportunity to post our well thought out/insightful/reasoned and schizophrenic commentary on the bucs.

    I hope not another 4 birthdays will pass before we see the bucs in one of those meanningless playoff games.

    Here’s to many more.

  14. Couch Fan Says:

    Happy B-day Joe. Your site has become a critical part of my day. Constantly checking up and seeing new info you provide. Thanks for the hard work!

  15. Kevin S Says:

    A pair of lap dances is a small price to pay for the amount of time that I spend on this site… That said, I want a full, detailed report of said lap dances. Happy B-Dday JBF! Here’s to many more to come.

  16. Jamaica Buc Says:

    Not sure where and when I got “captured” by the website …
    … but it is the BEST Bucs coverage that I have found.
    Glad you got a connection with 620 Joe.

    Happy 5th to the website.

    Thanks for keeping us INFORMED and EDUCATED on ALL thing Buccaneers!

  17. Jeff Says:

    Must be a pretty painful job covering these bozo’s over the last 5 years, ouch

  18. Fritz50 Says:

    “Not sure where and when I got “captured” by the website ”

    What he said…happy to contribute & thanks to all (both) the Joes, on this happy occasion. Keep up the good work

  19. Biff Barker Says:

    I still say we should pound a few broodles before we sing.
    Joe, when are you going to host the JBF fan appreciation party?

  20. [THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Discuss Longo Going Deep And Jeremy Hellickson Pulled Early | Rays Index Says:

    […] Happy Birthday, Joe! [JoeBucsFan] […]

  21. Fritz50 Says:

    Joe, was wondering if a permanent link for contributions could be created. I’m one of those who depend on you for daily ( sometimes hourly ) Bucs information. While I wasn’t able to contribute much, at this time, I would be happy to make those small contributions on a regular basis, as they become available. In any case, thanks again.

  22. safety Says:

    Happy Birthday Joe! I have been a daily reader for more than four years.
    You’ve built an incredible site here, and it had been a pleasure reading your reports, hering you on the radio, and watching your fantastic site grow!
    Keep up the great work!
    Thanks!

  23. the_buc_realist Says:

    @Jeff
    are you kidding, Coach “Rah” and the “Pop-star” practically write stories themselves, With all their shenanigans and tomfoolery.

  24. Mark G Says:

    Happy Birthday to your blog Joe!

    This has been my “go-to-site” for all things Buccs for a few years now and even though I have moved out of the area there is not a day that I am not on your site. Here’s to your continued success!

    Thanks

  25. McBuc Says:

    I have been here for a long time, and visit multiple times a day. Thanks for the year round coverage of all things Bucs…My boss probably hates you, and my wife makes fun of me for how often I am surfing your fantastic site. Keep it up, you are living the dream!

  26. Buc1987 Says:

    Happy Birthday to you happy birthday to you. This place is… a zoo. I will donate a couple of drafts as soon as I can pry the $5.00 out of my wife the accountant. I’ve been working on her about it this morning. She’s a tough one though Joe. Had to battle for about a week with her to get our season tickets.

  27. WestCoastBucsFan Says:

    Best blog in all of sports. Period. I follow a few other teams and there is nothing available to other teams that even comes close to what is offered here. Between my phone and computer(s) there is no way I check JBF any less than ten times a day.

    Keep it up Joe(s)!

  28. stvcl Says:

    Congrats Joe…this site has so much info I rarely go to the newspaper or offical website to get my Bucs fix. Thanks brother.

  29. bucbucbuc Says:

    Happy birthday Joe!

    Living in California, I don’t get much exposure to Bucs news/reporting. I come to this site hourly just to keep pace with all that is pewter and red. Thanks for the great, insightful content that you seem to churn out constantly!

  30. Joe Says:

    Guys:

    Thank you all for the very flattering words (and of course, beers!). May all of you wake up some morning with Rachel Watson beside you.

  31. Buc'n Junkie Says:

    I would be remiss if I didn’t do a Happy Birthday shout out to the best Buc blog ever. I guess I could be classified as one of those wacky daily commenters, that has got a big mouth, but I can’t help myself when it comes to anything and everything Buc. I’m a Junkie! Happy B-Day JoeBucsFan.com!

  32. Drew Says:

    Happy Birthday Joe… hope you can do this again at the 10 year mark. I think I speak for all of us when I say we appreciate the informative and real time news you regularly post. Also can’t wait for the game day blog to start. If not for the fact I live in CA I’d buy you a few beers.

  33. Kennedy Says:

    Much love from downtown Clearwater. Happy B-day

  34. tom in st augustine Says:

    happy birthday joe! please follow me on twitter (tampa2) , remember my face ~ that way when you see me at the carolina game (a game i can go to bc most likely it’ll be blacked out) you can hit me up for 4 cold ones (two for steve and two for lee). just say “hey tom, you promised me four beers” and i’ll keep my promise. appreciate all your hard work! go bucs!

  35. tom in st augustine Says:

    Happy Birthday Joe! Love this site! Appreciate all your hard work!

  36. tonytwocents Says:

    Happy Birthday Joe! I used to go from tbo, to sptimes, to buc nation, to the pp, etc., to get my fix each day. Now, I couldnt even tell you what their websites look like. I visit your page at least 3-4 times a day. It’s your content, your articles arent so rigid and stiff like the traditional sites. And I personally like the simple layout that hasnt seemed to change after all these years. Real guys just want to read and scroll, few clicks as possible (other than video/article links, comments, and Rachel Watson pics).

    btw, I wanna give you a Lap Dance so bad (that didnt sound right), but I don’t like going through that transaction company. sorry guys, but I hope I make up for it in daily views and sponsor visits.

    Happy Birthday guys!!!

  37. tonytwocents Says:

    on a side note, I would love to see Joe TV really hit it off in the next five years. maybe inbetween articles. with a line-up of hot JBF correspondents, getting the scoop, doing interviews, game analysis, or just pillow fighting. anyways, just my two cents.

  38. Bucslegends Says:

    Happy B-Day Joe, Love the site !! I get all things BUCS here in California thanks to you !!!! THANKS JBF !!!!!!!

  39. Bucky23 Says:

    Happy Birthday Joe! I love this site. I know I speak for everyone when I say that your work is truly appreciated and I know you put in a lot of time. I know that one of you is an Eastern Illinois Alum, as I am myself. Not that many people to talk buccaneer football with in central illinois so this site helps a bunch. Thanks again.

  40. BigEl Says:

    Happy Birthday Joe. My brother told me about your site about 2 years ago, been coming here 2 or 3 times a day ever since. Great work, love it here.

    GO BUCS

  41. Mr Lucky Says:

    Joe1 and Joe2

    It’s hard to believe that’s it’s been five years that I’ve actually been coming here to JBF.com. Things have certainly grown during that time.

    Since you didn’t have any Caybrew’s I’ll just give a lap dance this time.

    Keep up the good work guys.

  42. Sneedy16 Says:

    Happy Birthday Joe

  43. Adrian Says:

    Happy Birthday Joe! I have visited this site everyday since the first day I found out about it. Keep up the good work!
    GO BUCS!

  44. PRBucFan Says:

    Feliz Cumpleaños Joe(s)

    I echo Bonzai, I found you after bbs.buccaneers.com shut down and havent looked back since.

    BucNewsAllDayEveryDay 🙂

    Thanks so much

  45. tha truth is ... Says:

    happy bday and much more. I stumbled across this site about 3 yrs ago after searching best bucs website on GOOGLE. glad 2 see tha growth and improvements throughout time and looking forward 2 more in tha future. CONGRATS!

  46. pruritus ani Says:

    Congrats once again Joe…Been here almost the whole time even though I am working across the globe right now. May you have many more years of success.

  47. grif4foozball Says:

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY Joe,Best Bucs website handsdown!