Happy Birthday, Ira Kaufman!
August 11th, 2025
“Work with me here, Baker. C’mon.”
A standing ovation is in order for JoeBucsFan.com columnist and radio/podcast legend Ira Kaufman. Happy birthday, Ira!
The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports is older than Doug Williams and it’s believed he’s younger than Marv Levy.
It’s also Ira’s 50th anniversary season as a sports journalist. Like the Bucs, Ira kicked off his career in September of 1976. His first NFL beat was the New York Giants in 1979. He landed in Tampa in 1985, more specifically a Pinellas County apartment complex with loud neighbors prone to lewd acts.
Ira’s secret is golf, tennis, speed walking on buffet lines, and juking old women in Publix aisles. He’s also been known to walk his beloved dog Cosmo like a proud dad.
You may see Ira driving to and from One Buc Palace today in his luxurious Ford Escape from Bill Currie Ford — cherry red.
It’s hard to believe Ira just entered his 10th year at JoeBucsFan.com. What a beast. Joe hopes Ira keeps working until the Bucs and/or Team Glazer make the bold and correct move to put Ira in the Buccaneers Ring of Honor.
C’mon, Team Glazer. Will there ever be another Ira? Not a chance.
You can send Ira birthday love in the comments below, or hit him up on Twitter @ikaufman76.
Joe still can’t believe the Tampa Bay Times bought The Tampa Tribune nine years ago and made the bonehead move of kicking Ira to the curb in a matter of minutes. That’s on par with cutting Darrelle Revis in his prime.
Ira in the grill of safeties coach Nick Rapone at Bucs training camp 2022.
August 11th, 2025 at 7:42 am
Happy Birthday Ira! Here’s to many more! Go Bucs!!!
August 11th, 2025 at 7:44 am
A great FA to JoeBucsFan team.
Happy Birthday Ira… Back when the Internet took off I was living in NC, and I still remember searching for Ira’s Buccaneers Colum. To read the best Buccaneers news reporter Ira.. Happy Birthday and keep up your great HOF work. Simeon Rice is next up on your plate Ira. Hope you have a great day Ira..
August 11th, 2025 at 7:49 am
Who’s older, Ira, or dirt?
August 11th, 2025 at 7:50 am
Happy Birthday Ira! I’ll look for you in Ybor City tonight!
August 11th, 2025 at 7:51 am
The Trib is a fish wrap and they know nothing.
August 11th, 2025 at 7:52 am
Happy Birthday, Ira!
August 11th, 2025 at 7:58 am
Happy Birthday, Sage of Tampa Bay Sports!
It’s not Cosmic donuts, but Krispy Kreme has a free donut and coffee for your birthday today!
August 11th, 2025 at 8:07 am
Happy B Day IRA!!! Thank You for everything that you do…
August 11th, 2025 at 8:09 am
The Sage! Did a bunch of yard work Sunday and listened to Ira’s podcast with my son and we wished it was longer. So much better to hear Ira than to read his miserable picks in the Tribune years ago. 🙂 He cost me a few bucks.
Happy Birthday!!!
August 11th, 2025 at 8:13 am
Happy Birthday Ira!!!! Ira was a great addition to your team. His experience and contacts definitely add a quality to Joe Bucs Fan that your competitor’s lack.
August 11th, 2025 at 8:14 am
Happy Birthday and many more, Ira!
August 11th, 2025 at 8:19 am
Enjoy your B day Irv – and here’s to many more…..
August 11th, 2025 at 8:32 am
Happy Birthday Ira!
Looking forward to seeing you at Todd Wright’s Fantasy Football draft again this year!
August 11th, 2025 at 8:34 am
“Ira’s secret is golf, tennis, speed walking on buffet lines, and juking old women in Publix aisles.” And 90 minute naps! You’re still bringing it strong Sage.
August 11th, 2025 at 8:36 am
Happy birthday Irv
August 11th, 2025 at 8:49 am
HBD Ira! Sorry you’re not allowed to retire but you’re not
August 11th, 2025 at 8:51 am
Happy Birthday Ira!!
August 11th, 2025 at 8:54 am
happy bday Ira!!!…cold one on me lol
GO BUCS!!!!
August 11th, 2025 at 8:59 am
Beers for Ira! Beers for Ira!
Happy birthday, Sage. Still bringing superb content after 50 years of sports journalism.
August 11th, 2025 at 9:03 am
Happy birthday! We’re both Leo’s over there Sage!
August 11th, 2025 at 9:05 am
Happy birthday, Uncle Ira! Look forward to the updates on how the day was!
August 11th, 2025 at 9:07 am
Happy birthday Mr Sage!!!!
Wish you another great year to you Sir………..
August 11th, 2025 at 9:08 am
Happy Birthday Ira!!!
And big thanks to Jamies and The Tampa Tribune for allowing us to experience the GOATS!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!
August 11th, 2025 at 9:33 am
Happy Birthday. One of my greatest thrills was chatting with you last year and as we talked, my childhood hero Doug Williams, walked right by us.
August 11th, 2025 at 9:50 am
Happy Birthday to my favourite NFL journalist!!! I absorb as much Bucs content as I can, but Ira is always my go to source for Bucs content.
August 11th, 2025 at 9:53 am
Happy B Day Ira. I used to read your columns in the Tribune when here from Ca on vac. Then you disappeared. I only discovered later the paper went belly up. I went well the Times surely brought this guy on, he is the best writer around. I could not believe you were not with the Times. Later I discovered you here and have been a fan of you and Joe since.
keep up the great work and don’t give your dog donuts.
August 11th, 2025 at 10:02 am
Hey Ira, Happy Birthday!
August 11th, 2025 at 10:19 am
It’s nice, on your birthday, to be able to be thankful for all your blessings. The Sage has alot to be thankful for. Even Cosmo can see that.
August 11th, 2025 at 10:36 am
Happy Birthday Ira! Thanks for all the great work!
August 11th, 2025 at 11:10 am
Happy Birthday Ira!
August 11th, 2025 at 12:10 pm
Happy Birthday Ira!! Have some coconut donut cake and keep up the great work!!
August 11th, 2025 at 12:24 pm
Happy birthday
August 11th, 2025 at 12:25 pm
Happy Birthday Ira! You’re podcasts make my day when they are released.
On another note….I know “this Joe” is NOT a car guy, but please, please, please, enough with the “Ford Mustang Escape – Cheey Red” and “Mustang Rousch”
Repeat after me, Joe, “Cherry red Ford Mustang Escape” and “Rousch Mustang”. Otherwise, I love the Joes.
August 11th, 2025 at 12:40 pm
Happy birthday Ira!!!
You, Lee and Steve are the best Bucs journalists out there. I always had a hard time getting Bucs news living out of the area most of my life being in the military and work relocation. I’ve been a day one listener to your podcast and became a huge fan of Joe Bucs fan shortly after that. I was blessed to meet the Sage in NOLA for the Fitzmagic/Brees duel in 2018 with Port Richey Lou and the Outlaws.
Keep up the great work brother!!!
August 11th, 2025 at 1:07 pm
Happy Birthday Sage from the state of the Ain’t! Hope you enjoy your day!
August 11th, 2025 at 1:15 pm
Happy Birthday Ira! I’ve been a fan since the Tribune days. I was so happy when Joe hired you after the Tribune went out of business, I made an excited call to my dad. We will toast you at lunch tomorrow.
August 11th, 2025 at 1:31 pm
At Manning’s bar, right? Fun time.
August 11th, 2025 at 3:49 pm
@Joe Yes! Archie Manning came and spoke with us. I was talking to him for a little bit and didn’t realize it was him until later.
I’d love to attend an away trip like that again.
August 11th, 2025 at 3:51 pm
Happy Birthday, Irv!
August 11th, 2025 at 4:28 pm
Happy Birthday 🎁🎊🎂!!
August 11th, 2025 at 4:42 pm
Happy Birthday Sage!
August 11th, 2025 at 4:53 pm
Happy Birthday Uncle Ira!