Happy Birthday To Ira Kaufman, The Sage!
August 11th, 2026
Ira Kaufman is older than Whoopi Goldberg, Bill Gates and Larry Bird, but he’s a big kid at heart — and still hungry to cover the Buccaneers and inform the “Buc faithful,” as Ira calls them.
Joe’s giving a standing ovation to the iconic JoeBucsFan.com columnist, podcast legend and serial schmoozer, the Sage of Tampa Bay Sports. Happy birthday, Ira!
Joe’s not making a big fuss over Ira’s birthday because his big 2026 celebration will be in September, marking the 50th anniversary of his stunning career in sports media. (Joe’s working a few special happenings for that.)
Ira’s first official NFL beat was covering the New York Giants in 1979. He moved on to Tampa in 1985, where he’s become an institution.
Ira’s secret is golf, tennis, chasing his beloved dog Cosmo and limiting his tater tot intake to a small handful in one sitting.
The Sage recently entered his Year 11 at JoeBucsFan.com. What a trooper! Joe looks forward to Ira contributing here for a long, long time, and to continuing on as a Pro Football Hall of Fame selector. The Hall desperately needs Ira’s wisdom — not only from his 50-plus years of perspective, but Ira has been in his Hall of Fame role for 20-plus years. Joe expects Kaufman will respect the Hall enough — and the Tampa Bay area — to retain his seat.
You can send Ira birthday love in the comments below, or hit him up on Twitter @ikaufman76.
Lastly, the Tampa Bay Times bought The Tampa Tribune 10 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 needling Ronald Jones in 2019.
August 11th, 2026 at 9:44 am
Happy Birthday, Sage! 🎉
Here’s to another lap around the sun—and many more blessings along the way. 🥂☀️
August 11th, 2026 at 9:51 am
Happy Birthday Ira!!!!
is that a Bethune Cookman wildcat hat Sage is rockin!!!!!…Hail Wildcats!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
August 11th, 2026 at 9:53 am
Happy Birthday Sage!
You are doing great for your age – breathing and everything!!
August 11th, 2026 at 9:59 am
Happy Birthday my friend. Keep up the great work and may you have an awesome day.
August 11th, 2026 at 10:15 am
Ira looks great for 80 years old!!!!!!!
August 11th, 2026 at 10:17 am
Happy birthday Ira!
August 11th, 2026 at 10:18 am
Where’s the mustache picture?
August 11th, 2026 at 10:22 am
You share a Birthday with Hulk Hogan.
Happy birthday, Brother!
August 11th, 2026 at 10:55 am
Happy Birthday, Ira! We better get at least another decade outta you!
August 11th, 2026 at 10:59 am
Happy Birthday, Sage. Keep up the always great work!
August 11th, 2026 at 11:04 am
Happy “your day” Ira…..Here’s a toast of a nice cold one to you for many more!
August 11th, 2026 at 11:13 am
Ira, happy birthday 🎂 old man!!
August 11th, 2026 at 11:20 am
Happy happy!!