On Jan. 25, 2003, the night before Super Bowl XXXVII, Bucs players gathered in a San Diego hotel meeting room for pregame mass. The following night, they became world champions. First things first. Monsignor was rolling.
"We always loved his homilies and pep talks," Bucs great John Lynch said. "I can still hear his Irish accent. 'You strive to do your best and win the race! You have to fight and fight hard!' I'll never forget the one before the Super Bowl. He brought it all. Monsignor was sweating by the end and his cheeks were all red.