The Hillsborough County adaptive sports team is preparing to compete on the national stage in the USA Wheelchair Football League
The final whistle blew on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wheelchair Football Team's last practice earlier this week, but the work is far from over. After weeks of preparation, the Hillsborough County Adaptive Sports team is heading to Chicago for its first tournament of the 2026 season.
Players spent their final practice at Lesley "Les" Miller Jr. All People's Community Park & Life Center sharpening plays, working on fundamentals, and building the chemistry they will need when they take the field this weekend. Now, they are preparing to put that work to the test against some of the top wheelchair football teams in the nation.
Mathew Gardner, who is in his sixth year with the team, was born with a disability and has used a wheelchair his entire life. As a lifelong football fan, Gardner says adaptive sports have given him the outlet to participate in something he's passionate about.
"I saw the opportunity at All People's Park and that's what sparked my interest in wheelchair football," said Gardner. "Wheelchair football has given me the ability to play the sport that I loved growing up and compete with similar folks in my situation."
The team is set to compete Aug. 22-23 at the 2026 USA Wheelchair Football League Chicago Tournament at Wintrust Financial Campus in Rosemont, Illinois. Seven teams from across the nation will compete, including teams representing Atlanta, Birmingham, Chicago, Cleveland, New England, Tampa Bay, and the Wounded Warrior Abilities Ranch.
For the Tampa Bay Wheelchair Football Team, the tournament is an opportunity to showcase the hard work that has gone into preparing for the 2026 season.
For players on the team like Gardner, it's more than a game. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wheelchair Football Team is a community.
"For me growing up, I wasn't around a lot of disabled individuals. I was always trying to hide my disability," said Gardner. "Being around this team has allowed me to be more comfortable, not only with myself, but with the disabled community as a whole."
Competing on the national stage
The USA Wheelchair Football League (USAWFL) is a program of Move United and is designed to give adults with physical disabilities the opportunity to compete in a fast-paced, team-based version of football. The league combines elements of traditional football with adaptive rules and competition is played in sport wheelchairs.
Since 2020, more than 1,200 service members, athletes with disabilities, coaches, and officials have joined the program, which promotes building skills, confidence, and community on and off the field.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wheelchair Football Team is managed by Hillsborough County Adaptive Sports and is one of the teams competing in the 2026 USAWFL season. Teams can have up to 21 players, with up to 14 players traveling to competitions.
This weekend's tournament is one of four regular-season USAWFL tournaments scheduled for the 2026 season. Following Chicago, teams have the opportunity to compete in Phoenix in September, Atlanta in October, and Dallas in November before the season-ending championship.
Brad Kendell is a rookie and is traveling with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wheelchair Football Team for the first time. Kendell lost his legs in a 2003 plane crash that took the life of his father and a friend. Kendell says adaptive sports have helped him navigate life despite the tragedy.
"Adaptive sports are very important. Not only for people my age or older, but for the youth," said Kendell. "For the kids to get out and realize they can still play a sport despite a disability is just so important."
Adaptive Sports in Hillsborough County
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wheelchair Football Team is one of several opportunities available through Hillsborough County's Adaptive Sports program, which provides recreational and competitive sports opportunities for people with disabilities.
Through Adaptive Sports, Hillsborough County works to make sports accessible to residents of different abilities and skill levels, providing opportunities to participate, develop skills, build relationships, and compete.
For players on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wheelchair Football Team, it's also a chance to play alongside teammates, challenge themselves, and represent Hillsborough County on a national stage.
Learn more about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wheelchair Football Team, including player requirements for anyone interested in joining.
Be sure to check out the Adaptive Sports program to discover all the ways Hillsborough County is making sports accessible for all residents.