Bucs coach Todd Bowles drops poker face to express excitement for NFL's opening day: 'You always have the butterflies'

Todd Bowles is generally not one to wear his heart on his sleeve — or anywhere else, for that matter.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach has been known for his calm demeanor and stoicism during his decade-plus on NFL sidelines. It's rare to see him get worked up one way or another.

But he took a different tack Wednesday. When asked at a news conference about his feelings regarding Sunday's season opener against the Washington Commanders, Bowles let it all hang out.

"It's exciting," Bowles proclaimed while slamming his hands on the podium.

He and the Bucs press corps then broke out in laughter, everyone in on the joke.

"That's a meme, coach," one reporter off-camera responded as Bowles continued to smile.

"You always have the butterflies when you go out there," Bowles continued. "I mean, it's opening day in the NFL."

Laughter continued to ensue, from both Bowles and media members in attendance.

It was a rare moment of public emotional candor from the Bucs coach, and it's indicative of the buzz that comes with the start of a fresh season for all 32 NFL teams, the media who cover them and their fans. Few times are more hopeful for teams across the NFL than the moments leading up to opening day.

While uncommon, Wednesday wasn't the first time we've seen Bowles let loose. He let out a similar scream during a 2017 news conference while the head coach of the New York Jets.

The occasion that day? Reporters had run out of questions to ask him.