While the NFL and Pokémon exist in entirely different worlds, they share surprising similarities when it comes to fandom. Just as fans choose their favorite Pokémon based on traits ranging from their unique personalities and backstories to pure skill and ability, NFL fans gravitate toward their favorite players for some of the same reasons.
Drawing comparisons between the two helps highlight what makes each player unique, and why fans connect with them on and off the field.
Buccaneers Players and their Pokémon Counterparts
Baker Mayfield as Charmander
In the Pokémon TV series, protagonist Ash’s Ketchum's Charmander has an origin story rooted in rejection, resilience, and redemption—a story that strikingly mirrors that of Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Once a No. 1 overall pick and Heisman Trophy winner, Mayfield was cast aside due to a combination of injuries, poor performances, and constant team changes. Similarly, Charmander was abandoned by his original trainer, who didn’t believe he was strong enough to be worth the effort of developing.
Perhaps as a result of the adversity they’ve overcome throughout their respective journeys, both Mayfield and Charmander are characterized by passion, toughness, and an eternal chip on their shoulder.
In Tampa Bay, surrounded by a supporting cast that believed in him, Mayfield didn’t just rediscover his fire, he evolved. Like Charmander, who evolved into the mighty and fearless Charizard once placed in the right hands, Mayfield has similarly found the environment needed to reach his full potential, and he has developed into one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks.
Mike Evans as Pikachu
Mike Evans is to the Buccaneers what Pikachu is to the Pokémon franchise: the undisputed face of the brand. Even casual football fans or those unfamiliar with Tampa Bay recognize Evans as the heart of the team.
Fittingly, Evans was general manager Jason Licht’s first-ever draft pick in 2014, just as Pikachu was Ash Ketchum’s first partner Pokémon. Both pairings proved to be perfect foundations for everything that followed.
A consistent playmaker and proven leader, Evans brings elite physical talent, Hall of Fame production, and unmatched dependability every time he steps on the field — a standard he’s maintained for over a decade.
Just like Pikachu, he’s instantly recognizable, universally beloved and respected, and sparks life into the entire team around him.
Chris Godwin as Lucario
Lucario is described in the Pokédex as reserved, serious, and fiercely loyal—three traits that also define Chris Godwin both on and off the field.
Godwin is a team-first leader who does the dirty work, stays quiet, and delivers results year after year. His loyalty was on full display when he turned down a more lucrative offer from the New England Patriots this offseason to remain in Tampa Bay.
While Mike Evans gets most of the headlines, Godwin has quietly built a prolific career of his own, solidifying himself as the second-best receiver in Buccaneers' history and one of the most reliable players in the league.
Just like Lucario, Godwin doesn’t seek the spotlight. He lets his actions do the talking, earning the respect of teammates and opponents alike with his reliability and skill.
Lavonte David as Alakazam
Alakazam is one of the oldest and wisest Pokémon in the franchise, known primarily for its focus and intelligence. There’s no better match for the longest-tenured Buccaneer, Lavonte David.
Entering what could be his final season, David remains the heart and soul of Tampa Bay’s defense. At 35 years old, he may not be the fastest or flashiest anymore, but like Alakazam, his instincts, experience, and elite awareness make him just as dangerous as ever.
David is beloved by Bucs fans and in the locker room for his leadership, toughness, and loyalty. Quietly elite, always prepared, and still performing at a high level after all these years, Lavonte is the Alakazam of Tampa Bay.
Bucky Irving as Psyduck
This one might be low-hanging fruit, but it’s too perfect to pass up. Bucky Irving played college football for the Oregon Ducks, and that Duck has become an instant fan favorite in Tampa Bay.
Like Psyduck, Irving is unassuming at first glance. At just 5-foot-10 and under 200 pounds, he isn’t as physically intimidating as some of his NFL counterparts, but behind his under-the-radar athletic profile lies pure explosiveness and playmaking ability, and that’s what makes him so fun to root for.
Psyduck may be comic relief in the Pokémon series, but behind the quirky energy lies an ability to unleash surprising power on opponents. Irving brings that same dynamic presence to the Buccaneers’ offense, making defenders miss and fans cheer "Bucky!" every time he touches the ball.
Tez Johnson as Piplup
Johnson, the Buccaneers' seventh-round draft choice in the 2025 NFL Draft, is the lightest player in the NFL at only 154 pounds.
Despite his small size, Johnson is an explosive playmaker, and his introductory Buccaneers press conference revealed his magnetic personality and extreme confidence, making him a fan-favorite before ever taking a snap for Tampa Bay.
Piplup, a main character in the animated series, is a fan-favorite within the Pokemon franchise. He is known for his small size, but also his prideful nature and refusal to back down from any challenge or opponent, drawing strong similarities to Johnson.
Vita Vea as Snorlax
Snorlax is one of the most iconic Pokémon in the franchise, known for his massive size and his infamous role in blocking the player's path forward in the video game series.
Vita Vea plays a similar role in the heart of the Buccaneers’ defense, serving as a roadblock for opposing offenses trying to run the ball in his direction. At over 340 pounds with surprising explosiveness, Vea brings a rare mix of size, strength, and athleticism that makes him a nightmare to line up against
Like Snorlax, Vea is dominant, disruptive, and always in the way.
Tristan Wirfs as Machamp
Tristan Wirfs has been a star since stepping into the league in 2020, quickly establishing himself as one of the NFL’s best offensive linemen.
He’s the first player in league history to earn All-Pro honors at both right and left tackle, and with his rare combination of size, athleticism, and technique, the 26-year-old is already on a Hall of Fame trajectory.
Machamp is known for his unmatched strength, able to overwhelm opponents with raw power and polished technique. Like Wirfs, it’s not just about brute force—Machamp has mastered every form of martial arts, just as Wirfs has mastered the intricate details of his position that make him elite.
Both Wirfs and Machamp are freak athletes built to dominate anyone lined up in front of them, a home-run comparison to cap off this list.
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