:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71815711/Pirate.0.jpeg "Mississippi State to wear pirate helmets in tribute to Mike Leach (PHOTO)")
The City of Tampa holds a pirate festival every January called Gasparilla, around which much of the region builds an entire culture. But the season kicks off a bit earlier this year with the Mississippi State Bulldogs honoring their recently-passed head coach Mike Leach by wearing a helmet with the Jolly Roger on it for their ReliaQuest Bowl matchup with the Illinois Fighting Illini on Monday at Raymond James Stadium.
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– Mississippi State Athletics (@HailState) January 2, 2023