TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Bucs’ offensive lineman Cody Mauch is in his second year in the NFL, which means he is spending another Christmas in paradise.
For locals in Tampa Bay, having a warm winter is common. But for others, like Mauch, it’s a little different.
Mauch is from a small, cozy town filled with 850 people in North Dakota. He was born and raised in Hankinson and spent every Christmas there. He comes from a big family where holidays are never boring.
“Both sets (of) my grandparents have 18 grandkids, so it’s pretty crazy on both sides growing up, just going down to the basement playing with all the cousins, just breaking all the lights in the basement,” Mauch said.
You can take the boy out of North Dakota, but you can take the North Dakota out of the boy.
“We have fun down here,” Mauch said. “My family came out last year and we went out this year. So at least we get to be with our family, but I would much rather prefer the snow.”
“I think the best part is, of all the places to get drafted, is this. This is a place where my family is happy to come visit,” Mauch added. “Maybe if we were in a little bit colder place, they would not come out as much as they do. We have family here every single home game and a lot in the off-season.”