Bucs linemen prank rookies with fake $26K bill

It's almost become a training camp tradition for veteran players to stick the rookies with the tab at a team dinner. At this point, rookies expect it.

So, with that in mind, the Buccaneers put their own spin on the prank.

At a team dinner Wednesday at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Jacksonville, rookie Bucs linemen Korren Kirven and Cole Gardner were left to pay a $26,357.31 bill. Or so they thought. That would have been a lot to ask of two top picks, but Kirven and Gardner are undrafted rookies. They could breathe easy, though, because it was all a joke.

Upon looking at the bill, items like "birthday" and "anniversary" desserts were listed along with $10,000 of Louis XIII. Plus, even if we're counting the tight ends, that would give the Bucs 21 players on their offensive line. This was an O-line dinner, and 35 steaks (and a pasta entree) were ordered. Linemen can eat a lot, but not that much a day before a game. No chance.

Bucs tackle Donovan Smith revealed on Twitter that it was all a joke.

According to ESPN, the actual tab was $3,000 and the veterans did not force the two undrafted rookies to pay at all.

"We didn't have to pay for anything. We were shocked at first when we saw the bill. We thought we weren't gonna make it. But at the end, knowing they paid it was pretty cool of them."

Let's just hope the Hard Knocks cameras were present for this prank because that will make for some hilarious television.

(Thanks to Bleacher Report for sharing)