Mike Evans’ pursuit of the all-time record for consecutive 1,000-yard seasons takes a backseat to his ultimate goal: another Super Bowl ring.
TAMPA, Fla. – There’s no doubt Mike Evans is chasing greatness, but make no mistake about it, another Super Bowl Ring is his main focus, and he’s just taking it day by day.
“I’m super blessed to be doing this,” Evans said. “We’ve got a great team.”
The 12th-year veteran wasn’t able to get a touchdown in the Bucs’ opening day win over Atlanta. Still, just his presence on the field opens up opportunities for some of the other receivers, like rookie Emeka Egbuka. Egbuka caught two Baker Mayfield touchdown passes, and head coach Todd Bowles says defenses always seem to focus on trying to contain Evans first.
READ: Bucs WR Sterling Shepard’s Second Act: From New Jersey To Tampa On The Rock Stops Here
“He’s (Evans) going to command two or three guys sometimes,” Bowles said. “That opens up the run game, and it opens up other receivers, the tight ends, it helps the quarterback get his reads a lot quicker. Mike does a lot of things even when he’s not getting the ball.”
Evans says he’s never felt better at the beginning of a season and is tied with Jerry Rice for 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
How ironic that if Evans beats Jerry Rice’s record for most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, he’ll do it in the historic 50th year of the Bucs’ history.
“It’s going to align perfect, at the right time,” Evans said. “Coincidental, I’ll take it. “This will be a good year. Hopefully, I can get the record and we can win a lot of games.
Believe it or not, Evans did not grow up a Bucs fan, he liked the Colts, but he is a historian. Evans loves to hear the stories about old Bucs and Buccaneer games and milestones with all these 50th year celebrations.
READ: Bucs Baker Mayfield And Wife Give Back To Tampa Bay
“Hearing all the stories of the front office, the players of the past, all the great moments that’s happened in the Bucs’ history, I’m looking forward to hearing that.”
Winning his first Super Bowl with Tom Brady and his teammates certainly was at the top of his Buccaneer career. But Evans said last season, tying Jerry Rice’s record at home with so much on the line was the craziest moment in his entire football career. Evans got the nine-yard catch in the 4th quarter of the Bucs Week 18 game against the New Orleans Saints.
“One of the craziest moments I’ve ever been a part of,” Evans said. “It was the loudest I’ve heard Raymond James Stadium. A top-five moment. To tie Jerry Rice, the best receiver to ever do it.”
The seventh overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft has always been about team first.
Evans and the Bucs play the Houston Texans at 7 p.m. on Monday in Houston.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
