Mike Evans
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
| Position | College | Years in the NFL |
|---|---|---|
| Wide Receiver | Texas A&M University | 11 |
EXCELLENCE ON THE FIELD
Since his arrival in Tampa in 2014, Mike Evans has defined what it means to be a Buccaneer. Selected seventh overall in the 2014 NFL Draft, he has been a model of consistency and elite performance, surpassing 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first 10 seasons, becoming the first player in NFL history to post 1,000 or more receiving yards in each of their first 10 seasons surpassing the previous record held by Randy Moss at six. Now in his 11th season, Evans has further cemented himself in franchise history, becoming the 11th player in NFL history to record 100 touchdown receptions while now occupying the role of the Buccaneers' all-time scoring leader, joining Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice as the only non-kickers to hold a franchise lead in points scored. A Super Bowl LV Champion and five-time Pro Bowler, Evans holds the franchise record in touchdown receptions, total touchdowns, receiving yards and receptions, and for the last eight seasons, has been named a Buccaneers captain.
DEMONSTRATES POSITIVE CHARACTER & MODELS A LIFESTYLE OF GIVING BACK
In his 11 years in Tampa, Mike Evans has put together a Hall of Fame resume for his incredible on-field performance and his off-the-field commitment to improving the lives of others. He is an invaluable member of the Buccaneers locker room and is without a doubt one of the most respected individuals in the building. Evans is a giver without asking for anything in return, steadfast in helping others while reluctant to bask in the praise that comes with that. Having overcome tremendous adversity throughout his life, he has committed himself to affording children the opportunities to avoid similar environments to the ones he endured early in life. He stays true to his values and is a family man – a wonderful father, a loving husband, and someone who represents the best of the team and the National Football League. Evans is a man of character and integrity, and it is with great honor that we present him as our 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee.
DEDICATION & COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY EFFORTS
THIS YEAR
Over the course of the year, Mike Evans has continued his commitment to bettering his community and empowering the next generation. Through the Mike Evans Family Foundation, Evans has worked to provide opportunities for young people in the form of college scholarships. This past year, Evans awarded a record 13 scholarships of $10,000 and two $20,000 scholarships for a total of $170,000 across 15 graduating high school seniors. To assist families in need, Evans has committed to donating an essential item for every yard he accrues throughout the NFL season, continuing this tradition this past year. For the 2023-24 season, the Mike Evans Family Foundation donated 1,632 items to families and children in need to The Spring of Tampa Bay and Children's Home Network. Throughout the holidays, Evans will continue his spirit of giving through his annual Halloween Spooktacular, Thanksgiving meal drives, and his Catch for Christmas event. For Halloween, Evans hosted 13 families at the Florida Aquarium for an evening of trick-or-treating and face painting, providing a hot meal and gifts for everyone in attendance. Leading into the holiday season, Evans works with community organizations to distribute Thanksgiving meals to families in need before hosting a holiday party for 13 local, underprivileged students at the Buccaneers practice facility. At his Catch for Christmas event, each student is surprised with hand-selected gifts and a Mike Evans jersey throughout an afternoon spent with Evans and his family at the team's AdventHealth Training Center. This past year, Evans hosted his annual youth football camp in his hometown of Galveston, Texas, and for the first time, expanded outside the sport of football by also putting on a youth basketball league. Both events were free of charge and designed to teach valuable lessons both on and off the field. And when disaster struck, Evans sprang into action. Following the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton on the Tampa Bay area, the Mike Evans Family Foundation donated $50,000 to aid in relief efforts.
IN YEARS PAST
Throughout his career, Mike Evans has been committed to improving the lives of others. Alongside his wife, Ashli, he founded the Mike Evans Family Foundation in 2017 with the mission to make a difference in the lives of children and families in need. Since then, he has established programming designed to do just that by way of the Mike Evans Family Foundation annual scholarship program, having awarded over half a million dollars in scholarship money to high school seniors since 2021. Beginning in the 2020-21 postseason, the Mike Evans Family Foundation started its Catch for Kids program, tying Evans' on-field performance to his off the field giving. For every yard he earns during the season, one essential item is donated to help others, and for every touchdown he scores, 13 additional items are donated. Since the program was established, nearly 5,000 essential items have been donated to organizations based in Tampa, as well as his hometown of Galveston, Texas. Since his arrival in Tampa, he has helped provide unforgettable experiences to local youth, donating tickets for every Buccaneers home game to underprivileged kids. He currently donates a team-high of 30 tickets per game and has increased his giving throughout his career. Evans is committed to helping kids succeed on the field as well, hosting the Mike Evans Family Foundation Youth Football Camp annually in Galveston. Working with his former high school coaches, local businesses and community members, Evans hosts the camp free of charge. Open to ages 8-14, the camp includes football training with Evans, lunch, and fun activities to build leadership, confidence, and other life skills. During the holiday season, Evans prioritizes giving back. In 2021, the Mike Evans Family Foundation created multiple events to give back to the Tampa community, surprising the staff and kids at Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay with gifts and jerseys. That same year, he hosted a shopping spree for 13 kids from the Children's Home Network, a Tampa organization that helps victims of neglect and abuse. The last two years, Evans has hosted his Catch for Christmas event for 13 deserving students at the Buccaneers facility at the AdventHealth Training Center, surprising each with a jersey, lunch, and games out on the practice fields. He also gave the group a behind-the-scenes tour of the facility, ending in the auditorium where the stage was full of hand-selected gifts for each student.
