As Mike Evans cements his legacy among football’s greats, a new feature takes fans back to where it all began—his hometown of Galveston, Texas.
Fans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans think of touchdowns, catch videos, and marks that have changed the course of NFL history. To find out what drives him, you have to go back to Galveston, Texas, where it all began.
For his whole career, Evans has been known for wearing the No. 13 shirt, which he got as a rookie in 2014. He tied Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for the most consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons in NFL history with 11. He was chosen for six Pro Bowls and helped the Buccaneers win two Super Bowls.
Still, Evans's childhood friends say the real story started long before the big crowds and bright lights. Evans did very well in basketball and track as a teen at Ball High School, but during his final year, he switched to football, which would be a late shift that would change his life.
One friend said, "Mike was always athletic." "He was good at football right away, like he had done it all his life."
Evans is nearing the end of a long and successful career, but the ideals and work ethic he learned in Galveston still guide him.
To show that path, News Channel 8 went to the Texas Gulf Coast to talk to the people who know him best—those who saw him go from being a high school athlete who played many sports to one of the best receivers in the NFL.
Fans can see the whole story and more on News Channel 8 on Friday, OOctober 17, at 7 p.m., during the Bucs' 50 Seasons Celebration special.
