TAMPA \u2014 History is what they share as the only NFL players to produce 11 straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons.<\/p>\n
But Mike Evans and Jerry Rice were brought together by The Players\u2019 Tribune and the Lincoln Motor Company to film a commercial about their two-man club.<\/p>\n
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There\u2019s been no time to gloat about joining the GOAT after Evans tied Rice\u2019s record on the final play of the 2024 regular season against the Saints.<\/p>\n
Needing 5 yards to reach Rice\u2019s mark for consistency, Evans caught and short pass from Baker Mayfield and turned it upfield for 9 yards.<\/p>\n
Raymond James Stadium erupted, the Bucs bench emptied, and Evans nearly hyperventilated on his way to the locker room.<\/p>\n
In the offseason, Evans met Rice at a studio in Dallas to film the segment and discuss their shared piece of history.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was pretty cool, man,\u201d Evans said at minicamp Thursday. \u201cI had met Jerry briefly back in 2018, I think. It was really quick. And to be able to sit down and talk to the greatest receiver ever was pretty humbling. The things he had to say about me was a great moment for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
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It turns out Evans and Rice have a lot more in common than an unimaginable receiving record.<\/p>\n
Both began playing football late in their athletic careers. Rice, a self-described \u201cnerd\u201d with big hands and big feet, got caught skipping high school by his principal and was encouraged to go out for football because he could run fast. The son of a mason, Rice discovered he could catch more than bricks.<\/p>\n
Evans was primarily a basketball player until he was convinced to play football his senior year at Ball High School in Galveston, Texas.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is so surreal right now,\u201d Rice tells Evans in the commercial.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThis is surreal for me, that you know who I am first off,\u201d Evans replied.<\/p>\n
As Evans and Rice swapped secrets about their craft and talked football, the mutual admiration was evident.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou perfected route running in general. But the post corner is to me your best route and I learned running that route from you,\u201d Evans told Rice.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got to be able to sell routes,\u201d Rice said. \u201cYou got to make the opponent believe your first cut is where you\u2019re going to get the ball.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u2022 \u2022<\/p>\n
It\u2019s hard to believe Evans, who turns 32 in August, is entering his 12th season. He holds every Bucs receiving record and is a lock to wear a gold jacket at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n
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Evans is in the final season of a two-year, $41 million contract but he\u2019s not worried about that right now.<\/p>\n
As the Bucs offseason ended Thursday, Evans planned to follow his familiar routine.<\/p>\n
\u201cSame mindset,\u201d he said. \u201cPut in the work and get what you put in. So we\u2019re putting in a lot of work, the whole team has, enjoy this break and come back ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
When he returns, Evans believes he will be rejoining the best group of Bucs receivers he has ever played with.<\/p>\n
In addition to his wingman, Chris Godwin, the Bucs have Jalen McMillan and drafted Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka in the first round and Oregon\u2019s Tez Johnson in the seventh round. That doesn\u2019t include returning receivers such as Trey Palmer, Rakim Jarrett and Sterling Shepard.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI say it every year, but we always get great players coming in,\u201d Evans said. \u201cI\u2019ve been very fortunate in my career to be around a lot of great young players. They\u2019ve added to their role tremendously. They\u2019re polished already. Emeka has really strong hands and is super smart. …<\/p>\n
\u201cHe looks like a running back but he catches like Chris Godwin. He\u2019s very polished. A very well-rounded player.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the Bucs will have their fourth offensive coordinator in as many years with Josh Grizzard taking over the playcalling, Evans says he\u2019s grateful the scheme has not changed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love having that consistency with the playbook,\u201d he said. \u201cBecause it\u2019s really extremely hard to learn a new playbook, and for people who haven\u2019t played football, especially at this age, it\u2019s tough. But it makes it way easier for us. We can play fast. We don\u2019t have to think and then add things to it.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt\u2019s going to take this offense to the next level.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u2022 \u2022<\/p>\n
As the meeting with Rice ended, Evans presented him with matching gloves that read: \u201c11 straight 1,000-yard seasons\u201d and had the signatures of each player.<\/p>\n
Rice said he was rooting for Evans this year to reach 1,000 yards again so he can hold the record alone.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know I\u2019m pulling for you, right?\u201d Rice told him.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was another thing that was humbling about it,\u201d Evans said Thursday. \u201cYou know, how he received me and showed me love, so that was really cool. Hopefully I can do it. Early.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u2022 \u2022<\/p>\n
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