Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans has accomplished something no other receiver has in the history of the NFL.
Sunday against the Carolina Panthers Evans reached the 1,000 receiving yard mark on the season. The 10th time in a row to start his career. Yes, Mike Evans has reached or surpassed 1,000 yards in each of his first 10 seasons in the league.
Evans spoke about this with ESPN recently,
“It’s what you want as a kid. That’s what we dream about. I’ve always dreamed about this, I’ve always been a huge fan of sports. I always said, ‘One day, I want to be one of those guys. There’s plenty of them. But I’m happy that I’m one of them. … It seems surreal at times, but I’m in the moment. So maybe when I’m long gone from the game, I’ll look back and really think about what I’ve done.”
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield chimed in on Evans during the postgame press conference
“I really don’t have words to describe what he just did in his career to accomplish that for [10] seasons in a row,” Mayfield stated. “And I’m pretty damn happy that I wasn’t the guy to break that streak to be honest with you. But more happy for Mike. That’s amazing. He’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and nobody can take that away from him. … It’s truly special. It’s one of those things you’ll look back on and be able to cherish that moment, that you were a part of it.”
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles on Evans accomplishments,
“I don’t know how much more you can say,” Bowles tild the media. “He’s been like this for 10 years now. Over 60 catches 10 years in a row. Over 1,000 yards 10 years in a row. You know he’s getting the ball and everybody’s trying to stop him, and he makes plays over and over. It’s a credit to him, his work ethic, the way he approaches the game. Unbelievable.”
There’s only two other receivers that can lay claim to Evans 10 consecutive 1,000 yard seasons. That would be Randy Moss and Jerry Rice, neither of which did it in their first ten years like Evans. Some rare company indeed.