Through the years, it’s develop into more and more uncommon for anybody to be a “one-team guy.” That’s why it felt so particular for the just lately retired Lavonte David to go wire-to-wire with the Bucs, and it’s why it stung a lot when Mike Evans – as soon as checked out as a lock to be a profession Buccaneer – left this offseason to signal with the San Francisco 49ers.
In a single offseason, two gamers who everybody needed to spend their complete careers with the Bucs confronted powerful choices on their futures. It was all the time going to be the Bucs or retirement for David, and ultimately, he selected retirement and joined the likes of Lee Roy Selmon, Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber and Mike Alstott as profession Bucs.
Evans, alternatively, selected a unique path. He went the way in which that his former quarterback, Tom Brady, went after 20 seasons with the Patriots. Brady moved on and, to the shock of so many, grew to become a two-team man. He spent three seasons in Tampa Bay and received a Tremendous Bowl – his seventh – in his very first yr in pink and pewter. Evans wound up going that route himself. After 12 seasons with the Bucs, he went to the opposite coast and have become a 49er.
Bucs WR Mike Evans and QB Tom Brady – Picture by: USA As we speak
The time period “Buc for life” feels prefer it took on much more that means a yr in the past because the franchise celebrated its fiftieth season, with numerous Bucs of yesteryear returning to Tampa to be celebrated for his or her contributions to the town and group. And by all accounts, Evans continues to be a Buc for all times, even when his illustrious profession will end in a unique Bay Space.
Evans is the very best offensive participant in franchise historical past, with 11 1,000-yard seasons, six Professional Bowls and a Tremendous Bowl ring to his identify in a Tampa Bay uniform. He’ll nonetheless go into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer, and when he hangs up his cleats, might be welcomed again to Raymond James Stadium sooner somewhat than later for his Bucs Ring of Honor induction.
Evans’ departure, although, means he received’t be in that uncommon group of profession Bucs like everybody thought he could be. David is in that firm now, however Evans in the end can’t be. It’s a actuality that’s nonetheless sinking in with the Buccaneer trustworthy, particularly as photographs and movies of Evans in 49er pink, white and gold have emerged. And that actuality is one thing that these beloved profession Bucs had been requested about by FOX 13’s Mark Skol Jr. in a current interview.
So, What Did Three Iconic Profession Bucs Assume Of Mike Evans’ Choice?
Ronde Barber, Derrick Brooks and Mike Alstott had been all requested about Mike Evans’ choice to depart Tampa, and every of them provided a singular perspective on the state of affairs.
Up first was Barber, who was with the Bucs from 1997-2012. First, the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame cornerback provided up some perception into whether or not he was ever near leaving Tampa Bay earlier than getting additional into Evans’ choice to move elsewhere.
“I know neither one of them (Brooks and Alstott) were, but I was close. I was close once. Rich McKay made me a free agent and said, ‘Go test the market,’” Barber stated with fun. “So, I did. And I ended up again in Tampa as a result of the market wasn’t talking to me.
“But I think we could all answer this the same way. It’s unfortunate that Mike made a decision to go there because we all have a lot invested in the emotional bank account of this city, of the team, of our ownership. The Glazers are great, and they would’ve been great to Mike if he would’ve stayed here.”
Barber continued.
“But he made a family decision, and that’s the right decision for him. I knew personally… I was never leaving here. I like what this town has given me and I never want this town to feel like I wasn’t part of it. Now that happens to a lot of players. It happened to some of our best teammates. But for me personally, I had the opportunity to stay. I was never gonna leave.”
The tip of Brooks’ profession in Tampa Bay was totally different from Barber’s and Alstott’s, because the legendary linebacker was in the end minimize in 2009. However he by no means went elsewhere, as an alternative calling it a profession after 14 seasons – all with the Bucs. The 11-time Professional Bowler and Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer targeted extra on the place Evans ended up earlier than saying that he’ll nonetheless all the time be a Buccaneer to him.
Bucs legend Derrick Brooks – Picture by: USA As we speak
“I totally understand it. At the same time, he’s going to an organization of a great friend of ours, with John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan. There’s some solace in that for me, knowing John’s gonna appreciate everything Mike has done,” Brooks stated. “But obviously putting him in the best position to be successful, Kyle is, in what they’re asking him to do. So, I just want to see him succeed. He’s gonna always be a Buccaneer to me. And as Ronde said, he made the right decision when it comes to his career for his family. And I’m proud of that for him.”
In the long run, it was Mike Alsott who appeared to sum all of it up completely. The “A-Train” was a six-time Professional Bowler and three-time All-Professional throughout his profession, which spanned from 1996-2006. He spent every of these 11 seasons with the Bucs, and he shared the blunt reality when it was his flip to talk on Evans and his profession taking him out to San Francisco.
“Everybody will forget it when he’s announced in the Hall of Fame as a Buccaneer, when it’s all said and done,” Alstott stated. “Nobody’s gonna remember these next three years and stuff like that. They’ve all done it. All the greats have done it, [Joe] Montana… They’ve all done it. So again, Mike Evans is a Buc for life and he’s a legend here. We’ve just got to respect his decision.”
Bucs legend Mike Alstott – Picture by: IMAGN Photographs – Reinhold Matay
How proper is that? Joe Montana is remembered as a 49er, not a Chief. Emmitt Smith is far more Cowboy than Cardinal. Jerry Rice is extra 49er than Raider. Brett Favre is a Packer, not a Jet or a Viking. And sure, though he received a Tremendous Bowl in Tampa Bay, Tom Brady is remembered by all non-Bucs followers extra for being a Patriot than a Buc.
So ultimately, no matter any successes Evans has in San Francisco over the rest of his profession, Alstott is true. He’ll be extra of a Buc than a 49er, and his post-Bucs profession is more likely to find yourself being a footnote when he’s inducted into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame as a Buccaneer.
That will not make anybody really feel higher when watching him in pink, gold and white this yr, however take it from three iconic profession Bucs: Mike Evans will all the time be a Buccaneer.
WATCH: “Everybody will forget it when he is announced in the Hall of Fame as a Buccaneer.”
Ronde Barber, Derrick Brooks and Mike Alstott performed for the #Bucs their complete careers.
Whereas they need Mike Evans stayed in Tampa like them, they’re glad he’ll group up w/John Lynch. pic.twitter.com/TgSefmvXmK
