Mike Evans and Jerry Rice have long respected each other from afar.
The connection between the two legendary wide receivers is now a lot closer, with Evans set to sign with the same team that Rice made much of his NFL history with — the 49ers. Although M1K3 was unable to pass the all-time great with a 12th straight 1,000-yard season, game respects game. Appearing on 95.7 The Game on Tuesday, Rice had plenty to say about San Francisco’s new top wideout.
Jerry Rice Raves About 49ers Signing Mike Evans: “We Actually Got This Guy”
Before last season, Jerry Rice and Mike Evans chopped it up in a Lincoln SUV discussing greatness and career achievements. At the time, Rice was rooting for him to break a shared record of 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons, which was Evans’ trademark in Tampa Bay.
“You know I’m pulling for you, right?” Rice told Evans at the time. “That means more to me than you could ever know. I appreciate that OG,” Evans replied.
Their mutual admiration of one another continued on Tuesday, with Rice reacting to the news that Evans is joining the 49ers on a three-year, $42.4 million deal.
Legendary 49ers WR Jerry Rice – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Darren Yamashita
“I have had the opportunity to meet him,” Rice said, alluding to last year’s meet up. “He works hard, he leads by example, and he’s going to be accountable every day. That was something that was lacking — not saying the other guys didn’t bring fire or leadership. I think that with a veteran like that — here’s a guy that got over 800 receptions, over 13,000 yards, 108 touchdowns.
“The evidence is right there! It’s there, so now it’s just getting him in that mix, getting him comfortable on that football field. He and Brock [Purdy will] have to work together to build that chemistry. But I think he has all the tools, and players are going to sit back and watch this potential Hall of Famer go to work.”
From Tampa Bay’s perspective, there is no sugarcoating the loss of seeing Evans depart the only franchise he has called home.
During his 12 years with the Bucs, he established himself as the greatest offensive player in team history while being a fan favorite, not only for his play, but for how he impacted the community.
Legendary Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: IMAGN Images
That void will be felt in the wide receiver room, across the offense, in the locker room, and extending to the fanbase and city itself.
This is not just another player jumping ship.
This is Mike Evans, folks.
Unsurprisingly, Jerry Rice was thrilled about this turn of events working in San Francisco’s favor. This is the last thing fans want to hear right now, but even if this news has stung like a swarm of bees, Evans will always be remembered and cherished by Bucs faithful.
Should he get back to his pattern of excellence, it will only add to his Hall of Fame candidacy when he is one day enshrined in Canton, Ohio largely for what he accomplished in red and pewter.
“What happened [Monday] with Mike Evans is big,” Rice said. “It’s big — I’m serious— because now, we actually got this guy. He’s that threat that opposing teams are going to have to pay attention to. At 32, I felt like I was like a rookie. This guy’s still got a lot of fire, and what he brings to that locker room, too—the experience. To see this guy work every day, his preparation, these younger guys are going to be able to witness that. You can’t even put a price on that. You can tell, I am really fired up right now.”