Buccaneers Share Behind-The-Scenes Look at Mike Evans' Celebrated Week 18 Performance

In Week 18, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans would not be denied--or perhaps, the team wouldn't allow him to be denied.

The video captures everything, from Evans's final reception to the sideline celebrations and into the locker room. Tampa Bay's social media team went behind the scenes, closing the clip with Evans' post-game speech.

The clip illustrates how Evans' record mattered to the 6-foot-5, 231-pound wideout and the whole team.

There were 36 seconds left in the game, victory already in hand with Tampa Bay leading 27-19 against the New Orleans Saints, yet quarterback Baker Mayfield connected with Evans for a meaningless nine-yard gain. Well, it was meaningless to the game's result, but it meant a lot to Evans, the Buccaneers and their fan base.

Note: The video below contains censored out expletives throughout.

After being given the game ball, Evans, covered in champagne, rallied his teammates near him and addressed his team. 

"Hey man, I appreciate y'all and love y'all so (expletive) much, man," he told the Bucs. "The season's always gonna be a grind, man. But having y'all (expletive) around makes it easy. I love y'all. We ain't done. We ain't (expletive) done. CHAMPS ON THREE, 1-2-3! CHAMPS!"

With that final reception, the 31-year-old receiver eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards for the 11th straight time, despite only playing 14 games in 2024. 

He joined Jerry Rice to become the only other pass-catcher to have 1,000 yards or more in 11 straight seasons and the only player in NFL history to start their career with 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

Rice only gained 927 yards in his rookie season.

Evans also received a $3 million bonus escalator for reaching 70 catches, 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, according to Spotrac.