Mike Evans Pulls Out Of Pro Bowl
January 30th, 2024
Won’t participate.
The Pro Bowl “practices” (ahem) will be without the services of a pretty good receiver.
Mike Evans, the greatest wide receiver in Bucs history, has bowed out of the Pro Bowl, per Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com.
Evans’ absence is, per Smith, due to an “injury.” Smith did not offer any additional details.
In the final injury report just over a week ago when the Bucs prepared to face the Lions in the divisional round, Evans was not listed. In fact, the last time Evans was listed on an injury report was prior to facing the Eagles in the wild-card round when Evans was allowed to take off practice for “rest.”
Joe has a hunch with the Pro Bowl happening in Orlando, at least an element of why Evans chose to pull out had to do with he didn’t want to answer any questions about his future from local reporters.
Evans is a free agent in March.
On locker clean-out day the day after the loss to the Lions, Evans declined requests to speak with the local pen and mic club.
January 30th, 2024 at 11:41 am
Making the Pro Bowl is relevant….playing in it means little.
January 30th, 2024 at 11:44 am
If you play or not is inconsequential.
Its being acknowledged by peers and fans is whats important.
Except For Baker! Our young QB is funny and charismatic!
He’ll be great, representing the Bucs!
It’ll get me to watch an event I normally ignore!
January 30th, 2024 at 11:45 am
Bye Mike.
January 30th, 2024 at 11:50 am
No pending FA should participate in the event…Not one of those guys should risk injury for a schit-show event.
Imagine being a UFA looking down the prospects of a big payday bump FA contract…& blowing your knee out playing flag football or “best catch” at the Pro-Bowl….Watching $M’s in future earning disappear in the blink of an eye.
Nope! I sure as hell wouldn’t advise ANY soon-to-be FA to go to Orlando knowing what could happen.
January 30th, 2024 at 12:09 pm
Right. Only Free Agents. To Hell with next season.
January 30th, 2024 at 12:11 pm
I don’t blame him. He has nothing at all to gain by playing in a flag football nothing burger, for a pro who takes his art seriously. And the pro bowl is a popularity contest that Mike doesn’t need to waste his time and potential injury in for Zero return.
For a guy of Mike’s status, the “pro bowl juice isn’t worth the squeeze”
January 30th, 2024 at 12:50 pm
This is the dumbest game on earth. The NHL also hosts one of these annual all star farces. The ONLY all star game with any merit is Baseball because it’s played the same way as regular season games without perhaps as much passion except for players like Pete Rose.
The question for me is not why he pulled out…it’s why would any NFL or NHL player want to play in these exhibitions? Why risk and injury that could be serious enough to effect next year or perhaps even be career threatening.
I HATE these games because I worry for the players health!
BTW did I see a promo for some gimmicky new touch football contest to air as part of SB festivities. It’s not tackle but still…why risk it? And the so called “skills” competition seemed to have some really injury potential events.
January 30th, 2024 at 12:56 pm
Tampabaybucfan Says
“Making the Pro Bowl is relevant….playing in it means little.”
Agreed.
January 30th, 2024 at 12:59 pm
I would rather they do away with it.
Meaningless game. Meaningless award. Nothing but a popularity award.
No one should vote on it. It should only be awarded according to stats and results.
January 30th, 2024 at 1:02 pm
He is on the TB12 diet and he gets to have his cheat month coming up, so fun with the family and vacation time
January 30th, 2024 at 1:03 pm
He’s entering free agency. Why risk injury?
January 30th, 2024 at 1:03 pm
Maybe if enough players back out, the whole stupid thing will be done away with. Here’s a conversation that has NEVER occurred:
“Hey, want to come over and watch the pro bowl?”
“Hell yeah, I’ll order the Hooters and you grab some Big Storm.”
“Awesome! I’m so excited I can’t wait!”
January 30th, 2024 at 1:06 pm
Pretty smart move Mike.
January 30th, 2024 at 1:07 pm
Missed opportunity for the headline to be “Mike Evans Pulls Out”
January 30th, 2024 at 1:13 pm
The pro bowl is a clown show now anyway no biggie.
January 30th, 2024 at 1:45 pm
The Pro Bowl should have ended 20 years ago. There’s no point to it and alot of the most deserving players do not get selected or refuse to participate.
January 30th, 2024 at 2:06 pm
The second dumbest game on earth the first was was having fsu play a meaningless game with Georgia after an undefeated season of games that were meaningless
January 30th, 2024 at 2:16 pm
Will Trask get to go to hold the clipboard on the sideline…. asking for a friend.
January 30th, 2024 at 2:19 pm
stpetebucfan Says:
“This is the dumbest game on earth.”
I would suggest all college bowl games that are not College Football Playoff games are dumber. Why would any kid who has barely tasted real money through the NIL play in bowl games that are all about sponsors and football programs that no longer matters to them. At least with CFP games, you can upsell you draft slot with a breakout performance against top quality teams. All the other bowl games against below top 15 quality teams have little to add on what the players already put on film against normal college opponents.
They should just get rid of non-CFP bowl games and Pro Bowl. Just turn them into game shows that require no physical activities.
January 30th, 2024 at 2:33 pm
Why not hold the Pro-Bowl at the site of the Super Bowl the week before? All the media is heading there anyway. Orlando seems like a consolation prize.
January 30th, 2024 at 3:17 pm
Perhaps they go to the pro bowl because it’s FUN. They have their chosen profession that they love and get an opportunity to goof off with no pressure. They get to play with guys they normally play against. Plus it’s usually used as a great family vacation after a long year of work.
January 30th, 2024 at 3:23 pm
I do believe if our Bucs try to get greasy and get Evans at a discount, he will walk. He’s getting old and wants to be paid on his final contract. Don’t be surprised if he walks. There are a few teams who will pay him big money. And you cannot blame him at all.
January 30th, 2024 at 3:27 pm
I heard a lot of teams are looking at him. The Chiefs are one of them. I don’t blame him avoiding all the questions that will be thrown at him.
January 30th, 2024 at 3:45 pm
Older players (who have BEEN there before) usually find a reason to bail on the pro bowl
January 30th, 2024 at 4:34 pm
From one man to the other – the smartest thing to do is “pull out”…
January 30th, 2024 at 4:55 pm
Leroy Selman hurt in pro bowl never played again….
January 30th, 2024 at 4:56 pm
A good decision for Mike. He has to protect himself. Joe is probably right, Mike would be inundated with questions about his future with the Bucs.
I agree with others commenting that Mike will be looked at from many teams. I hope he stays with us, but whatever is best for he and his family is most important.
January 30th, 2024 at 4:59 pm
Sorry,Selmon
January 30th, 2024 at 5:11 pm
GhostofBrady
I absolutely take your suggestion. This has been a growing problem that is now in the same boat as All Star games.
January 30th, 2024 at 6:34 pm
Does anyone watch the garbage they claim is now the Probowl?
January 30th, 2024 at 6:34 pm
If pro bowl is meaning.ess why did antwoinewi dfields father are suck a stink about jr not getting in this pro bowl is another step to more money with bragging rites
January 31st, 2024 at 8:37 am
Imagine getting hurt in a meaningless game without a contract.
I love one comment here “I heard he was being pursued by many teams”. Yeah, 32 to be exact.
January 31st, 2024 at 9:09 am
I can see why a senior level star nearing the end of his career would decline playing in a meaningless game. Better to spend the off season healing the bumps and bruises that accumulate with a long career. Mike doesn’t have to prove anything to anybody. Good on ya Mike!
January 31st, 2024 at 12:22 pm
MIKE EVANS IS MAKING THE “SMART” DECISION NOT PLAYING IN PRO BOWL..WE LOST OUR FIRST FIRST HALL OF FAMER “LEE ROY SELMON” TO A BACK INJURY THAT ENDED HIS CAREER AFTER THE 1979 NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME VS.THE L.A.RAMS ( DURING THE P AT TAMPA STADIUM THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND..HE WAS FORCED TO RETIRE, ELECTING NOT TO HAVE SURGERY ..( A RISKY PROCEDURE EVEN WITH TODAY’S TECHNOLOGY, MUCH LESS 1979’S..)
January 31st, 2024 at 12:24 pm
DURING PRO BOWL, LEE ROY WAS INJURED.
February 1st, 2024 at 9:13 pm
Making the Pro Bowl is made relevant by casuals it’s a popularity contest not the best ever make it only the ones who are popular. Bobby Wagner (9) pro bowls Lavonte David (1) something is wrong there… compare the stats. Also… Antoine Winfield JR was SNUBBED!!