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Watch: Buccaneers let WR Mike Evans tie Hall of Famer's record
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) celebrates after catching a pass for a two-point conversion against the Carolina Panthers in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Watch: Buccaneers let WR Mike Evans tie Hall of Famer's record

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield recently indicated he would help wide receiver Mike Evans tie an NFL record. Mayfield kept his promise.

Entering Tampa Bay's home game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Evans needed 85 receiving yards to reach 1,000 for an 11th straight season. This would tie Hall of Famer Jerry Rice's record for the most consecutive seasons with 1,000 receiving yards. (Rice's streak lasted from 1986-96 when he starred for the San Francisco 49ers.) 

The Buccaneers led the Saints 27-19 with 36 seconds left in the fourth quarter and had the ball. Evans still needed five yards to hit the mark. Instead of kneeling down and running the clock out, Tampa Bay let the WR go for it. 

On a 1st-and-10 at Tampa Bay's 32-yard line, Mayfield fired a quick pass to Evans, who gained nine yards. He finished the game with nine receptions for 89 yards.

Evans also receives a $3M bonus for reaching 1,000 yards, which is deserved. 

Since being drafted No. 7 overall by the Buccaneers in 2014, Evans has made five Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl. Don't be surprised if he joins Rice in the HOF after he retires. 

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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