Heath Evans
 Heath Evans in training camp the Patriots |
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| No. 44 | |
| Fullback | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth: December 30, 1978 | |
| Place of birth: West Palm Beach, Florida | |
| Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | Weight: 250 lb (113 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College: Auburn | |
| NFL Draft: 2001 / Round: 3 / Pick: 82 | |
| Debuted in 2001 for the Seattle Seahawks | |
| Last played in 2010 for the New Orleans Saints | |
| Career history | |
| Roster status: Retired | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
| Career NFL statistics as of 2010 | |
| Rushing yards | 579 |
| Average | 3.5 |
| Rushing TDs | 4 |
| Receptions | 57 |
| Receiving Yards | 439 |
| Receiving TDs | 4 |
| Stats at NFL.com | |
Bryan Heath Evans (born December 30, 1978 in West Palm Beach, Florida) is a former American football fullback. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Auburn.
Evans has also played for the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, and New Orleans Saints.
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[edit] Early years
While attending the King's Academy in West Palm Beach, Evans lettered in football and basketball. In football, he was a two-time All-State selection as a tailback.[1]
[edit] College career
Evans attended Auburn University. In football, he finished his three-year career with 149 rushing attempts for 626 yards (4.2 yards per rush) and six touchdowns, and 30 receptions for 354 yards (11.8 yards per reception) and a touchdown.
[edit] Professional career
[edit] Seattle Seahawks
Evans was the first fullback taken in the 2001 NFL Draft, with the Seahawks selecting him in the third round (82nd overall). Evans spent four years in Seattle blocking for running back Shaun Alexander.
[edit] Miami Dolphins
Evans signed with the Miami Dolphins in the spring of 2005.[2] While in Miami, Evans was re-united with former Auburn tailback Ronnie Brown (with whom he was a team-mate in 2000), but was cut six weeks into the season.
Evans recently made an appearance on a Miami radio station to discuss his relationship with former Dolphins head coach and current Alabama head coach Nick Saban. Evans claim that Saban stepped over a sick player on the field.[3]
[edit] New England Patriots
One week later, the New England Patriots signed Evans for the remainder of the 2005 season. On November 16, he filled in for an injured Corey Dillon at tailback against his former team and rushed for 84 yards on 17 carries and caught 3 passes for 18 yards, subsequently leading the Patriots to victory. On March 23, 2006, the Patriots re-signed Evans as an unrestricted free agent to another one-year contract.
During the 2006 season, Evans ran for 117 yards on 27 carries. He also caught 7 passes for 34 yards. In week 5 against the Dolphins, Evans scored his first career touchdown on a 1-yard reception from Tom Brady. Two weeks later against the Minnesota Vikings, Evans recorded his career long carry of 35 yards. Against the San Diego Chargers in the playoffs, Evans recorded 3 special team tackles in the Patriots' 24-21 upset. Evans caught 4 passes in the AFC Championship loss to the Colts.
On February 24, 2007, the Patriots announced that Evans signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him off the free agent market. Evans also rushed for a 2-yard touchdown against the New York Jets in a 38-14 victory in the opening game of the 2007 season.
[edit] New Orleans Saints
An unrestricted free agent in the 2009 offseason, Evans was signed by the New Orleans Saints on March 5. Upon the signing, the team released incumbent fullback Mike Karney. Evans played in the Saints' first six games, scoring three touchdowns, but he suffered a season-ending knee injury in their October 25 game against the Miami Dolphins and was placed on the injured reserve list.[4]
[edit] Retirement
On August 24, 2011, Evans announced via Twitter that he had decided to retire from the NFL after 10 seasons, agreeing to a multi-year contract to become an analyst for the NFL Network.[5]
[edit] Personal
Evans is well known for his Christianity [1] and is the founder of the Heath Evans Foundation, a foundation for abused children. He and his wife Beth Ann have two daughters, Ava and Naomi; during the offseason they reside in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Evans has expressed interest in opening Dunkin Donuts franchises in Alabama.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Heath Evans biography Patriots.com. Accessed 9 July 2007.
- ^ Q & A: Evans learning from his friends The Seattle Times.
- ^ Navarro, Manny. "Former Miami Dolphin Heath Evans rips Nick Saban, says coach stepped over 'convulsing player' Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/12/09/2538616/former-miami-dolphin-heath-evans.html#ixzz1nP3pK3DS". The Miami Herald. http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/12/09/2538616/former-miami-dolphin-heath-evans.html. Retrieved 2011-12-12.
- ^ Brian Allee-Walsh, "New Orleans Saints fulback Heath Evans undergoes season-ending knee surgery; replaced on roster by veteran Kyle Eckel", Times-Picayune, October 29, 2009.
- ^ Heath Evans retirement announcement. Twitter.
