TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — “That was one of the coolest moments at Raymond James,” said Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans. 

Evans returned to action in Week 12 and, at the time, still needed 665 yards over the final seven games to get to quadruple digits.

He ended up averaging 96.7 yards per game over the next six weeks.

“It was a grind to get back. It really was,” Evans said. “This was probably my worst hamstring injury since my rookie season. I got hurt during OTA’s and I was out for like six weeks, so this is probably my second worst hamstring injury that I’ve had in my life.”

Evans said it was his athletic trainer, Bobby Slater, who was there with him every step of the way.

“He was telling me every time I was outside running in that heat and running all of those sprints. He kept saying we’re going to get this 1,000 yards and we’re going to the playoffs and I just stuck with it and we got it done,” said Evans. 

Evans has also recorded his sixth season with 1,000+ receiving yards and 10+ receiving touchdowns — the fifth-most in NFL history. He trails only Pro Football Hall of Famers Jerry Rice (9), Marvin Harrison (8), Randy Moss (8) and Terrell Owens (8).

“It was amazing. It made it that much sweeter. I mean NFC South champs and I’m tied in history with Jerry Rice so I made it,” said Evans. “It made it that much more sweet. I love those guys to death.”