TAMPA — History is what they share as the only NFL players to produce 11 straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons. But Mike Evans and Jerry Rice were brought together by The Players’ Tribune and the Lincoln Motor Company to film a commercial about their two-man club. There’s been no time to gloat about joining the GOAT after Evans tied Rice’s record on the final play of the 2024 regular season against the Saints. Needing 5 yards to reach Rice’s mark for consistency, Evans caught and short pass from Baker Mayfield and turned it upfield for 9 yards.Raymond James Stadium erupted, the Bucs bench emptied, and Evans nearly hyperventilated on his way to the locker room.In the offseason, Evans met Rice at a studio in Dallas to film the segment and discuss their shared piece of history.“That was pretty cool, man,” Evans said at minicamp Thursday. “I had met Jerry briefly back in 2018, I think. It was really quick. And to be able to sit down and talk to the greatest receiver ever was pretty humbling. The things he had to say about me was a great moment for me.”It turns out Evans and Rice have a lot more in common than an unimaginable receiving record. Both began playing football late in their athletic careers. Rice, a self-described “nerd” with big hands and big feet, got caught skipping high school by his principal and was encouraged to go out for football because he could run fast. The son of a mason, Rice discovered he could catch more than bricks. Jerry Rice spent two decades in the NFL, playing from 1985 to 2000 with the 49ers. [ CHRIS O'MEARA | AP, 1993 ]Evans was primarily a basketball player until he was convinced to play football his senior year at Ball High School in Galveston, Texas.“This is so surreal right now,” Rice tells Evans in the commercial.“This is surreal for me, that you know who I am first off,” Evans replied. As Evans and Rice swapped secrets about their craft and talked football, the mutual admiration was evident. “You perfected route running in general. But the post corner is to me your best route and I learned running that route from you,” Evans told Rice. “You’ve got to be able to sell routes,” Rice said. “You got to make the opponent believe your first cut is where you’re going to get the ball.”Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports sceneSubscribe to our free Sports Today newsletterWe’ll send you news and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays and Florida’s college football teams every day.Loading...You’re all signed up!Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.Explore all your options• • •It’s hard to believe Evans, who turns 32 in August, is entering his 12th season. He holds every Bucs receiving record and is a lock to wear a gold jacket at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Evans is in the final season of a two-year, $41 million contract but he’s not worried about that right now. As the Bucs offseason ended Thursday, Evans planned to follow his familiar routine. “Same mindset,” he said. “Put in the work and get what you put in. So we’re putting in a lot of work, the whole team has, enjoy this break and come back ready to go.”When he returns, Evans believes he will be rejoining the best group of Bucs receivers he has ever played with. Mike Evans celebrates after he catches a pass against the Saints that helps him eclipse 1,000 yards receiving for the 2024 season. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]In addition to his wingman, Chris Godwin, the Bucs have Jalen McMillan and drafted Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka in the first round and Oregon’s Tez Johnson in the seventh round. That doesn’t include returning receivers such as Trey Palmer, Rakim Jarrett and Sterling Shepard. “I say it every year, but we always get great players coming in,” Evans said. “I’ve been very fortunate in my career to be around a lot of great young players. They’ve added to their role tremendously. They’re polished already. Emeka has really strong hands and is super smart. ... “He looks like a running back but he catches like Chris Godwin. He’s very polished. A very well-rounded player.”While the Bucs will have their fourth offensive coordinator in as many years with Josh Grizzard taking over the playcalling, Evans says he’s grateful the scheme has not changed. “I love having that consistency with the playbook,” he said. “Because it’s really extremely hard to learn a new playbook, and for people who haven’t played football, especially at this age, it’s tough. But it makes it way easier for us. We can play fast. We don’t have to think and then add things to it. “It’s going to take this offense to the next level.”• • •As the meeting with Rice ended, Evans presented him with matching gloves that read: “11 straight 1,000-yard seasons” and had the signatures of each player. Rice said he was rooting for Evans this year to reach 1,000 yards again so he can hold the record alone.“You know I’m pulling for you, right?” Rice told him. “That was another thing that was humbling about it,” Evans said Thursday. “You know, how he received me and showed me love, so that was really cool. Hopefully I can do it. Early.”• • •Sign up for our Sports Today newsletter to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.Every weekday, tune into our Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast to hear reporter Rick Stroud break down the biggest stories in Tampa Bay sports.Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on X and Facebook.