Fox Sports host Kevin Wildes was asked to follow through on a bizarre promise of eating a paper-filled donut after NFL wide receiver Mike Evans' move to the San Francisco 49ers
21:05 ET, 09 Mar 2026Updated 21:16 ET, 09 Mar 2026
FOX Sports TV personality Kevin Wildes speaks during First Things First
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NFL fans await Kevin Wildes' promise to eat a paper-filled donut after Mike Evans left the Tampa Bay Buccaneers(Image: YouTube (@FirstThingsFirst))
FOX Sports TV personality Kevin Wildes confessed he was astonished when news broke that he would leave the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but viewers of his show First Things First quickly reminded the host that his shock came with consequences from a previous promise that he never expected to materialize.
The First Things First co-host reacted live on air after Evans agreed to a three-year, $60.4 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers on Monday. The move ended one of the most recognizable player–franchise relationships in the NFL, and Wilde had previously bet that it would never happen.
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Wildes made it clear he never expected Tampa Bay to let the legendary wide receiver walk away. Still, he was forced to complete a previous bet that he would eat a paper-filled donut should the move ever occur.
Meanwhile, fellow long-tenured QB Tua Tagovailoa changed franchises after six seasons with the Miami Dolphins.
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"I hate this with a passion," Wildes said after Evans' trade. "I am shocked and I just think this is an odd move for Tampa Bay to let an all-time legend who's still producing go."
Wildes expressed that the move felt strange, noting Evans' deep connection to the Buccaneers’ identity. Although he admitted to not being a Bucs fan, Evans' legacy as the team's all-time leader in catches, yards, and touchdowns ignited his passion.
The reaction quickly triggered a wave of responses online, and NFL fans resurfaced a promise Wildes had made days earlier when he insisted there was no chance Evans would leave the Buccaneers in free agency.
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During that earlier First Things First segment, Wildes disregarded rumors about Evans potentially exploring different teams and doubled down on his belief that the receiver would remain in Tampa Bay.
"There is zero chance," Wildes said at the time. "Mike Evans loves the Bucs. He won a championship with the Bucs. He’s going to have a statue outside the stadium. If Mike Evans leaves Tampa Bay, I will cook this (pape) into a donut and eat it,” he said.
Once Evans’ move to the 49ers became official, social media flooded with clips calling on Wildes to honor his promise. The moment went viral and became a top reaction to Evans’ free-agent decision, as fans await the task's completion.
Mike Evans reacts to his second-quarter injury on Monday Night Football
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Evans signed a three-year deal with the 49ers (Image: ESPN)
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The same day saw blockbuster NFL moves, including 1000-yard rusher Rico Dowdle agreeing to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Seattle Seahawks locking down their relationship with wide receiver Rashid Shaheed.
The shock over Evans’ departure was clear, given his historic run with the Buccaneers. He's the only NFL player to start his career with 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons and tied Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for the longest streak ever.
Evans also finished his Tampa Bay career ranked ninth all-time in NFL history with 108 touchdown receptions, while becoming the franchise leader in catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns.