The Middle School Rules of Mike Evans: as told by Sean Jensen

Before he starred for one of the most dynamic offenses in college and the pros, he had to survive middle school.

Mike Evans is entering his eighth season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The three-time Pro Bowl selection is one of the NFL's most consistent and feared receivers. He played a key role in helping the Buccaneers win Super Bowl LV, leading his team in every major receiving category during the regular season and catching 11 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns in the postseason. He and his wife, Ashli, started the Mike Evans Family Foundation in 2017, focusing on empowering youth, encouraging education, and taking a stand against domestic violence.  

The Middle School Rules of Mike Evans highlights the adversity Mike had to overcome in his childhood, the impact of growing up in Galveston (an island city on the Gulf Coast of Texas that was greatly affected by Hurricane Ike), and the people who shaped him most—especially after the devastating loss of his father.

SEAN JENSEN was born in South Korea. He was adopted and grew up in California, Massachusetts, and Virginia, mostly on or near military bases. Given his unique background, he’s always been drawn to storytelling, a skill he developed at Northwestern University and crafted as a sportswriter for the last 16 years, almost exclusively covering the NFL. During his career, he’s fostered strong relationships with athletes in multiple sports, and penned award-winning features on Derrick Rose and Jared Allen, among others. Sean and his wife make their home in Hopkins, MN with their two children.<P>