Over the years, it’s become increasingly rare for anyone to be a “one-team guy.” That’s why it felt so special for the recently retired Lavonte David to go wire-to-wire with the Bucs, and it’s why it stung so much when Mike Evans – once looked at as a lock to be a career Buccaneer – left this offseason to sign with the San Francisco 49ers.

In one offseason, two players who everyone wanted to spend their entire careers with the Bucs faced tough decisions on their futures. It was always going to be the Bucs or retirement for David, and in the end, he chose retirement and joined the likes of Lee Roy Selmon, Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber and Mike Alstott as career Bucs.

Evans, on the other hand, chose a different path. He went the way that his former quarterback, Tom Brady, went after 20 seasons with the Patriots. Brady moved on and, to the shock of so many, became a two-team guy. He spent three seasons in Tampa Bay and won a Super Bowl – his seventh – in his very first year in red and pewter. Evans wound up going that route himself. After 12 seasons with the Bucs, he went to the other coast and became a 49er.

Bucs WR Mike Evans and QB Tom Brady – Photo by: USA Today

The term “Buc for life” feels like it took on even more meaning a year ago as the franchise celebrated its 50th season, with countless Bucs of yesteryear returning to Tampa to be celebrated for their contributions to the city and organization. And by all accounts, Evans is still a Buc for life, even if his illustrious career will finish in a different Bay Area.

Evans is the best offensive player in franchise history, with 11 1,000-yard seasons, six Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl ring to his name in a Tampa Bay uniform. He will still go into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer, and when he hangs up his cleats, will be welcomed back to Raymond James Stadium sooner rather than later for his Bucs Ring of Honor induction.

Evans’ departure, though, means he won’t be in that rare group of career Bucs like everyone thought he would be. David is in that company now, but Evans ultimately can’t be. It’s a reality that is still sinking in with the Buccaneer faithful, especially as photos and videos of Evans in 49er red, white and gold have emerged. And that reality is something that those beloved career Bucs were asked about by FOX 13’s Mark Skol Jr. in a recent interview.

So, What Did Three Iconic Career Bucs Think Of Mike Evans’ Decision?

Ronde Barber, Derrick Brooks and Mike Alstott were all asked about Mike Evans’ decision to leave Tampa, and each of them offered a unique perspective on the situation.

Up first was Barber, who was with the Bucs from 1997-2012. First, the Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback offered up some insight into whether he was ever close to leaving Tampa Bay before getting further into Evans’ decision to head elsewhere.

“I know neither one of them (Brooks and Alstott) were, but I was close. I was close once. Rich McKay made me a free agent and said, ‘Go test the market,'” Barber said with a laugh. “So, I did. And I ended up back in Tampa because the market wasn’t speaking to me.

“But I think we could all answer this the same way. It’s unfortunate that Mike made a decision to go there because we all have a lot invested in the emotional bank account of this city, of the team, of our ownership. The Glazers are great, and they would’ve been great to Mike if he would’ve stayed here.”

Barber continued.

“But he made a family decision, and that’s the right decision for him. I knew personally… I was never leaving here. I like what this town has given me and I never want this town to feel like I wasn’t part of it. Now that happens to a lot of players. It happened to some of our best teammates. But for me personally, I had the opportunity to stay. I was never gonna leave.”

The end of Brooks’ career in Tampa Bay was different from Barber’s and Alstott’s, as the legendary linebacker was ultimately cut in 2009. But he never went elsewhere, instead calling it a career after 14 seasons – all with the Bucs. The 11-time Pro Bowler and Pro Football Hall of Famer focused more on where Evans ended up before saying that he’ll still always be a Buccaneer to him.

Bucs legend Derrick Brooks – Photo by: USA Today

“I totally understand it. At the same time, he’s going to an organization of a great friend of ours, with John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan. There’s some solace in that for me, knowing John’s gonna appreciate everything Mike has done,” Brooks said. “But obviously putting him in the best position to be successful, Kyle is, in what they’re asking him to do. So, I just want to see him succeed. He’s gonna always be a Buccaneer to me. And as Ronde said, he made the right decision when it comes to his career for his family. And I’m proud of that for him.”

In the end, it was Mike Alsott who seemed to sum it all up perfectly. The “A-Train” was a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro during his career, which spanned from 1996-2006. He spent each of those 11 seasons with the Bucs, and he shared the blunt truth when it was his turn to speak on Evans and his career taking him out to San Francisco.

“Everybody will forget it when he’s announced in the Hall of Fame as a Buccaneer, when it’s all said and done,” Alstott said. “Nobody’s gonna remember these next three years and stuff like that. They’ve all done it. All the greats have done it, [Joe] Montana… They’ve all done it. So again, Mike Evans is a Buc for life and he’s a legend here. We’ve just got to respect his decision.”

Bucs legend Mike Alstott – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Reinhold Matay

How right is that? Joe Montana is remembered as a 49er, not a Chief. Emmitt Smith is way more Cowboy than Cardinal. Jerry Rice is more 49er than Raider. Brett Favre is a Packer, not a Jet or a Viking. And yes, even though he won a Super Bowl in Tampa Bay, Tom Brady is remembered by all non-Bucs fans more for being a Patriot than a Buc.

So in the end, regardless of any successes Evans has in San Francisco over the remainder of his career, Alstott is right. He’ll be more of a Buc than a 49er, and his post-Bucs career is likely to end up being a footnote when he’s inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a Buccaneer.

That may not make anyone feel better when watching him in red, gold and white this year, but take it from three iconic career Bucs: Mike Evans will always be a Buccaneer.