Buccaneers' Mike Evans Calls Antoine Winfield Jr.'s Pro-Bowl Snub 'The Biggest One I Have Seen'

The Buccaneers' superstar wide receiver, and the team's only starter in the Pro-Bowl, was quick to defend his teammate, Antoine Winfield Jr., after he was snubbed from receiving the same honor.

Despite having a number of standout performers on their roster this season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had just one player selected to represent them as a starter at this year's Pro-Bowl.

That player was Mike Evans. 

It's a well-deserved honor for the Bucs' star receiver who, despite playing in the league for an entire decade, is leading the NFL in receiving touchdowns. With 2024 also being Evans' 10th consecutive season with 1,000 yards receiving, he's made a strong case not just to participate in this year's Pro-Bowl (which will be his fifth) but to one day receive a gold jacket in Canton, Ohio as well.

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Over the course of his career, Evans has led with his words and his actions. He is a consummate professional and a beloved teammate. This is why it was not a surprise to see Evans come to the defense of his teammate, Antoine Winfield Jr., who was shockingly snubbed from receiving the Pro-Bowl honors himself. 

When asked about Winfield being left off this year's Pro-Bowl roster, Evans offered the following response. "I have seen a lot of guys get snubbed but that was probably the biggest one I have seen in my time in the league." 

#Bucs WR Mike Evans on S Antoine Winfield Jr. not making the Pro Bowl:

“I have seen a lot of guys get snubbed but that was probably the biggest one that I've seen in my time in the league.”

(via @Buccaneers) pic.twitter.com/fgeAKeIqTt

— Ari M (@AriMeirov) January 5, 2024

In typical Mike Evans fashion, he was dignified and respectful when expressing his opinion, while at the same time, making a strong statement on behalf of his teammate, Antoine Winfield Jr. 

Since fumble data started being regularly aggregated in 1999, here's the full list of NFL players who have recorded at least 100 tackles, five sacks, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries & three INTs in a single season:

Antoine Winfield Jr. pic.twitter.com/cHs16YvHkF

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 4, 2024

Winfield's omission from the Pro-Bowl remains a confusing, and extremely frustrating situation. It couldn't be more obvious that Winfield deserves to be there. The argument on his behalf is so strong that it doesn't really require anyone to defend it. His game tape, his stats, his production, his consistency, it all speaks for itself.

But even still, the Buccaneers' offensive leader, Mike Evans, felt compelled to speak out on his behalf anyway. 

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