Bucs Nation
Mike Evans versus Marshon Lattimore runs deep.
Buccaneers tackle Tristan Wirfs, one of the league's best, was a guest on The Pivot Podcast. While Wirfs covered a wide array of topics, (the full episode can be found here) one discussion of note was Mike Evans' matchup(s) with Marshon Lattimore.
The two have had a lengthy history of skirmishes. Evans' ongoing back and forth with Lattimore may be one of the few things those who don't follow his career closely know him for best.
The feud has had many moments, squabbles, and heaps of bickering, however, there are two key boiling points that stick in everyone's mind.
The first of which was in 2017—
Evans' blindside hit on Lattimore, instigated by Jameis Winston's interference, began the rivalry as Bucs' fans have known it to become— Evans was not ejected from the game but, was suspended the following week.
A few seasons of chippy play later, in 2022, fisticuffs arose again. This time Tom Brady, having run down the field to dispute a penalty, came face-to-face with Lattimore and the two exchanged pleasantries. Following the Leonard Fournette shove that ensued, Mike Evans ran off the sideline and hurled himself into Lattimore knocking the Saints defender to the ground and kicking off a brawl. Both Evans and Lattimore were ejected from the game and for the second time, the conflict between the two required Evans to miss the team’s next game.
On multiple occasions, Evans has said publicly that he shouldn't have lost his temper or handled the situation(s) the way he did. Still, that hasn't prevented the rivalry from playing out like semi-annual grudge matches— growing in lore within the respective team's fan bases, the media, and apparently inside the Buccaneers' locker room.
When asked about the Mike Evans–Marshon Lattimore beef, Wirfs said, "They told me my rookie year... Go get Mike after every play. I was like okay. I do my pass rush, and then I look and Mike and Marshon are in each other’s face [I'm] like sprinting down the field."
Wirfs' quote isn't necessarily surprising to hear, however, it does show just how deep the rivalry between these two truly cuts. With Lattimore outside of the division now, fans won't see as much of the Duo although, in his first season with the Commanders, the two were paired against each other in the playoffs— the second such bout of their careers. Evans left the game with seven catches, 92 yards, and his second playoff touchdown against Lattimore.
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