A small island boy turned pro became a fairytale come true for Tampa Bay Wide Receiver and Ball High alumnus Michael ‘Mike’ Evans. Despite the small and very humble beginnings, Evans battled the challenges of life to become a household name, not just on Galveston Island, but to Texas and the nation. Truthfully, it isn’t just his resilience nor his gameplay that amazes people, his kindness and generosity elevate Mike Evans in everyone’s eyes.
Evans established the Mike Evans Family Foundation in 2017 and through it shined a light on the struggles of many youths across the country. The plague of poverty infects millions, even in a nation as prosperous as ours, its ruthlessness consumes the dreams of thousands of potential stars.
Nonetheless, the Foundation has made waves since its founding. Both out-of-pocket funding and donations have kept the foundation running and viable. With their mission statement to “empower youth, encourage education, and stand against domestic violence”, the foundation hosts various events to encourage the participation and awareness of the people the foundation fights for each day. Hosting holiday parties, galas, shopping sprees and more, even offering a scholarship; everything that goes into supporting the families changes lives slowly, but immensely.
Evans uses his results in season to also make donations to the cause. “For every yard Mike earns during the season, one essential item is donated to help others, and for every touchdown he scores, 13 additional items are donated. This season, Mike donated a total of 1,252 essential items to those who need them at Children’s Home Network,” as quoted from the foundation’s website.
“We all have a story. The difference is: do you use the story to empower yourself? Or do you use your story to keep yourself a victim? The question itself empowers you to change your life.” – S. D. Johnston. It takes strength like none other to overpower something that hurts you. However, it’s the same amount of strength within us all, simply the way it’s applied that changes the outcome.
According to Ball High Athletic Director Jerald Temple, one of the eleven foundation board directors, the foundation awarded $65,000 in grants and scholarships in 2021, $130,000 in 2022 and $170,000 in 2023.
