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Heath Evans

Heath Evans in training camp the Patriots
No. 44     New Orleans Saints
Fullback
Personal information
Date of birth: December 30, 1978 (1978-12-30) (age 31)
Place of birth: West Palm Beach, Florida
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	Weight: 250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
College: Auburn
NFL Draft: 2001 / Round: 3 / Pick: 82
Debuted in 2001 for the Seattle Seahawks
Career history
As player: Seattle Seahawks (2001–2004) Miami Dolphins (2005) New England Patriots (2005–2008) New Orleans Saints (2009–present)
Roster status: Injured Reserve
Career highlights and awards
None
Career NFL statistics as of 2009
Rushing yards	577
Receiving yards	398
Total TDs	7
Stats at NFL.com

Bryan Heath Evans (born December 30, 1978 in West Palm Beach, Florida) is an American football fullback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Auburn.

Evans has also played for the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots.

Early years

While attending the King's Academy in West Palm Beach, Evans lettered in football and basketball. In football, he was a two-time All-State selection as a tailback^[1].

College career

Evans attended Auburn University. In football, he finished his three-year career with 149 rushing attempts for 626 yards (4.2 yards per rush) and six touchdowns, and 30 receptions for 354 yards (11.8 yards per reception) and a touchdown.

Professional career

Seattle Seahawks

Evans was the first fullback taken in the 2001 NFL Draft, with the Seahawks selecting him in the third round (82nd overall). Evans spent four years in Seattle blocking for running back Shaun Alexander.

Miami Dolphins

Evans signed with the Miami Dolphins in the spring of 2005.^[2] While in Miami, Evans was re-united with former Auburn tailback Ronnie Brown (with whom he was a team-mate in 2000), but was cut six weeks into the season.

New England Patriots

One week later, the New England Patriots signed Evans for the remainder of the 2005 season. On November 16, he filled in for an injured Corey Dillon at tailback against his former team and rushed for 84 yards on 17 carries and caught 3 passes for 18 yards, subsequently leading the Patriots to victory. On March 23, 2006, the Patriots re-signed Evans as an unrestricted free agent to another one-year contract.

During the 2006 season, Evans ran for 117 yards on 27 carries. He also caught 7 passes for 34 yards. In week 5 against the Dolphins, Evans scored his first career touchdown on a 1-yard reception from Tom Brady. Two weeks later against the Minnesota Vikings, Evans recorded his career long carry of 35 yards. Against the San Diego Chargers in the playoffs, Evans recorded 3 special team tackles in the Patriots' 24-21 upset. Evans caught 4 passes in the AFC Championship loss to the Colts.

On February 24, 2007, the Patriots announced that Evans signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him off the free agent market. Evans also rushed for a 2-yard touchdown against the New York Jets in a 38-14 victory in the opening game of the 2007 season.

New Orleans Saints

An unrestricted free agent in the 2009 offseason, Evans was signed by the New Orleans Saints on March 5. Upon the signing, the team released incumbent fullback Mike Karney. Evans played in the Saints' first six games, scoring three touchdowns, but he suffered a season-ending knee injury in their October 25 game against the Miami Dolphins and was placed on the injured reserve list.^[3]

Personal

Evans is well known for his Christianity [1] and is the founder of the Heath Evans Foundation, a foundation for abused children. He and his wife Beth Ann have two daughters, Ava and Naomi; during the offseason they reside in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Evans has expressed interest in opening Dunkin Donuts franchises in Alabama,^[1] where they currently do not operate; Dunkin Donuts is a sponsor of the Patriots.

References

External links

• New England Patriots bio