Former Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Shaq Evans knows his CFL career could have been longer — unfortunately injuries cut it short.
"It was super difficult, mentally and emotionally, I felt like I was getting ready to be one of the best for years to come. I felt like I was going to be on top for at least another four or five years, that's what I felt I had in me. I knew the work I put in, I knew the talent I had and I put it on display in 2019. To come in 2021 and have a fractured leg and then come back in 2022 is when I really felt like myself again. I felt like: 'OK, I'm about to be an all-star again," Evans detailed on the SportsCage.
"Then to have the same thing happen on the other leg was super unfortunate. You think about it, I know I would still be playing if it wasn't for the injury bug; that's part of football. Some people are more fortunate than others to avoid significant injuries and some aren't. I'm one of the people that wasn't able to avoid injuries that set you back a lot."
Before Evans spent his time with the Riders, he was in the NFL. The New York Jets selected him in the fourth round, 115th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft. After the Jets, he played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys. Overall, Evans made over $850,000 USD in his NFL career. He joined the Roughriders in 2018.
"I remember coming home after I got released by the Cowboys and my agent told me that there was a workout for CFL, the one they do in the States. It was in May 2017, it was at this high school and the field was terrible, I remember that it was horrible. I showed up, I conducted a few one-on-ones, ran a 40-yard dash and completed a vertical jump. Jeremy O'Day, who's the GM now, he was the head of scouting at the time and he was the one that evaluated me," Evans recalled.
"After that, we stayed in contact, they wanted me to come up in 2017, but I was still holding out for NFL offers. I didn't come up but as soon as January, I told them if I don't get signed this year, then next year, 2018, I'm with you guys, and that's what happened. February of 2018, I signed my contract with Saskatchewan."
Evans played four seasons with the Riders from 2018 through 2022 and his last team in the CFL was the Ottawa Redblacks in 2023. In his second season with the Roughriders, he earned an All-CFL selection. Through his five years in the CFL, Evans accumulated 206 receptions for 3,181 yards and seven touchdowns in 64 games.
When Evans had the chance to witness Rider Nation at Mosaic Stadium, he knew it was special.
"I remember we played against Toronto to open the season in 2018, I was able to really take it all in and look around because I didn't even dress for that game. A lot of people probably don't remember or know, I didn't even put on shoulder pads and helmet that game. I was on the sideline, looking around like: 'Wow, this is, crazy," Evans explained.
"It's less people here than I played in front of but I feel the energy of 80,000 to 90,000 people. I felt the passion and the love that they really have for this team. I was like: 'I'm so thankful and blessed to be a part of this.'
Evans is still involved with football after his professional playing career concluded.
“Right now, I'm coaching high school football. We're actually getting ready to start our summer camp. That's what I've been doing to keep myself busy for a little while,” Evans said.
“The league, I haven't been following it too much. For me, it's still hard to watch because I feel like I should still be playing. I dibble and dabble in it a little bit. I definitely keep up with the Riders win-loss record at least.”
