A few weeks ago after an offseason practice for the San Francisco 49ers, veteran wide receiver Mike Evans spoke to the media wearing a shirt that read, “humble over hype.” While Evans obviously did not wear that intending to take a dig at Brandon Aiyuk, it perfectly articulates the difference between the two players.
Evans is workmanlike and keeps his head down while just going about his business. He is a consummate professional who doesn’t want to draw attention to himself off the field or make a spectacle of himself. He just wants to go to work and be a great player.
Aiyuk may be the walking, talking definition of hype. He is all about getting attention even if it means embarrassing himself with a bunch of rants on social media. He’s been this way for years, and it’s only gotten worse after the 49ers gave him a huge contract extension, a decision they obviously regret.
The two players could not be more opposite one another, and it’s no secret why anytime coaches or players are asked about Evans, they smile. Once Aiyuk is officially gone, which really cannot come soon enough, Evans will set a different tone in that wide receiver room.
Evans is even far different than Deebo Samuel. While Deebo looks a lot better compared to Aiyuk, he still had some diva-like tendencies. Aiyuk probably learned a few things when Samuel requested a trade and engaged in social media antics when he wanted his contract, so the fact Evans is so different will be just what the 49ers want.
It’s ironic that for a head coach and general manager tandem like Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch, who clearly hate drama of any kind, they have had to deal with quite a bit of it over the years. Maybe that’s just the nature of any NFL team, but they have to be hoping this upcoming season will be much less drama-filled than previous ones.
Between all of the Trey Lance, Jimmy Garoppolo stuff, to De’Vondre Campbell quitting on the team and other episodes, there has just been a lot going on with San Francisco for years, and through it all, they’ve still managed to consistently be one of the best teams in the NFC.
Evans is the perfect guy for this team. The Niners are trying to win a Super Bowl, and he can help them do that. No distractions, no social media nonsense. Just a guy who is going to go into the Hall of Fame someday who can help San Francisco get where it wants to go.
Humble over hype, indeed.
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