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NFL Greatest Unsung Heroes In History of All 32 Teams

By Erik Lambert

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 8: Joe Jurevicius #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball while pursued by Ray Buchanan #34 of the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL game on December 8, 2002 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Falcons 34-10. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 8: Joe Jurevicius #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball while pursued by Ray Buchanan #34 of the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL game on December 8, 2002 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Falcons 34-10. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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26 Jan 1997: Defensive back Doug Evans of the Green Bay Packers goes after New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe during Super Bowl XXXI at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Packers won the game, 35-21.
26 Jan 1997: Defensive back Doug Evans of the Green Bay Packers goes after New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe during Super Bowl XXXI at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Packers won the game, 35-21. /

Green Bay Packers

49. . CB. Green Bay Packers. Doug Evans . 12. player

The 1996 Green Bay Packers were the team that brought the franchise back to life. Fans can name so many great stars from that team. Brett Favre and Reggie White, of course, were the big cheeses. Then there was Leroy Butler, Antonio Freeman, Keith Jackson, Eugene Robinson, and Desmond Howard among others. Not a ton of people bring up the name Doug Evans.

This can be easy to understand. Evans only spent five years in Green Bay during his career. He didn’t really have a chance to establish himself as a franchise staple. However, it’s fair to wonder if the team would have won that Super Bowl in 1996 without him. It centers around the middle of th season. The Packers were starting to flounder. Injuries were piling up on offense. The team had just lost back-to-back games after starting 8-1.

Things didn’t start well in the first half against St. Louis the next week either, trailing 9-3 going into the 3rd quarter. Then everything changed. Evans intercepted a pass and took it back for a touchdown to give them a 10-9 lead. Finally woken up from their funk, the Packers went on to a 24-9 win. They would not lose another game the rest of the season and Evans was the spark that lit the fuse.

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