The newest San Francisco 49ers wide receiver, Mike Evans, spoke with reporters Thursday during a video conference call and explained why signing with the 49ers felt like a "no-brainer" decision.
Evans also revealed that one of his new teammates—tight end George Kittle—played a significant role in his decision to join San Francisco over other interested teams, like the Buffalo Bills.
"George was the biggest salesman," Evans said. "George sold it big time, and he's a big reason why I'm here, just because of the type of player and teammate that he is."
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Bay Area News Group's Cam Inman later spoke with Kittle by phone on Thursday. The 49ers tight end is currently at home in the Nashville area, continuing to rehab the Achilles injury he suffered during San Francisco's playoff victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Kittle shared what he told Evans while making the 49ers' recruiting pitch.
"I was as honest as I could be about the type of team we have and the type of franchise we have," Kittle told Inman. "The biggest thing I'm proud of as a Niner is how much the ownership puts back into the team and players, from how we travel to how they take care of us with body therapy. I think that's unique and how every team should be, but not every team does that.
"And I told him we have one thing in mind — to win a Super Bowl, and that's a culture people want to be around."
The pitch worked.
Evans officially signed his three-year deal with the 49ers on Thursday and, after 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will suit up for a new team for the first time in his NFL career.
Evans' departure hasn't gone unnoticed in Tampa Bay. Buccaneers fans are sad to see him go, and several of his former teammates have already reached out to Kittle.
"I've had five Tampa Bay players reach out and say, 'Take care of him,'" Kittle said. "He's the man. I'm looking forward to it."
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