“Texas A&M and Tampa helped shape me into the player and the man I am today, and I will forever be grateful for the unwavering support you gave me and my family.”

TAMPA, Fla. — After signing a 3-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers during free agency, former longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans released a statement Friday, thanking Bucs fans.

The six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver released the following on his family foundation’s Instagram page:

To the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans

From the day I arrived in Tampa, you embraced me and made this city feel like home. We’ve shared incredible moments together—unforgettable wins, tough challenges, and the honor of bringing a Super Bowl championship to this great community. Those memories and the love you showed me will stay with me forever.

Although my journey is taking me to a new team and a new chapter in San Francisco, please know this — I will always be a Buc at heart. Texas A&M and Tampa helped shape me into the player and the man I am today, and I will forever be grateful for the unwavering support you gave me and my family.

I’m excited for what’s ahead and the opportunity to start fresh, but I truly hope you will continue to follow my journey and root for me from afar. The bond we built will always mean the world to me.

Thank you for everything, Tampa.
Forever grateful.

The Buccaneers selected Evans No. 7 overall in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Over his 12 seasons with the Bucs, Evans recorded the most touchdown receptions (105), total touchdowns (106), receiving yards (12,684) and receptions (836) in franchise history.

He ranks 10th all-time in touchdown catches, and his NFL record 11-straight 1,000 receiving-yard season streak is tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice.

Evans now leaves behind a Tampa Bay receiving core of Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., Jalen McMillan, Tez Johnson and Kameron Johnson, while joining a receiving core of Brandon Aiyuk, Ricky Pearsall, Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowing in San Francisco.

“I want to show that I’m still who people believe that I am,” Evans said during his introductory 49ers press conference. “And that’s one of the best to ever do it.”