Byron Nelson Evans (born February 23, 1964) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was a mainstay of the Philadelphia Eagles defense of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Byron Evans
No. 56
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1964-02-23) February 23, 1964 (age 60)
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school:South Mountain (Phoenix)
College:Arizona
NFL draft:1987 / round: 4 / pick: 93
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:819
Sacks:3.5
Forced fumbles:4
Fumble recoveries:12
Interceptions:13
Touchdowns:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Evans was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona and played scholastically at South Mountain High School.[1] He played college football at the University of Arizona,[2] where he was honored by the Associated Press as a second-team All-American.[3]

Evans was selected by the Eagles in the fourth-round of the 1987 NFL draft.[4][5]

Evans was the middle linebacker and a leader of the "Gang Green" defense of the Philadelphia Eagles from 1989 to 1992. In 1991, the Eagles defense achieved the rare feat of being No. 1 against the run and the pass, earning it recognition as one of the best defenses in NFL history.[6] The defense included perennial All-Pros Reggie White, Jerome Brown (until his death in an automobile accident in 1992), Seth Joyner, Clyde Simmons, and Eric Allen, along with bruising safeties Andre Waters and Wes Hopkins. Gang Green was built on coach Buddy Ryan's 46 defense and perfected by defensive coordinator Bud Carson after the Eagles fired Ryan in 1990. To illustrate Byron Evans' importance, he played the Mike Singletary role in Ryan's 46 defense, serving as the de facto quarterback of the defense. The Eagles were 7-2 when Evans sustained a career-ending leg injury on November 13, 1994, a victim of the infamous Veterans Stadium turf.[7] The team then lost 7 straight games, finishing the season 7–9. Despite several pro-bowl caliber years, particularly in 1989 when he had 184 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 3 fumble recoveries, Evans never received the same level of personal acclaim as his teammates. However his role as leader of the defense was solidified when he was named defensive captain in 1989, and Philadelphia reveres Evans as one of the best linebackers in Eagles history.[8]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Led the league
Bold Career high

Regular season

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sck Int Yds TD Lng FF FR Yds TD
1987 PHI 12 3 25 0.0 1 12 0 12 0 1 0 0
1988 PHI 16 5 47 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
1989 PHI 16 16 184 2.0 3 23 0 15 0 3 21 0
1990 PHI 16 16 112 1.0 1 43 1 22 0 0 0 0
1991 PHI 16 15 111 0.0 2 46 0 31 0 2 0 0
1992 PHI 16 16 175 0.0 4 76 0 43 0 0 0 0
1993 PHI 11 10 109 0.0 1 8 0 7 3 3 30 1
1994 PHI 10 10 56 43 13 0.5 1 6 0 6 1 1 0 0
113 91 819 43 13 3.5 13 214 1 43 4 12 51 1

Personal

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On January 14, 2009, Evans was a phone guest on the "WIP Radio Show" in, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Evans resides in the Phoenix, Arizona. He has three children.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "Byron Evans Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  2. ^ "Byron Evans Stats". NFL.com. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  3. ^ "AP All-America Football Team". Florida Today. December 5, 1986. p. 5C – via Newspapers.com.  
  4. ^ "1987 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  5. ^ "Byron Evans Stats". Pro Football Archives. Archived from the original on May 22, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  6. ^ Kenyon, David. "The Top 10 NFL Defenses of All Time". Bleacher Report. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  7. ^ Breen, Matt (March 11, 2023). "Veterans Stadium's turf was known to be dangerous before it was thought to be cancerous". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  8. ^ Pizzini, Leo. "Linebacker Byron Evans: One of the Eagles' All-Time Greats". Bleacher Report. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  9. ^ Eckel, Mark. "Byron Evans continues on new path as teacher, coach, and pastor". NFL Player Engagement. NFL. Retrieved August 20, 2018.