He's Still Exciting

Darnell Tyler Evans, son of Toney and Hattie Evans of Madison, was a standout football player for the Shaw (University) Bears breaking all kinds of records and winning very impressive awards.  The game announcers there dubbed him Mr. Excitement which was on point; every time he was on the field it was pure excitement.  Ironically, or maybe not, his jersey was #1.

Darnell is following his dream to play professionally and this week he boarded a plane to Colorado where he will be playing arena football for the Colorado Ice team.  The Colorado Ice is a professional indoor football team based in Fort Collins, Colorado.  They are a member of the Intense Conference of the Indoor Football League (IFL).  The Ice began play in 2007 as an expansion member of United Indoor Football (UIF) and joined the IFL as part of the UIF-Intense Football League merger of 2009.  The Ice is owned by Tom and Patty Wigley, and is coached by Heron O’Neal.  The Ice has played at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colorado since their inaugural season.

The Colorado Ice is proud to announce that linebacker/defensive end, Danny Mason Jr., has signed a contract with the Denver Broncos of the National Football League.  Mason is not the first Ice player to be noticed by the Broncos.  In 2013 linebacker Chase Vaughn signed with the Ice in 2011 and helped the team capture the IFL Mountain West Division Championship.  In addition, four Ice players have signed to play in the Canadian Football League (CFL) since 2014.  Putting players in a prime position to be viewed from a higher league is one of the goals of the Colorado Ice staff.  Head Coach and Director of Football Operations, Heron O’Neal, commented, “it’s the perfect example of how networking works for the Ice organization.  The IFL is the perfect development league with a lot of young talent.”

From the NewsObserver.com, August 30, 2012 -  “CB Darnell Evans, Shaw:  Don’t let Evans’ 5-foot-9 -- and that’s a stretch -- size fool you.  He’s a beast on the field and a menace for quarterbacks.  The 2010 CIAA Defensive Rookie of the Year recorded 35 tackles and six pass breakups last season.  His six interceptions tied for 12th in Division II.  Not bad for a walk-on who wanted to play receiver.

Quote from Evans:  ”In my first game at Shaw, I will never forget what coach (Robert) Massey told me,” said Evans who was named a preseason All-American by USA Football News.  “He said if I stay with my technique and work hard, I could be one of the best cornerbacks in the conference.  That meant a lot coming from a former NFL professional.”

Google Darnell Evans to review his amazing Shaw Bears legacy.

For some amazing football action follow Mr. Excitement as he burns up that arena in Colorado!