Heath Evans Bryan Heath Evans ( born December 30 , 1978 in West Palm Beach , Florida ) is a former American football fullback . He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft . He played college football at Auburn . Evans has also played for the Miami Dolphins , New England Patriots , and New Orleans Saints . Early years . While attending the King ' s Academy in West Palm Beach , Evans lettered in football and basketball . In football , he was a two - time All - State selection as a tailback . College career . Evans attended Auburn University . In football , he finished his three - year career with 149 rushing attempts for 626 yards ( 4 . 2 yards per rush ) and six touchdowns , and 30 receptions for 354 yards ( 11 . 8 yards per reception ) and a touchdown . Professional career . Seattle Seahawks . Evans was the first fullback taken in the 2001 NFL Draft , with the Seahawks selecting him in the third round ( 82nd overall ) . Evans spent four years in Seattle blocking for running back Shaun Alexander . Miami Dolphins . Evans signed with the Miami Dolphins in the spring of 2005 . While in Miami , Evans was re - united with former Auburn tailback Ronnie Brown ( with whom he was a team - mate in 2000 ) , but was cut six weeks into the season . New England Patriots . One week later , the New England Patriots signed Evans for the remainder of the 2005 season . On November 16 , he filled in for an injured Corey Dillon at tailback against his former team and rushed for 84 yards on 17 carries and caught 3 passes for 18 yards , subsequently leading the Patriots to victory . On March 23 , 2006 , the Patriots re - signed Evans as an unrestricted free agent to another one - year contract . During the 2006 season , Evans ran for 117 yards on 27 carries . He also caught 7 passes for 34 yards . In week 5 against the Dolphins , Evans scored his first career touchdown on a 1 - yard reception from Tom Brady . Two weeks later against the Minnesota Vikings , Evans recorded his career long carry of 35 yards . Against the San Diego Chargers in the playoffs , Evans recorded 3 special team tackles in the Patriots ' 24 - 21 upset . Evans caught 4 passes in the AFC Championship loss to the Colts . On February 24 , 2007 , the Patriots announced that Evans signed a two - year contract extension , keeping him off the free agent market . Evans also rushed for a 2 - yard touchdown against the New York Jets in a 38 - 14 victory in the opening game of the 2007 season . New Orleans Saints . An unrestricted free agent in the 2009 offseason , Evans was signed by the New Orleans Saints on March 5 . Upon the signing , the team released incumbent fullback Mike Karney . Evans played in the Saints ' first six games , scoring three touchdowns , but he suffered a season - ending knee injury in their October 25 game against the Miami Dolphins and was placed on the injured reserve list . Retirement . On August 24 , 2011 , Evans announced via Twitter that he had decided to retire from the NFL after 10 seasons , agreeing to a multi - year contract to become an analyst for the NFL Network . Broadcasting career . Evans is an analyst on NFL Network and joined the NFL on Fox as a game analyst in 2012 with Sam Rosen . He was supposed to join Kenny Albert , Daryl Johnston , and Tony Siragusa as a sideline reporter for the NFC Divisional Playoff game only starting in 2013 , however that changed when Erin Andrews came to Fox as a studio host for Fox College Football and a sideline reporter for MLB on Fox for the All - Star Game and the postseason and the NFL on Fox with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman as a sideline reporter for Thanksgiving Classic and the NFC postseason . Chris Myers would join Laura Okmin as a sideline reporter for the 2013 NFC Divisional Playoff game with Thom Brennaman and Brian Billick instead of Kenny Albert , Daryl Johnston , and Tony Siragusa . Thom Brennaman , Brian Billick , Laura Okmin , and Chris Myers called the Seahawks - Falcons Divisional Round instead of Kenny Albert , Daryl Johnston , and Tony Siragusa . Personal . Evans is well known for his Christianity and is the founder of the Heath Evans Foundation , a foundation for abused children . He and his wife Beth Ann have two daughters , Ava and Naomi ; during the offseason they reside in West Palm Beach , Florida . In 2008 , Evans was reported to be in negotiations to open Dunkin ' Donuts franchises in Alabama .