When Tampa Bay Buccaneers long snapper Evan Deckers takes the field this Sunday, he’ll be representing more than just his team. Evan has selected New England Dairy for the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats program.
During Weeks 13 & 14 of the NFL season, players will wear customized cleats to honor and raise awareness for the causes and organizations they are passionate about. After the game, the cleats are auctioned off with proceeds going to their chosen cause.
The funds raised through Evan’s cleat auction will support New England dairy farmers and our programs increasing community access to nutritious foods.
Evan is a proud New Englander with deep roots in both sports and agriculture. Growing up in Avon, Connecticut, Evan’s love for athletics had him playing every sport he could – from hockey and baseball to squash, basketball, and golf. It wasn’t until high school that he discovered his true calling in football as a long snapper, a position that would pave the way for his future. Outside of sports, Evan developed a deep passion for hunting and fishing, traditions passed down through his family in Vermont that he continues to enjoy to this day.
Evan’s love for hard work and family runs deep, thanks in part to his ties to his family’s dairy farm, Taft’s Milk and Maple Farm, in Huntington, Vermont. Raised on fresh and nutritious foods, with some of his favorites being whole milk and venison, Evan is proud of the work his family does 365 days a year to produce food for others. This connection to agriculture has given him a profound understanding and appreciation for where his food comes from.
Evan as a young boy on his family’s dairy farm in Vermont. Evan with his grandparents, Bruce and Mary Taft, after a high school football game and after a game in Tampa.
Today, Evan is the long snapper for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL. After playing college football at UMass Amherst and transferring to Duke University for his fifth and final year, he’s living his dream on the professional stage. Through it all, Evan remains deeply rooted in his family values, with family being his number one priority. His connection to the dairy industry has strengthened his appreciation for the dedication and hard work involved, as well as the importance of supporting those closest to him.
We are honored that Evan has selected New England Dairy for My Cause My Cleats. We look forward to seeing him sport his cow-spotted official New England Dairy cleats during the game on Sunday where the Bucs will take on the Las Vegas Raiders.
