Mike Evans recalls Kliff Kingsbury showing footage of AJ McCarron crying ahead of facing Alabama

The Alabama–Texas A&M game in 2012 was legendary and Johnny Manziel and Mike Evans remembered it fondly. The Aggies upset the No. 1 Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa in what was the Heisman moment for Manziel.

But Evans remembers an interesting factoid about Alabama QB AJ McCarron. Kliff Kingsbury, who was the Texas A&M OC and QB coach that season, showed a video of McCarron crying following a 21-17 win over No. 5 LSU on the road the previous week.

Right there, it gave the Aggies all the more motivation. Ironically, Texas A&M handed Alabama its only loss that year as the Crimson Tide would eventually beat Notre Dame for the national title.

“I remember specifically how confident we were as a team,” Evans told Manziel on Glory Daze. “I remember (Kliff) Kingsbury showing AJ McCarron crying after they beat LSU. He said, ‘What is he crying for? They got to play Texas A&M next week.’”

McCarron went 21-of-34 passing for 309 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in the loss to Texas A&M. Manziel stole the show that day.

“Johnny Football” was 24-of-31 passing for 253 yards, two touchdowns and 92 yards on the ground. That included a highlight reel touchdown pass from Manziel on 3rd and goal in the first quarter. He nearly lost the football, was able to recover, turn, spin and fire a touchdown pass to Kenric McNeal in the back of the end zone.

McCaron and the Crimson Tide nearly roared back though, as Evans recalled. Evans was held to five catches for 40 yards during the game.

In the 29-24 win for Texas A&M, The Aggies led 20-0 before their lead was cut 23-17. But a Manziel touchdown pass to Ryan Swope, with Evans demanding so much attention, A&M took a 29-17 lead and would hang on.

Funny enough, since Evans recalled the McCarron moment, Alabama nearly stole the game. On 4th and Goal from the two-yard-line, McCarron’s final pass with 1:36 left was intercepted by Deshazor Everett at the goal line.

Manziel and Evans were a legendary combo at Texas A&M. The latter is bound for the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday, as he has never had an NFL season with sub-1,000 yards receiving.

Over the course of 11 seasons, Evans has 836 catches, 12,684 yards, 105 touchdowns and 15.2 yards per catch. He’s played his entire career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and won Super Bowl LV five years ago.