Evan Boyd Pilgrim (born August 14, 1972) is a former American football offensive guard in the National Football League (NFL). He played professionally for the Chicago Bears, Tennessee Oilers, Denver Broncos, and Atlanta Falcons.
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Position: | Guard | ||||
Personal information | |||||
Born: | Pittsburg, California, U.S. | August 14, 1972||||
Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||
Weight: | 304 lb (138 kg) | ||||
Career information | |||||
High school: | Antioch (Antioch, California) | ||||
College: | BYU | ||||
NFL draft: | 1995 / Round: 3 / Pick: 87 | ||||
Career history | |||||
Career NFL statistics | |||||
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Pilgrim was born in Pittsburg, California, son of Emma (Donakey) and Ralph Pilgrim.[1][2] He attended Antioch High School, in Antioch, was named to the Contra Costa County all-star team. He was team captain and lettered in football, basketball and track.[3]
Attending Brigham Young University (BYU) in Utah on a full scholarship, Pilgrim was an All-Conference lineman with the nickname “Pancake Maker” for his blocking prowess. He was team captain during his senior year, and made the Kodak All-America Team. He held the bench press record of 510 pounds at BYU. Inducted into BYU's Hall of Fame in 2005, he was also named to its All-Time LaVell Edwards BYU Team.[4]
Pilgrim was drafted into the NFL by the Chicago Bears in the third round (87th pick overall) of the 1995 NFL Draft.[5][6] He played for the Bears from 1995-1997. Pilgrim played for the Tennessee Oilers for part of 1998, and for the Denver Broncos for a short time in 1999. Traded to the Atlanta Falcons,[7] he finished his six-season career, playing in 32 games (10 with the Falcons). He played for the Falcons in 1999 in Super Bowl XXXIII.[8]
Pilgrim retired from the NFL in 2001. He suited up as a player again to appear as a “prison guard” defensive lineman in the 2005 film “The Longest Yard,” starring Adam Sandler. He was the onfield coordinator for the film.[9][10]
Pilgrim married Andrea Terry in July 1992.
Children (Ciel Pilgrim,1995. Ian Pilgrim 1997. Sophie Pilgrim 2003.)
Remarried to Christi Bollenbacher in July 2009. Children (Grace Pilgrim, 2010. Gavin Pilgrim, 2011)[11]