About 18 years ago, sometime around the end of his amateur career — first at first Haynesville High and then at the University of Georgia — and just before the start of a 9-year NFL career, Demetric Evans offered to buy a beautiful young woman named Aungel a drink.

A few minutes and polite conversation passed before Aungel said, “Look, I should let you know: I have a boyfriend.”

Demetric, because he carries what we who have lived there call the Claiborne Parish Swagger (I am the only one who doesn’t have it), said, “Sure. Good. But hey, does he know you’re going to be my wife?”

“I thought,” Aungel said, “‘This guy’s delusional.’”

But he wasn’t. Even Aungel — Dr. Aungel Evans now and the mother of Demetrick’s two sons — said during her brief and compelling introduction of her husband for his induction into the Ark-La-Tex Museum of Champions Saturday night at the Shreveport Convention Center, that the past 18 years have her husband right, and have also proved him to be a caring man whose actions speak louder than his words, even louder than his considerable athletic talent.

Football taught Evans humility, he said during his acceptance speech at Saturday night’s always-compelling event. No question that a constant dose of that helped drive him to form the 92 Blessings Foundation, to continue his post-undergrad education, and to accept callings that allow him to help both Haynesville and former Georgia and NFL players.

The next induction will be two years from now; consider attending. It’s a fun, quaint night that serves as a reminder that we live in an area so rich both in athletes and in solid people true to their callings.

-30-