- Thomas Evans, a former NFL hopeful, transitioned to strongman competitions after being cut by the Green Bay Packers in 2017.
- Born in Franklin, North Carolina, he was inspired by his grandfather, Frank Lasky, a former football player.
- He has competed in the 2023 World’s Strongest Man, excelling in the log ladder event, and won titles like the 2022 Arnold Amateur Strongman Championships.
- As of April 2025, Evans, now 30, continues to compete while working as a strength and conditioning coach at the University of Delaware.
- His journey reflects resilience, balancing a demanding career with rigorous training, driven by a desire to honor his family legacy.
Background and Early Life:
Thomas Evans grew up in Franklin, North Carolina, influenced by his grandfather, Frank Lasky, who played college football at the University of Florida and briefly for the New York Giants. This family legacy fueled his passion for football, leading him to play as an offensive lineman at the University of Richmond.
Career Transition:
After a promising stint with the Green Bay Packers in 2017, where he was cut just before the season, Evans pivoted to strongman competitions. Inspired by the Netflix documentary Born Strong, he began competing in 2019, quickly rising through the ranks with notable performances in major events.
Achievements:
Evans has achieved significant success, including winning the 2022 Shaw Classic Open and Arnold Amateur Strongman Championships. His standout performance at the 2023 World’s Strongest Man included a record-breaking log ladder time. He also deadlifted 855 pounds at the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic, finishing fifth.
Current Role and Impact:
As of April 2025, Evans balances his strongman career with his role as a strength and conditioning coach at the University of Delaware. His dedication to training and competition, coupled with his personal story of overcoming adversity, makes him an inspiring figure in the strength sports community.
Thomas Evans: From Gridiron to Global Strength
In the electrifying world of strongman competitions, where athletes push the boundaries of human strength, Thomas Evans has carved out a remarkable niche. Once a promising NFL offensive lineman, Evans transformed heartbreak into triumph, transitioning from the football field to the strongman arena. As of April 2025, this 30-year-old powerhouse from Franklin, North Carolina, continues to captivate audiences with his feats of strength and inspiring journey of resilience. Balancing a demanding career as a strength and conditioning coach with his pursuit of becoming the World’s Strongest Man, Evans’s story is one of perseverance, family legacy, and an unyielding drive for greatness.
Early Life: A Football Legacy
Thomas Evans was born in Franklin, North Carolina, a small town nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. While his exact birth date remains private, his upbringing was steeped in athletic tradition. His grandfather, Frank Lasky, was a significant influence, having played college football at the University of Florida and briefly for the New York Giants as an offensive lineman. This family legacy ignited Evans’s passion for football, setting him on a path to pursue the sport with fervor.
At Franklin High School, Evans excelled as a football player, showcasing the strength and determination that would later define his career. His talent earned him a scholarship to the University of Richmond, where he played as an offensive lineman for the Spiders. His college career was marked by standout performances, catching the eye of NFL scouts and paving the way for his professional aspirations.
The NFL Dream and Its End
In 2017, Evans’s dream of playing in the NFL seemed within reach when he signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent. During training camp, he snapped the ball to quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a moment that symbolized his proximity to achieving his lifelong goal. However, just before the regular season began, Evans was cut from the final 53-man roster a devastating setback that ended his NFL journey. Reflecting on this moment, “I thought I was one of the strongest guys playing,” but the cut marked a turning point in his life.
A New Calling: Strength and Conditioning
Undeterred by the end of his football career, Evans channeled his energy into a new role as a strength and conditioning coach at the University of Delaware. Working with the football and lacrosse teams, he found purpose in helping other athletes achieve their potential. It was during this time that he discovered strongman competitions, a sport that aligned perfectly with his love for weightlifting and competitive spirit.
Inspired by the Netflix documentary Born Strong and the awe-inspiring feats at the Arnold Strongman Classic, Evans decided to test his strength in this grueling arena.
Meteoric Rise in Strongman
Evans’s entry into strongman was nothing short of spectacular. In 2019, he made his mark by placing fifth at America’s Strongest Man, a competition that highlighted his raw power and potential. The following year, he clinched the Arnold Amateur Strongman title, solidifying his status as a rising star. His momentum continued with a victory at the Shaw Classic Open in 2020, a significant achievement that showcased his growing prowess.
In 2022, Evans won the Arnold Amateur Strongman Championships, earning the prestigious title of “World’s Top Amateur Strongman.” This victory, reported, propelled him into the professional ranks, setting the stage for his debut at the 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition.
At the 2023 World’s Strongest Man in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Evans stepped in as a replacement for the injured Pavlo Nakonechnyy. Despite being a newcomer, he delivered a standout performance, particularly in the log ladder event. Lifting five logs ranging from 275 to 400 pounds in just 38.96 seconds, he achieved the best overall time in the competition. He finished fourth in his group with 18 points, a remarkable feat for his first appearance at this elite level.
Later that year, at the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic, Evans continued to impress, finishing fifth overall and deadlifting an astonishing 855 pounds. These performances cemented his reputation as a formidable contender in the strongman world.
Balancing Career and Competition
Balancing a full-time job with the demands of professional strongman competition requires extraordinary discipline. As a strength and conditioning coach at the University of Delaware, Evans manages a rigorous schedule that includes coaching athletes, planning his own training, and competing internationally. He meticulously organizes his meals, workouts, and sleep to maintain peak performance, often sacrificing free time to pursue his goals.
Evans’s training regimen is intense, focusing on building both strength and endurance. He has a particular affinity for the log ladder event, which he describes as a perfect blend of static power, endurance, speed, and total strength. To enhance his performance, he uses the AIRWAAV Mouthpiece, which he credits for improving endurance through peer-reviewed research.
Personal Life: A Tribute to Legacy
Evans’s journey is deeply personal, driven by a desire to honor his family’s athletic legacy. The loss of his grandfather, Frank Lasky, who passed away after a long battle with dementia, profoundly affected him. Competing in the 2023 World’s Strongest Man with a heavy heart, Evans dedicated his performance to his grandfather. This emotional connection fuels his drive, turning each event into a tribute to his family’s heritage.
Off the field, Evans is known for his humility and camaraderie. He values the supportive strongman community, where competitors share a unique bond. His journey from NFL hopeful to strongman contender has made him an inspiration, particularly for those facing setbacks in their own lives.
Future Aspirations
Thomas Evans has set his sights on the ultimate prize: becoming the World’s Strongest Man. With each competition, he builds on his experience and strength, aiming to reach the top of the podium in the coming years. His rapid rise in the sport, coupled with his relentless work ethic, suggests that this goal is well within reach.
As of April 2025, Evans remains a prominent figure in the strongman community. He continues to compete while coaching at the University of Delaware, inspiring athletes and aspiring strongmen with his story of perseverance and reinvention. His Instagram, thomas evans strongman, offers a glimpse into his training and competitive journey.
Conclusion
Thomas Evans’s story is one of transformation and triumph. From the heartbreak of an NFL dream cut short to the exhilaration of competing on the world stage of strongman, he has proven that setbacks can be springboards to greater achievements. His dedication to both his coaching career and competitive pursuits showcases a rare blend of strength and resilience. As he continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible, Evans is not just a strongman he’s a symbol of what it means to rise from adversity and chase greatness.
Table: Key Milestones in Thomas Evans’s Career
| Year | Event/Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Green Bay Packers | Signed as undrafted free agent, cut before season |
| 2019 | America’s Strongest Man | Placed 5th |
| 2020 | Arnold Amateur Strongman | Won title |
| 2020 | Shaw Classic Open | Won title |
| 2022 | Arnold Amateur Strongman Championships | Won “World’s Top Amateur Strongman” title |
| 2023 | World’s Strongest Man | Debut, best time in log ladder (38.96 seconds), 4th in group |
| 2023 | Arnold Strongman Classic | 5th place, deadlifted 855 pounds |