Ciante Evans

Ciante Evans (born October 14, 1992) is an American professional gridiron football defensive back for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He previously played for the Calgary Stampeders, Montreal Alouettes, and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

College career
Evans played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Professional career
After going undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft Evans attended the Chicago Bears’ rookie mini-camp in 2014, but wasn’t offered a contract.

Calgary Stampeders
Evans signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in time for the 2015 season. He only appeared in three games during his rookie season. Evans established himself as a starter in 2016 and continued to start for the Stampeders through to the 2018 season which culminated in his first Grey Cup championship. In the 106th Grey Cup game, he had one interception in the victory over the Ottawa Redblacks. He became a free agent on February 12, 2019.

Salt Lake City Stallions
Evans declined CFL offers to join the Salt Lake Stallions of the Alliance of American Football. Prior to the league's shutdown in April, Evans played in 4 games, recording 4 tackles.

Montreal Alouettes
On May 22, 2019, Evans signed with the Montreal Alouettes. He played in 13 regular season games where he had 29 defensive tackles and three interceptions. Evans remained under contract with the Alouettes the following year, but did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the 2020 CFL season. During the cancelled season Evans took several part time jobs and refereed basketball, before accepting a high school football coaching position in Texas.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Evans signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on February 9, 2021. In his first season in Hamilton, he contributed with 43 defensive tackles in 13 regular season games. On May 10, 2022, Evans and the Tiger-Cats agreed to a new contract for the 2022 season. He played in 13 regular season games where he had 26 defensive tackles and one interception. He became a free agent upon the expiry of his contract on February 14, 2023.

Montreal Alouettes (II)
On February 17, 2023, it was announced that Evans had signed a one-year contract with the Montreal Alouettes. In 2023, he played in 11 regular season games, sitting out seven due to injury, and had ten defensive tackles, 11 special teams tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He won his second Grey Cup championship following the Alouettes' victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 110th Grey Cup game.

Evans became a free agent upon the expiry of his contract on February 13, 2024.

BC Lions
On February 14, 2024, it was announced that Evans had signed with the BC Lions.