Reggie Evans big day in Pensacola

Andray Blatche and MarShon Brooks will expected in Pensacola Saturday afternoon for Reggie Evans' annual charity softball game, an event that Evans is quite proud of ... as he is of his achievements and his hometown.

"Home is home. I love home," said Evans. "I’m always going to live here. I’m not going anywhere. I love the slow life. I’m not one of them type of people that will make it and leave. I won’t ever forget about Pensacola, ever in life."

In addition to Blatche, his best friend on the Nets, and the recently traded Brooks, Evans will be joined by Rashard Lewis, DeAndre Jordan and Marreese Speights from the NBA; Trent Richardson, Derrick Brooks and Fred Robbins, present and past NFL stars from Pensacola and a host of others, from the WNBA, NASCAR and the Olympics.

Evans, who grew up in one of the poorest neighborhoods in the Florida Panhandle, has been praised for his work with the Reggie Evans Foundation. For him, it's about those who are following him out of the neighborhood.

"It’s to encourage kids to be on the right path and sticking on that path," he said. "That’s the biggest thing is make sure these kids have a bright future from high school, going into college and the real world."

• Trent Richardson, other pro athletes to play in charity softball game in Pensacola Saturday - Dennis Pillion - Mobile's Press-Register
• Reggie Evans aims to bring everyone together - Brady Aymond - Pensacola News-Journal
• Editorial: Pensacola's star power - Pensacola News-Journal
• Trent Richardson, Professional Athletes to Play in Charity Softball Game - FOX 10 Sports