Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David is retiring after 14 seasons with Tampa Bay
Lavonte David is retiring after playing all 14 seasons of his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. David made the announcement Tuesday at the team’s practice facility. “I feel it’s time to move on and find a different path in life, be a dad to that amazing little girl over there,” David said.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Lavonte David is retiring after playing all 14 seasons of his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. David made the announcement Tuesday at the team’s practice facility.
“I feel it’s time to move on and find a different path in life, be a dad to that amazing little girl over there,” David said. “Having a girl helped me become a man, helped me understand what’s important in life. ” The 36-year-old linebacker was the heart and soul of Tampa Bay’s defense, helping the Buccaneers win a Super Bowl by dominating Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 on Feb.
7, 2021. David is one of only five players in the past 35 seasons with 40 or more sacks and 35 or more takeaways. Hall of Famers Jason Taylor, Junior Seau, Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher are the other four.
David finished tied with Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks for the most tackles (1,714) in franchise history, according to team stats. David is the franchise record holder in forced fumbles (33) and fumble recoveries (21), third in games played (215) and games started (215) and fifth in sacks (42 1/2). Additionally, David holds the franchise playoff records for total tackles (79) and solo tackles (57).