Lavonte David — widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive players in Buccaneers history — announced his retirement Tuesday, bringing the curtain down on a remarkable 14-season career that firmly established him among the premier linebackers of his generation.
Statement from David via Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame,
“It’s time, I’ve been playing football since I was 6 years old. Thirty years straight of football. I never missed a year. A lot of time, man. When it’s time, when you know, you know. I always wanted to be a guy who wanted to retire on my own terms. Right now is the perfect opportunity for that. I give glory to God for me to be able to play football for this long.”
David continued,
“For me, man, 14 years [in the NFL] is enough. I’m comfortable with my decision. I’m satisfied with my career. When I first got into the league, I never, never, ever in a million years expected to play 14 years at a high level for the same organization. And it’s something that doesn’t come around often. I think it’s time that I hang it up and let the next generation of players come in and take over the game.”
Head coach Todd Bowles,
“Before I came to the Buccaneers, I always had immense respect for Lavonte as a special football player. Having had the fortune to coach him for the last seven seasons, I have also experienced the special person and leader he is. He has been the heart and soul of our defense and a Super Bowl champion on the way to being an eventual Hall of Famer. There isn’t anyone more respected by his teammates, and that respect extends to his peers and opposing coaches throughout the league. I, as well as everyone in this organization, will miss him tremendously.”
General Manager Jason Licht on David,
“Lavonte’s mark on our franchise could never be overstated. For the entirety of his 14-year career, Lavonte set the standard for professionalism, leadership, and consistency. He embodies everything that it means to be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer and he is undoubtedly one of the best players to ever put on this uniform. His contributions to our franchise, to his teammates and to this community will leave an impact far beyond his playing years.”
Via the team’s ownership,
“For the past 14 seasons, Lavonte David has personified what it means to be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. He was a selfless leader both on and off the field, playing with passion and a genuine love for the game. He leaves a legacy as a Super Bowl champion and one of the greatest players in franchise history, setting a standard that will continue to impact our organization for years to come,”
The Glazer Family continued,
“Today, we celebrate Lavonte’s legendary career as one of the most accomplished players of his era and thank him for the many memorable moments he provided our fans. Beyond the statistics and accolades, he will be remembered throughout Tampa Bay for his humble demeanor and strong commitment to our community. We wish him well on his journey after football and look forward to honoring his Hall of Fame-worthy achievements in the near future.”
David closed the curtain on a brilliant NFL career having amassed 1,714 total tackles, including 1,172 solo stops, along with 42.5 sacks, 177 tackles for loss, 14 interceptions, 73 passes defensed, 33 forced fumbles, 21 fumble recoveries, and three defensive touchdowns. He finished tied with franchise legend Derrick Brooks for the Buccaneers’ all-time tackle record, while also standing alone as Tampa Bay’s career leader in fumble recoveries. David additionally ranks sixth in team history in sacks — the highest total ever recorded by a player who was not a defensive lineman or edge rusher for the Buccaneers.
Follow, Like and Subscribe to Bucs Report
BucsReport.com
For more on this and everything Buccaneers check back here hourly at BucsReport.com.
