Linebacker Lavonte David, a 14-year NFL veteran and Super Bowl champion with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, announced his retirement on Tuesday, ending one of the most notable careers in franchise history. David announced the decision on social media and then discussed it during a Tuesday afternoon news conference, growing emotional as he thanked his late parents for their sacrifices that allowed his career to flourish.
David, 36, spent his entire storied career with the Buccaneers, writing that the support of fans “is a huge reason why I never wanted to leave this great city.” The team selected him in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Nebraska, and over 215 regular-season games, David cemented himself in Tampa Bay’s record books.
In his final game, David equaled Derrick Brooks as Tampa Bay’s all-time leader in tackles, according to the team, and joined Hall of Famers Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher as the only players with at least 40 sacks and 35 takeaways since 1982.
He ranks first in Bucs history in forced fumbles (33), fumbles recovered (21), tackles for loss (177), is second in solo tackles (1,172) and fourth in QB hits (79).
David eclipsed 100 tackles in 12 of his 14 professional seasons, was a first-team All-Pro in 2013, and was twice named to the second team in 2016 and 2020. He also made the Pro Bowl in 2015. In 2021, Tampa’s dominant defense led the club to a 31-9 Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, a game in which David recorded six tackles and two pass deflections. In his 10 playoff games, he made a combined 79 tackles.
His retirement will mark the second departure of a franchise mainstay this offseason after receiver Mike Evans signed with the San Francisco 49ers following 12 seasons in Tampa Bay.
The Glazer family, which owns the Buccaneers, said in a statement that David “has personified what it means to be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer,” and that “he leaves a legacy as a Super Bowl champion and one of the greatest players in franchise history.”
Tampa Bay signed David to a one-year deal worth up to $10 million ahead of the 2025 campaign. In an October game against the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, David intercepted Seahawks QB Sam Darnold in Seattle territory. It set up a 39-yard walk-off field goal for Tampa Bay kicker Chase McLaughlin that lifted the Bucs over the Seahawks 38-35.
David led the Bucs last season with 114 tackles and tallied another 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. The team signed free agent inside linebackers Alex Anzalone and Christian Rozeboom this offseason, which seemed to hint that David would not return for a 15th season.
This story will be updated.