Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David faced tremendous odds after the team selected him with a second-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. The Buccaneers were just a few seasons away from losing Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks to retirement, and hadn’t really drafted a replacement for Brooks… until David came along.
It’s safe to say this was a very good decision. After 14 seasons with Tampa Bay, including a Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection, David will retire from the NFL.
advertise
The 36-year-old announced the news through the team on Tuesday.
Over the course of his 14-year career, David became one of the best linebackers in franchise history. He finished with 1,714 tackles, tying Brooks. He also produced 33 forced fumbles, 21 tackles for loss and 177 tackles in his career, more than any Buccaneers player.
Draft your Yahoo Fantasy Baseball team for the 2026 MLB season
However, David’s stellar performance didn’t earn him a lot of praise at the end of the season. After finishing fifth in Rookie of the Year voting, David was named a first-team All-Pro in his second season. He has been an All-Pro twice during his career – in 2016 and 2020 – although he was a second-team selection both times. David has only been to one Pro Bowl in his career, and that was in 2015.
advertise
In 2020, David played a key role in helping the Buccaneers win the Super Bowl. In the team’s four games, David totaled 26 tackles, four passes defended and one sack. In all four games, he completed 100% of the team’s defensive snaps.
After winning the Super Bowl, David signed a two-year contract to return to the Buccaneers. When that contract ends after the 2022 NFL season, David and the Buccaneers decided to keep the veteran on a one-year deal until he considers it a career. He signed a one-year contract with the team in 2023, 2024 and 2025 and started in every game he played.
advertise
David’s lack of all-league honors could hurt his potential Hall of Fame enshrinement, though the Buccaneers proved Tuesday that he belongs. However, he will go down in history as one of the best linebackers the Buccaneers have ever produced, which is no small feat considering the hole he has to fill and the legacy Brooks leaves behind.
