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After 13 seasons, Lavonte David remains the heart and soul of the Bucs’ defense. As David enters his 14th year with the only NFL franchise he’s ever known, his longevity is a testament to both his durability and the ups and downs he’s weathered in Tampa Bay. Long before Tampa Bay hoisted the Lombardi Trophy in 2020, David endured years of losing seasons as one of the team’s few consistent bright spots.
During those lean years, David admits he wondered if his window for success was closing. As the franchise charted out a new course to bring a resurgence of winning football, it has given the team and the veteran linebacker new life. Recently, he reflected on that journey in a conversation with CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco and Jaclyn DeAugustino, opening up about whether he envisions himself one day in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Lavonte David Has Been Blessed To Be A Buccaneer For His Entire NFL Career
Lavonte David has seen it all when it comes to Bucs football.
Bucs ILB Lavonte David – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
After being drafted 58th overall in the 2012 NFL Draft, David has watched plenty of coaches and players come and go, all while remaining a constant and franchise player. Now, as he nears the end of a highly productive playing career, he went into deep reflection.
“First and foremost, definitely a blessing to be with the same team all 14 years,” David said about his journey and ups and downs with the Bucs. “That goes to show how much they believe in me and how much work I’ve been putting in for those guys to keep me around. When I first got to Tampa, obviously it was a dream come true playing in the NFL and coming back to my home state. To be able to play for the Buccaneers after being in the Midwest for four years.
“Going through that was growing pains, learning, having to become a better leader, and how to develop my craft throughout. Building relationships with people, people coming in and out, that was the hard part. When you get really close with someone and then out of nowhere, they’re gone because of the turmoil and the [changes].”
David then went on to mention that after the team fired head coach Dirk Koetter after the 2018 season and were attempting to lure Bruce Arians out of retirement, he thought that meant his time in Tampa Bay was nearing its end.
“I just remember getting a call once they fired Dirk Koetter, I remember they said they were going to go after “BA,” Bruce Arians,” David said. “I heard great things about BA. Honestly, I thought that was my last time in Tampa. I thought there was going to be a change of the guard, I thought he was going to come in and bring in new people, wipe the slate clean.
“Apparently, I was one of the first people that they called and said, ‘We don’t want you to go nowhere. We want you to stay here and we want you to be a part of this. We’re going to change this thing around and you’re going to be the key piece for it.’
Bucs LB Lavonte David and former HC Bruce Arians – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
“I remember in 2019 was one of the first times in a long time I had fun actually playing football again. Going through all of that stuff that we went through. Even though it wasn’t a good season for us, we finished what, 7-9 that year? We had chances to kind of make a run, but it didn’t go our way. At the same time, I had a lot of fun that year and I saw what we could be as a football team.”
The pieces to the puzzle, especially on the defensive side of the football, were coming together nicely. Arians brought in Todd Bowles as his defensive coordinator, and the team added inside linebacker Devin White, cornerbacks Sean Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean, safety Mike Edwards, and outside linebacker Anthony Nelson through the draft. Not to mention, veteran outside linebacker Shaq Barrett and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh had successful first seasons in Tampa Bay.
With David leading the unit, all the offense needed was a similar influx of talent.
Lavonte David Recalls The Lasting Impact “The Big Guy” Had On Bucs
To compliment a promising, young defensive core, the Bucs swung big and hit a home run in signing legendary quarterback Tom Brady. Getting Brady to come to Tampa Bay was a move that signaled the team was ready to go on a Super Bowl run — immediately.
Former Bucs QB Tom Brady – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Lavonte David discussed the buildup to Brady’s arrival and how No. 12 was excited to join him.
“I remember the exit meeting talking to BA telling me we might have a shot at the big guy,” David said before the historic move made in the 2020 offseason. “We all know who the big guy is [laughs]. I’m like, ‘I’ll believe it when I see it.’ I just remember sitting on the couch because there were a lot of people texting and calling me, trying to get inside information. Out of nowhere, Tom Brady signs a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I’m just sitting there stunned.
“Having him come aboard, he was the person who called me… instead of me reaching out to him. He was like, ‘Man, I’m glad to be a part of the organization with you guys. I know the type of leader you are, I know the type of player you are, and I know we’re going to do great things.’ I’m like, ‘Man, I’m happy you’re here. Let’s change this thing around.’ First thing he said is, ‘Don’t treat me no different. I’m just one of the guys in the locker room… you guys show me the way.’ When he said that man, that was a breath of fresh air. A whole lot of weight lifted off your shoulders.
“He was just coming in, coming to do his job.”
What a job he did.
At age 43, Brady threw for 4,633 passing yards and 40 touchdowns during the regular season, leading the Bucs to an 11-5 record and their first playoff berth since 2007. He elevated Tampa Bay’s offense to 30.8 points per game, third-most in the NFL.
In the postseason, Brady was just as efficient, tossing 10 touchdowns in four games while guiding the Bucs to three straight road playoff wins before a dominant 31-9 victory over Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV. Brady was named Super Bowl MVP, marking his seventh championship.
Bucs QB Tom Brady – Photo by: USA Today
While it ended with the Bucs having all the glory, there was a stretch during that season when doubt was in the air. That was until Brady had enough and told David they were going to win out, which they did.
“I remember at a point in that season we were 7-5 going into the bye week,” David said. “We had a little losing streak and he caught me in the hallway, pulled me to the side, and we started talking. Asking me how it is on defense and I asked him how it is on offense. He was just like, ‘We’re going to be great, trust me. After this, when we get back, we are not going to lose another game.’ He said those words to me, I’m like, ‘Okay, sure, no problem.’
“We didn’t and we went straight to the Super Bowl and won it. Him coming in and helping us build that culture with the guys that we had, kind of stacking on to it. Now, we have won the division four years in a row, we’re trying to make it five. That just goes to show the work we’re putting in, the staff that we have, and the people that we’re bringing in. It’s pretty great to see, especially coming back from what I’ve been through in my early years.”
The Brady effect left a lasting imprint on the Bucs. Players who shared the field with the G.O.A.T. adopted his mindset and approach, helping establish a standard that still resonates in the locker room today. With strong vocal leaders on both sides of the ball, the team’s culture remains intact. When asked about Brady’s influence, Lavonte David praised his one-of-a-kind preparation.
“Every day is a game with Tom,” David said. “I know practice is practice, but he treats practice like a game. That’s one thing that I respected about him… he was a guy that was always prepared for it. You could tell by the way he practiced, the way he was really critical about certain things. He was a detail-oriented guy. It goes to show why he was one of the greatest.”
Lavonte David: “I Think I’m Deserving” Of A Gold Jacket
As for Lavonte David, his own greatness has become a topic of extensive discussion. Recently named one of the best linebackers in the game, the 35-year-old has played at a high level in his 30s and will be hoping to do so for what might be his final season.
For what David has done in Tampa Bay on and off the field as a player, leader, and person, there is no better example and precedent for “The Standard” when it comes to the Bucs looking to add more players.
Bucs ILB Lavonte David – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Reflecting on his career, Frank Sinatra’s iconic lyrics from “My Way” resonate deeply and ring true.
As he faces “the final curtain” after taking the blows and having his “share of losing,” no one can question that he has done it his way.
Hopefully, that’s enough to be immortalized as an NFL Hall of Famer and don the gold jacket that he has started to think about.
“Now I do [think about it], just because it’s been brought up to me plenty of times, David said. “I never really thought about that stuff, like the accolades. I just go out there, play football, and have fun. Now, people are saying it’s toward the end of my career, they’re just trying to stack it all up and see if I can earn a gold jacket.
“It gets asked to me frequently. When I really sit down and think about it, ‘Yeah, I think I’m deserving.’ A lot of people say it’s the All-Pros and the Pro Bowls, stuff like that. That’s something that’s out of my control. The things I can control is how I perform on the field. Honestly I feel like the numbers show that.”
All in all, Lavonte David wouldn’t have his career any other way, and his love for the game remains as strong as ever.
“I’m a fan of football,” David said. “I love the game of football. I don’t play it for all the other things; I just genuinely love playing football.”