Buccaneers LB Lavonte David, 12-time captain, retires from NFL
ESPN • • sports
Key Points:
- Buccaneers inside linebacker Lavonte David, a 12-time captain and key player in the team's 2020 Super Bowl LV victory, announced his retirement after 14 NFL seasons at age 36.
- David holds franchise records for tackles (1,714), forced fumbles (33), fumble recoveries (20), and tackles for loss, and ranks among the NFL's all-time leaders in solo tackles and defensive takeaways.
- He is one of only a few players in NFL history to record over 40 sacks, 30 forced fumbles, and 10 interceptions, placing him alongside Hall of Famers like Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher.
- David credited fatherhood and personal growth for his decision to retire, reflecting on his mother's passing in 2016 and the support from family and teammates throughout his career.
- With David's retirement and the departure of receiver Mike Evans, wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. becomes the longest-tenured Buccaneer, while the team has begun adding new inside linebackers to fill the void.
