Normally, professional players enjoy proving critics wrong, but Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David has a different approach.
At a March 22 press conference, David informed Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht, “I’m definitely going to prove you right.” According to NFL.com, David, a 13-year veteran, has a one-year contract “worth up to $10 million” as he aims to continue his illustrious career with the organization.
“He’s elite in every way — as a person, as a player, and in his stats,” Licht told reporters on March 22. “It’s not his stats — he’s not a tackle collector — but he makes these plays when they count, and he does so repeatedly.
He is currently playing at the highest level he has ever played, and he will continue to do so. He’s definitely on a Hall of Fame track.”
Licht took a time to mock Hall of Fame voter and Buccaneers podcast host Ira Kaufman about David. David, a former second-round pick from Nebraska, has 1,480 tackles, 33.5 sacks, 28 forced fumbles, 18 fumble recoveries, 12 interceptions, 64 pass deflections, and three defensive touchdowns in his career.
“The best words I’ve ever heard spoken. “I appreciate it,” David remarked. “Like I said before, I thank you for the constant communication and the will to be able to get this thing done — for me to be able to come back for another year.”
“Obviously, it’s a dream of mine, as well as anyone’s, to spend your entire career with one team. I’d like to thank the Glazer family and everyone else who helped make this possible for me and my family,” David said.
Lavonte David: ‘I Just Knew’
David’s first season with the Buccaneers in 2012 did not go as planned. Prior to Tom Brady’s debut in 2020, the team had eight years of largely losing seasons and no playoff appearances.
“I think it’s just my personal drive and my personal competitiveness — knowing that one day, everything would be how it is right now — being able to win three division championships and a Super Bowl,” he added. “I just knew that one day, that would happen.”
“We were successful in getting the correct people into the building. For me, doing anything like [go somewhere else] seemed like giving up. For an organization to draft me and believe in me enough to give me a contract after three years simply goes to show how they feel about me,” David concluded.
“It was only natural that I rode it out to see how far this beast could go. It has been a blessing, and I am grateful. We got a Super Bowl, which I adore, so I’m quite glad for that,” David said.
Lavonte David Explains Primary Reason for Longevity in the NFL
Few players live as long as David in the NFL, and he sees it as a blessing beyond himself.
“First and foremost is God’s grace. I’ve been fortunate to be in this situation and to be able to play at such a high level despite numerous setbacks — injuries and so on,” David remarked. “To be able to play full seasons without having [any] crazy things happen — no real surgeries and stuff like that — it’s definitely glory to God for that.”
“Adding to it, I’m just trying to take care of myself [by] being on top of things year-round and not letting small things turn into big things and just doing what I’m supposed to do and being where I’m supposed to be and being disciplined throughout the process,” he concluded.
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