Vontae Davis, former NFL cornerback for the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills, has died, with the trio of organizations confirming the somber news on Monday. He was 35 years old, just two months shy of his 36th birthday.
The cause and circumstances surrounding his death are unknown. According to the Davie Police Department, Davis was found dead in his Florida home on Monday morning after being discovered by the house assistant, per ESPN Colts reporter Stephen Holder. A death investigation is currently in the preliminary stages, though investigators have said they do not expect foul play.
In a social media post Monday, the Dolphins said, “We are heartbroken by the sudden passing of former Dolphins CB Vontae Davis and extend our deepest condolences to his family & loved ones during this difficult time.”
Davis, who had a ten-year career in the NFL, is best remember for what could only be called a unique and abrupt retirement in 2018. At halftime of the Bills’ Week 2 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Davis retired and released a detailed statement afterward explaining his decision.
“Today on the field, reality hit me fast and hard: I shouldn’t be out there anymore. It’s more important for me and my family to walk away healthy than to willfully embrace the warrior mentality and limp away too late.”
After he walked away suddenly from the game, Davis seemed to be in a good place. The Washington Post did a feature profile on him in late 2019, a year after he left the game, and he had recently published “Middle School Rules,” a children’s book in which professional athletes share lessons they learned growing up along the way.
Davis was vulnerable and shared his own personal story in the book: a less than ideal upbringing in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. with an abusive father and a drug-addicted mother. His grandmother was a hero, saving him and his six siblings, including former NFL tight end Vernon Davis, by taking them from foster care and adopting him. His older brother, Vernon, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, retired in 2019.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn school, Davis excelled athletically in both football and track, and ended up attending the University of Illinois. He entered the NFL in 2009 as a first-round draft pick of the Dolphins (No. 25 overall) and played the first three years of career with Miami. He also was a two-time All-Pro selection, 2014-2015, while with the Colts.
Davis was arrested back in February in Miami for driving under the influence. He hit a truck pulled over with a flat tire, then was found asleep by the side of the road when police arrived. He was forthcoming and admitted to authorities at the scene that he had been drinking.
The Bills posted this statement on social media: We are saddened to learn of the passing of Vontae Davis. We are thinking of his friends, family, and loved ones during this difficult time
As news of Davis’ death began to spread, tributes started to pour in on social media. Colts’ owner Jim Irsay and former teammates Pat McAfee and T.Y. Hilton all shared their thoughts and feelings about Davis’ untimely passing, as did many others.
Irsay stated on social media: Extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Vontae Davis. A great guy, teammate, player. My prayers to Vontae’s family.
In 10 NFL seasons, Davis had 22 interceptions, 97 passes defended and 395 tackles in 121 career games.
