Lavonte David Retires from NFL After 14 Seasons With Bucs, Won Super Bowl 55

Veteran linebacker Lavonte David is retiring after playing 14 years in the NFL and winning a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020.

"It's time. I've been playing football since I was 6 years old," he told Sports Illustrated's Matt Verderame. "Thirty years straight of football. I never missed a year. A lot of time, man. When it's time, when you know, you know. I always wanted to be a guy who wanted to retire on my own terms. Right now is the perfect opportunity for that. I give glory to God for me to be able to play football for this long. 

"For me, man, 14 years is enough. I'm comfortable with my decision. I'm satisfied with my career. When I first got into the league, I never, never, ever in a million years expected to play 14 years at a high level for the same organization. And it's something that doesn't come around often. I think it's time that I hang it up and let the next generation of players come in and take over the game."

The Glazer family also issued a statement:

"For the past 14 seasons, Lavonte David has personified what it means to be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. He was a selfless leader both on and off the field, playing with passion and a genuine love for the game. He leaves a legacy as a Super Bowl champion and one of the greatest players in franchise history, setting a standard that will continue to impact our organization for years to come. Today, we celebrate Lavonte's legendary career as one of the most accomplished players of his era and thank him for the many memorable moments he provided our fans. Beyond the statistics and accolades, he will be remembered throughout Tampa Bay for his humble demeanor and strong commitment to our community."

David's 1,172 tackles are second in franchise history behind Derrick Brooks. In terms of Pro Football Reference's Approximate Value metric, only Brooks and Ronde Barber rank ahead of him among Bucs defenders.

A second-round pick in 2012, David almost immediately became a leader for the Tampa Bay defense. He ranked fifth in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting and was an All-Pro by his second year in 2013.

Even into his mid-30s, the 2015 Pro Bowler remained a tone-setter on the field. He started in every game for the Buccaneers in 2025, finishing with 114 tackles, eight tackles for loss, one interception and two forced fumbles.

Tampa Bay effectively telegraphed David's exit by signing Christian Rozeboom on Monday. Having already added Alex Anzalone, the team looked pretty set at linebacker.

David presumably had options elsewhere if he wanted to extend his career for another season. The fact he'll never play for another team only adds to his legendary status within Buccaneers lore.