Former NFL cornerback Vontae Davis, a first-round choose within the 2009 draft, has died on the age of 35.
Police discovered Davis’s physique on Monday morning in a home in Southwest Ranches, a suburban neighborhood within the Miami space.
“Officers have been known as to the residence by the home assistant, who discovered the home-owner deceased,” Davie Police Division mentioned in an announcement. “We will verify that the deceased particular person is Vontae Davis age 35. Preliminary data means that foul play will not be concerned.”
Davis, who was identified for his considerate and quiet manner, had an outstanding faculty profession at Illinois earlier than he was picked within the first-round of the 2009 draft by the Miami Dolphins. In 2012 he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts the place he loved his greatest years within the NFL, and was named to the Professional Bowl in 2014 and 2015. His last season got here with the Buffalo Payments in 2018, the place he gained consideration when he introduced his retirement at half-time of a sport towards the Los Angeles Chargers.
“I meant no disrespect to my teammates and coaches,” he mentioned on the time. “However I maintain myself to an ordinary. Mentally, I at all times count on myself to play at a excessive stage. However bodily, I do know right this moment that isn’t doable, and I had an sincere second with myself … it’s extra necessary for me and my household to stroll away wholesome than to willfully embrace the warrior mentality and limp away too late. This was an amazing determination, however I’m at peace with myself and my household.”
Extraordinarily saddened to listen to of the passing of Vontae Davis. An important man, teammate, participant. My prayers to Vontae’s household.🙏
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) April 1, 2024
Jim Irsay, the principal proprietor of the Colts, paid tribute to Davis on Monday.
“Extraordinarily saddened to listen to of the passing of Vontae Davis. An important man, teammate, participant. My prayers to Vontae’s household,” Irsay wrote on X.
The Colts described him in an announcement as somebody who “carried a smile and optimistic vitality day-after-day”.
Davis got here from a soccer household: his brother Vernon performed tight finish for the San Francisco 49ers and Washington and was additionally a two-time Professional Bowler. The pair have been raised by their grandmother alongside their 4 different siblings in Washington DC. In 2015 Davis married his girlfriend, Megan Harpe.
Davis turned CEO of a Florida wellness spa after his retirement and mentioned he had no regrets about his determination to stroll away from soccer.
“Most individuals, once I did what I did, they thought I used to be actually going insane or one thing,” he advised ESPN in 2019. “However I used to be really high quality. I used to be completely high quality. And I’m completely high quality right this moment.”
