Three-time All-Pro linebacker Lavonte David announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday, concluding a 14-year career spent entirely with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. David, who ranks seventh in NFL history with 1,716 tackles, cited the time being right to step away. The Buccaneers praised him as a Super Bowl champion and franchise legend.
Lavonte David, a cornerstone of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense, held a press conference Tuesday to reveal his retirement after 14 seasons in the NFL. All with the same team, his tenure included a Super Bowl 55 victory in 2021, where he earned NFC Defensive Player of the Month honors in September 2020 for a dominant start to the championship campaign. David never missed games despite a knee injury in his final 2025 season that required weekly fluid drainage and offseason arthroscopic surgery. He still posted 114 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 8.0 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles that year. Career totals feature 42.5 sacks, 177 tackles for loss and status as one of only two players in the last 35 years—alongside Julius Peppers—to reach 40 sacks, 30 forced fumbles, 20 recoveries and 10 interceptions. His 1,172 solo tackles led active players, tying Derrick Brooks for most in Buccaneers history. Honors include a 2015 Pro Bowl selection, first-team All-Pro in 2013 and second-team nods in 2016 and 2020. The Buccaneers signed linebacker Christian Rozeboom, who started 15 games for the Carolina Panthers last year, on Monday—a move signaling David's likely exit as an unrestricted free agent after three straight one-year deals. 'I just felt it was time,' David said. 'I never dreamed of playing 14 years in the NFL... It's been an incredible journey.' He grew emotional discussing his late parents and daughter. The Glazer family issued a statement: 'For the past 14 seasons, Lavonte David has personified what it means to be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer... He leaves a legacy as a Super Bowl champion and one of the greatest players in franchise history.' David ranks top seven all-time in total tackles and tackles for loss, accomplishments achieved with one franchise.
