Vontae Davis, a 10-year NFL cornerback who appeared in two Pro Bowls with the Indianapolis Colts, died at the age of 35, Davie (Fla.) police reported Monday.
According to investigators, Davis was found deceased at his house in Southwest Ranches, Florida. Officers responded to a call to the home from a house assistant, who discovered Davis deceased, authorities said.
“Preliminary information suggests that foul play is not involved,” the cops added. An investigation is still ongoing.
Davis last played for the Buffalo Bills in 2018. However, his tenure with the Bills was brief. Davis left his first start for the team at halftime of a Week 2 loss against the Los Angeles Chargers. He played only 29 defensive snaps.
“This isn’t how I pictured retiring from the NFL,” Davis stated in a postgame statement. “But in my tenth NFL season, I’ve been doing what my body is designed to do: get ready to play on game day. Throughout my career, I’ve had numerous operations and dealt with a variety of injuries, and this was the most recent physical difficulty. But today on the field, reality hit me hard: I shouldn’t be out there anymore.”
Davis spent six years with the Colts before joining the Bills, where he rose to prominence. In 2014, he had probably his greatest season, defending a career-high 18 passes, intercepting four, and forcing two fumbles in 15 regular-season games. Davis improved his play even more in the playoffs, with five pass breakups (the most he has ever had in a regular-season or postseason game) in a Divisional Round victory over the Broncos.
Indianapolis’ season ended in the AFC Championship game against eventual Super Bowl champion New England.
Davis was chosen a Pro Bowler during the Colts’ march to the AFC Championship Game that season, and again the following year, in 2015. Davis, Mike Adams (2014, 2015), Antoine Bethea (2007, 2009), and former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Bob Sanders (2005, 2007) are the only Colts defensive backs who have been selected to multiple Pro Bowls since the team relocated from Baltimore to Indianapolis in 1984.
“Everybody obviously recalls how he retired, which was at halftime of a game, which is hilarious, but such a Vontae move,” former teammate and Colts punter Pat McAfee remarked on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “If you knew him, you loved him and had a great time with him.” I haven’t spoken to him in months, and I’m not going to get to do it again.”
We just was on FT a couple weeks ago. I sill can’t believe you gone. I don’t wanna believe you gone! My head hurt so bad. 😢😢😢 RIP VD pic.twitter.com/fsqthKoCmc
— TY Hilton (@TYHilton13) April 1, 2024
Devastating and Heartbreaking news💔. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Davis family🙏🙏. It was an absolute honor and privilege being his coach in Indy. Great player but better person. Loved him like a son❤️❤️. RIP Vontae🙏🙏 https://t.co/ZzfwzILJrQ
— Chuck Pagano (@ChuckPaganoNFL) April 1, 2024
Extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Vontae Davis. A great guy, teammate, player. My prayers to Vontae's family.🙏
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) April 1, 2024
Another former Davis teammate, defensive back Darius Butler, who co-hosts McAfee’s show, also expressed his sympathy. Butler, who played with Davis for all six seasons in Indianapolis, said he learned of Davis’ death Monday morning but didn’t want to be the first to publicly reveal it.
