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Former NFL cornerback Vontae Davis was found dead Monday at a residence in South Florida, Davie police confirmed. He was 35.
“This morning, Davie Police Officers responded to 6051 SW 178th Avenue in reference to a medical call. Officers were called to the residence by the house assistant, who found the homeowner deceased. We can confirm that the deceased individual is Vontae Davis age 35. Preliminary information suggests that foul play is not involved,” Davie police said in a statement.
Police said the investigation remains active.
Davis made headlines in 2018 when, while playing for the Buffalo Bills, he abruptly retired at halftime of a September game against the Miami Dolphins.
In a statement released after the game he said he meant no disrespect to his teammates and coaches but said that while he was on the field that Sunday, he didn’t feel right and wondered whether he wanted to keep going.
“And truthfully, I do not because the season is long, and 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,” he said in the statement.
After playing three seasons at Illinois, he was first-round pick (25th overall) by the Miami Dolphins in 2009. His first NFL interception was a pick-six, the only touchdown of his career.
The Dolphins traded Davis to the Indianapolis Colts in 2012, a year when Miami was featured on HBO’s “Hard Knocks.” When then-Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland told him he’d been traded, his first reaction was to ask whether he could call his grandmother and his brother, a moment that went viral. He didn’t know cameras were inside the room at that time and told ESPN after he retired, “I felt kind of violated.”
“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,” the team said in a social media post Monday.
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. pic.twitter.com/mB1kYUpZqQ
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) April 1, 2024
He was selected to two Pro Bowls (2014-15) while playing in six seasons for the Colts.
Colts owner Jim Irsay and several of Davis’ former teammates, including wide receivers T.Y. Hilton and Reggie Wayne, reacted to news of his death on social media.
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
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
Sad Day. We used to battle everyday in practice. Sometimes it ended in a bunch of bickering and almost fights. 😂😢. We got each other better. It was a pleasure wearing the horseshoe with you homie. Rest easy “Champ.” Praying for your family and love ones. 🙏🏾🙏🏾 🙏🏾 R.I.P. #VD21 pic.twitter.com/zfb8efeX2o
— Reggie Wayne (@ReggieWayne_17) April 1, 2024
In 10 NFL seasons he had 22 interceptions, 97 passes defended and 395 tackles in 121 career games.
His older brother, Vernon Davis, also played in the NFL as a tight end and was a two-time Pro Bowl selection, retiring in 2019.
ESPN’s Stephen Holder contributed to this report.
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