Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David announced his retirement after playing all 14 seasons of his NFL career with the franchise, making the announcement at the team’s practice facility. The 36-year-old linebacker was the heart and soul of Tampa Bay’s defense, helping the Buccaneers win a Super Bowl by dominating Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 on Feb. 7, 2021. David served as a 12-time captain and was the longest-tenured player on the Bucs’ current roster.

“I feel it’s time to move on and find a different path in life, be a dad to that amazing little girl over there,” David said. “Having a girl helped me become a man, helped me understand what’s important in life.” David choked up talking about his parents and the sacrifices they made for him and his siblings, saying his dad would take him to practice on a bicycle because his mom needed the family car for work.

“Lavonte’s mark on our franchise could never be overstated,” Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said. “For the entirety of his 14-year career, Lavonte set the standard for professionalism, leadership and consistency. He embodies everything that it means to be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer and he is undoubtedly one of the best players to ever put on this uniform.” David finished tied with Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks for the most tackles (1,714) in franchise history, according to team stats.

David is one of only five players in the past 35 seasons with 40 or more sacks and 35 or more takeaways, joining Hall of Famers Jason Taylor, Junior Seau, Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher. Since entering the league in 2012, David has ranked first in solo tackles (1,171) while his 177 tackles for a loss ranks second. He is the franchise record holder in forced fumbles (33) and fumble recoveries (21), third in games played (215) and games started (215) and fifth in sacks (42 1/2).

A second-round pick out of Nebraska in 2012, David was a first-team All-Pro in 2013 and made the second team in 2016 and 2020. He made the Pro Bowl in 2015 and missed just 14 games in 14 years. David was selected to the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade team and is one of just three players to record 40-plus sacks and 35-plus takeaways, along with Pro Football Hall of Famers Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher.

David said he almost quit football when his mother passed away in 2016. “The day she passed away, I thought I lost it all,” David said. “Luckily, I had friends and family by my side.” David has 41.5 sacks, 32 forced fumbles and 14 interceptions in his career, making him one of just four players in league history to record 40 career sacks, 30 forced fumbles and 10 interceptions.

“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,” The Glazer Family, owners of the Buccaneers, said in a statement. “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.” David holds the franchise playoff records for total tackles (79) and solo tackles (57).

David’s decision marks the end of another era in Tampa Bay, as six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans left the Buccaneers after 12 seasons, signing with the San Francisco 49ers in free agency. Both David and Evans were fan and coach favorites, team leaders and staples in the community throughout their tenure with the team. Several of his teammates and members of the organization filled the auditorium for David’s announcement.

The Buccaneers signed veteran linebackers Alex Anzalone and Christian Rozeboom in free agency, providing depth in advance of David’s departure. The team had just three inside linebackers under contract heading into 2026, prompting the signings of Anzalone two weeks ago and Rozeboom on Monday, who started 15 games for the Panthers last season.