Vontae Davis Dies at 35; Former NFL Pro Bowl CB Was Drafted in 1st Round in 2009

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVApril 1, 2024

Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Former NFL cornerback Vontae Davis was found dead Monday at a home in Southwest Ranches, Florida, according to Daniel Oyefusi and Grethel Aguila of the Miami Herald.

Davie police said officers were called to the scene and found the 35-year-old unresponsive. An investigation into his death remains ongoing and no foul play is suspected.

Davis spent 10 years in the NFL, the majority of which came with the Indianapolis Colts. He appeared in 76 games over six years on the Colts and was a Pro Bowler in 2014 and 2015. Team owner Jim Irsay mourned his death on X, with the Colts also issuing a statement:

Jim Irsay @JimIrsayExtremely saddened to hear of the passing of Vontae Davis. A great guy, teammate, player. My prayers to Vontae’s family.🙏

Indianapolis Colts @ColtsWe are devastated to hear of Vontae Davis’s passing. He will be deeply missed, and we send our prayers to his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/K10FdaLmNV

The Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills issued statements as well:

Miami Dolphins @MiamiDolphinsWe 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

Buffalo Bills @BuffaloBillsWe are saddened to learn of the passing of Vontae Davis.

We are thinking of his friends, family, and loved ones during this difficult time. ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/a2f5RtlQoj

Davis’ career began with the Dolphins, who selected him 25th overall in the 2009 draft. In 121 games, he had 395 tackles, 22 interceptions and 97 passes defended.

How his time in the NFL ended might be the one fact remembered the most from his decade-long run. While a member of the Bills, he exited a 2018 contest against the Los Angeles Chargers and walked away from the sport entirely.

Davis told ESPN’s Brendan Meyer in 2019 it was “one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life, honestly.” Meyer detailed how the veteran defensive back didn’t feel anything physically but that “his mind felt far away — like he was going through the motions in the game he’d spent more than a decade playing.”

Davis reiterated when looking back that abruptly retiring was the right choice for him at the time because his heart was no longer in football like it once had been.

Before making his way to the pros, the Washington, D.C., native had a decorated college run at Illinois. He was a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection and was a sophomore when the Fighting Illini reached the Rose Bowl in the 2007 season, their first trip to Pasadena, California, since the 1983 season.