No cause of death was listed.
Former two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Vontae Davis was found dead at age 35 in Florida, police confirmed on Monday.
A statement issued by the Davie Police Department in Broward County said officers were called to a home due to a “medical call.” A house assistant said that the homeowner, identified by police as Mr. Davis, was “found deceased.”
The police statement added that “foul play is not involved,” but it said that an “investigation remains ACTIVE.”
Mr. Davis’s cause of death has not been released. The home where he was found is owned by Adaline Davis, the former NFL player’s grandmother,
reported WSVN-TV, citing local property records.
A former University of Illinois standout, Mr. Davis was selected 25th overall by the Miami Dolphins during the 2009 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons with Miami before he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts, earning two Pro Bowl nominations with the Colts in 2014 and 2015.
After his stint with the Colts, he played for one season with the Buffalo Bills. Notably, he retired during halftime during a Bills game in week two of that season and didn’t return to the field.
“Today on the field, reality hit me fast and hard,” he said in a
statement at the time, explaining his retirement. “I shouldn’t be out there anymore.”
That statement added that he underwent several surgeries and different injuries. “I hold myself to a standard. Mentally, I always expect myself to play at a high level. But physically, I know today that isn’t possible,” he said.
“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,” Mr. Davis added.
In his 10 NFL seasons and 121 career games, he notched 22 interceptions, 97 passes defended, and 395 tackles,
according to NFL.com.
His older brother, Vernon Davis, played in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, and Baltimore Ravens, retiring in 2019 after earning two Pro Bowl nominations and a Super Bowl victory.
Other details about Mr. Davis’s death were not provided.
League Reactions
After it was confirmed that Mr. Davis had died on Monday, his former teams and teammates issued statements offering condolences.“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 Dolphins said in a
statement issued on Monday. The Bills
provided a similar statement.
Colts owner Jim Irsay
wrote on social media: “Extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Vontae Davis. A great guy, teammate, player. My prayers to Vontae’s family.”
“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[d] ones,”
wrote former Colts receiver Reggie Wayne on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“I s[t]ill can’t believe you gone. I don’t wanna believe you gone!”
wrote former Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton on the platform.
The NFL also released a statement on X,
saying the league is “heartbroken to hear about the passing of Vontae Davis. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
“Crushing to hear about Vontae man.. He was truly one of a kind. There was never a time Vontae didn’t light up a room a make people laugh. He was an extraordinary teammate and person to be around. My love and prayers go out to the Davis family,”
wrote former Colts running back Robert Turbin.
