Against the Panthers in Week 18, Buccaneers inside linebacker Lavonte David etched his name in franchise lore once again. He tied Derrick Brooks for sixth all-time in tackles recorded by Statspass with 1,714. In the process, he tied Brooks as Tampa Bay's all-time leading tackler per Statspass records.
David recorded a fumble recovery off a botched flea flicker, which gave him his 35th career takeaway, joining him with Pro Football Hall of Famers Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher as the only players with 40-plus sacks and 35-plus takeaways since at least 1982. He finished with a team-high six tackles and throughout his career, Davis has posted 21 career fumble recoveries – a franchise record – most among all active players, and second-most among all players since 1991.
"It's very fitting for me, I'm proud of it for sure," said David. "When I came and started playing this game, I never looked at the records, never looked at the accolades. Man, like I told the guys, I love the game of football, I just flat out love it. I love the way we just go out there and compete and just have that may the best man mentality, and that's what I like to be a part of and why I go out and do what I do. But for me to be in that category and be in the same breath as Derrick Brooks, me growing up watching Derrick Brooks and seeing what he did and how much he meant to this organization, and for me to follow in those exact footsteps, it's an incredible feat. I give glory to God for allowing me to play this long and allowing me to be a part of this great organization, and to have the support that I have from my family and 'DB' (Derrick Brooks) throughout this journey is definitely a blessing for me."
David, a 12-time team captain, is one-of-two players since tackles began being tracked in 1994 with 1,500-plus tackles, 40.0-plus sacks and 10-plus interceptions. In addition, he is one-of-four players to record at least 40.0-plus sacks, 30-plus forced fumbles and 10-plus interceptions. He is touted as one of the best off-ball linebackers in the game with outstanding play recognition and instincts on the field. David has been the heart and soul of the Bucs' defense for the past decade, fueling its success. On Saturday with the division hunt on the line, David delivered a vintage performance.
"[I'm] just a kid from Miami, Florida, I never thought I'd be here," described David. "I was just playing football just to play football and then got the opportunity to make it to the league and I seized it. That's what I think about the most, thinking about the support through that journey and the people that have been with me since day one, being able to experience this whole thing with me. I'm grateful, I'm thankful and as always I just try to represent the name on the back of my jersey, the 'David' name."
