Selected by Tampa Bay in the second round (58th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft.
2013 AP All-Pro First-Team Selection.
2x AP All-Pro Second-Team Selection (2016, 2020)
NFC Defensive Player Of The Month (September 2020).
2x NFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 12, 2013; Week 10, 2015).
2020 ESPN All-Pro Selection
USA Today All-Joe Team (2012, 2013).
2012 PFWA All-Rookie Team.
NFC Defensive Rookie Of The Month (November 2012).
Has started all 198 regular season games that he has played, totaling 1,600 tackles (169 for loss), 73 quarterback hits, 70 passes defensed, 39.0 sacks, 13 interceptions (two returned for touchdown), 30 forced fumbles, 19 fumble recoveries (one returned for touchdown) and one safety.
Started 10 playoff games, recording 79 tackles (six for loss), four passes defensed, three quarterback hits, 3.0 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Ranks second in team history with 1,600 tackles and tied-for-sixth in team history with 39.0 sacks.
His 198 career games played and games started both rank third in franchise history.
David ranks second in franchise history in postseason tackles (79), trailing only Derrick Brooks (93). His 3.0 career postseason sacks rank fifth.
Has served as Buccaneers Captain from 2014-24.
Has led the Buccaneers in tackles in 10 times (2012-15, 2017-19, 2022-24) and tackles for loss six times (2012-16, 2023).
Joined Ray Lewis as only players in NFL history to record 1,000 tackles, 20.0 sacks and 10 interceptions through their first eight seasons.
Selected to NFL.com's 2010s All-Decade Team.
Ranks first the NFL in solo tackles (1,109), second in total tackles (1,600), and is third in tackles for loss (169) among all NFL players since entering the league in 2012.
Since 2000, David's 11 seasons with 100+ tackles are third-most in the NFL, trailing only London Fletcher (14) and Bobby Wagner (13).
David has four career seasons with 100+ tackles and 15+ tackles for loss — the most in the NFL since tackle for loss data became available in 2008.
David is credited with 32 takeaways (13 interceptions, 19 fumble recoveries), 13th-most in the NFL since 2012 and the most by any front-seven player.
One of only two players in the NFL with at least 1,300 tackles, 20.0 sacks and 10 interceptions since the start of the 2012 season (also Bobby Wagner).
Dating back to 2012, ranks tied for fourth among all players with 32 forced fumbles and first with 19 opponent fumble recoveries.
David's 19 fumble recoveries are tied with Jared Allen and Ray Lewis for the third-most by any player since 2000. He trails only Hall of Famers Julius Peppers and Jason Taylor.
His 19 career fumble recoveries are a Buccaneers franchise record.
Since 2012, ranks tied for second among NFL linebackers in interceptions with 13 and tied for fifth among linebackers with two interceptions returned for touchdowns, while being second among active linebackers in passes defensed (70).
Is one of eight players to record 40+ sacks and 30+ takeaways (including playoffs) since 1991, joining Karlos Dansby, Ray Lewis, London Fletcher, Julius Peppers, Junior Seau, Jason Taylor and Brian Urlacher.
Since joining Tampa Bay in 2012, has helped lead a defense that ranks second in the NFL in rushing yards allowed (102.0), is third in yards per rush (4.00) and is third in takeaways in the NFL (322).
Was 1-of-2 players in the NFL in 2024 with 100+ tackles and 5.0+ sacks.
David was the lone player in the NFL in 2023 with 100+ tackles, 15+ tackles for loss and 3.0+ sacks.
Tampa Bay's 2020 defense led the league in rushing yards allowed per game (80.6) and yards allowed per
rush (3.60), while ranking sixth in yards allowed per play (5.12), sixth in yards allowed per game (327.1), ranking tied for second in tackles for loss (91), tied for fourth in sacks (48.0) and tied for fifth in takeaways (25).
His five fumble recoveries in 2017 are a Buccaneers single-season franchise record.
A key contributor on the Buccaneers defense in 2019, which led the league in rushing yards allowed and opposing rushing average.
Recorded first fumble recovery return touchdown when he stripped Larry Fitzgerald, scooped the football and continued 21 yards for the score, at Arizona (10/15/17).
In 2016, tied for NFL lead, and most among linebackers, with 17 tackles for loss.
Garnered Associated Press Second-Team All-Pro honors following the 2016 season.
Named to first Pro Bowl following the 2015 season when he ranked third in the league in tackles (147) and added three sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 13 passes defensed (most among NFL linebackers).
Named Associated Press All-Pro First-Team following 2013 season when he ranked fifth in the NFL in both tackles (143) tackles and interceptions (5). Added a safety, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and 10 passes defensed,
Tied for league lead with 14.5 run stuffs in 2013, according to STATS, Inc., and ranked third in the NFL in tackles for loss (20), behind Robert Quinn and J.J. Watt.
Ranked by Pro Football Focus as the No. 1 run stuffing outside linebacker and finished with the third-most quarterback pressures (sacks, QB hits, hurries) at the position in 2013.
Only NFL player with 125+ tackles and 6+ sacks in 2013.
In 2013, became only the second player since 1982 to record at least 7.0 sacks and five interceptions in the same season (S Dave Duerson).
In 2012, led the Buccaneers in tackles as a rookie, posting 139 tackles, tied for the seventh-most in the NFL. Also posted 112 solo tackles, the second- most in the league.
Named to USA Today's All-Joe Team in both 2012 & 2013.
Selected to PFW/PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2012.
Only linebacker in Buccaneers history with two multiple-interception games.
Scored first career touchdown on a 20-yard interception return (Mark Sanchez) in win at Philadelphia (11/22/15).
Registered his first career interception (Peyton Manning) at Denver (12/2/12).
Notched his first career sack vs. Philadelphia (12/9/12).
Started in his NFL debut against Carolina (9/9/12).
Was named a team captain for the 2024 season.
Played 58-of-59 defensive snaps in the Week 1 victory over the Washington Commanders, finishing with six tackles.
Played all 85 defensive snaps in the Week 2 victory at the Detroit Lions, recording six tackles.
In Week 3 vs. Denver, played all 68 defensive snaps and logged eight tackles and one forced fumble.
His forced fumble in Week 3 was his first of the season and the 29th of his career — second-most among all active players at the time.
With his start in Week 3, David passed Paul Gruber for the fourth-most games played (184) and the third-most games started (184) in Buccaneers franchise history.
Played all 57 defensive snaps in the Week 4 victory over Philadelphia, recording a team-high eight tackles (two for loss), 2.0 sacks, one forced fumble, one pass defensed and one quarterback hit.
With his performance in Week 4, David eclipsed 1,500 career tackles and joined Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks as the only players in franchise history to reach that milestone.
David's two sacks in Week 4 increased his career total to 35.5, surpassing Chidi Ahanotu and giving him sole possession of the seventh-most sacks in franchise history.
His forced fumble in Week 4 marked his 30th career forced fumble, tying him with Khalil Mack (LAC) for the most among all active players at the time. His 30 career forced fumbles are the most by any inside linebacker in NFL history since forced fumble data became available in 1994.
David was Tampa Bay's highest-graded player in the Week 4 victory, according to Pro Football Focus, earning a 90.4 overall grade.
In the Week 4 win over the Eagles, David generated a team-high 50% pressure rate, recording four pressures and 2.0 sacks on only eight rushes.
Through 4 weeks, David had recorded nine pressures -- good for second-most on the Buccaneers and most among off- ball linebackers in the NFL.
Played 86-of-87 defensive snaps in Week 5 at Atlanta, logging eight tackles, two passes defensed and one interception.
With his interception in Week 5, David tied Bobby Wagner and Jordan Hicks (13) for the most interceptions among active linebackers.
Played 61-of-70 defensive snaps in the Week 6 win over New Orleans, totaling a team-high nine tackles (one for loss), 1.0 sack and one quarterback hit. His sack in Week 6 increased his career total to 36.5.
Played all 59 defensive snaps in Week 7 vs. Baltimore, logging two tackles (one for loss) and one pass defensed.
His pass defensed in Week 7 was the 68th of his career — good for second-most among active linebackers at the time.
David's tackle for loss against the Ravens in Week 7 marked the 164th of his career — third-most among all players since 2012.
Played 54-of-62 defensive snaps in Week 8 vs. Baltimore, totaling eight tackles (one for loss). His tackle for loss was the 165th of his career — at the time, third- most among all active players (trailing only Calais Campbell and Von Miller) and third-most in the NFL since he entered the league in 2012 (trailing only J.J. Watt and Aaron Donald).
Played all 85 defensive snaps in Week 9 at Kansas City, logging eight tackles.
In Week 10 vs. San Francisco, played all 64 defensive snaps and finished with eight tackles.
Played all 59 defensive snaps in the Week 12 win at the New York Giants, totaling five tackles, one forced fumble and one pass defensed.
David's forced fumble in Week 12 was the 31st of his career — second-most among active players at the time.
David's Week 12 pass defensed was the 69th of his career, tying him with Bobby Wagner for most among all active linebackers at the time.
According to Pro Football Focus, David was Tampa Bay's highest-graded defensive player in the Week 12 win over
Started all 27 games he played in at Nebraska (2010-11), recording 285 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, two interceptions, 12 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two fumbles recovered.
In 2011, earned first-team All-American honors from the American Football Coaches Association, CBS and ESPN
Also earned first-team All-Big Ten accolades (coaches, media, ESPN.com, Yahoo.com, Phil Steele).
Was a finalist for the Butkus Award (Top Linebacker), semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award (Top Defensive Player) and semifinalist for the Lott Trophy (Top Defensive IMPACT Player) in 2011.
Named the 2011 Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year and Nebraska team MVP.
2011 Guy Chamberlin Award Winner for his play and contributions to the betterment of the University of Nebraska football team.
As a senior, led Nebraska with 133 tackles and ranked third in the Big Ten in tackles per game.
Also led Nebraska in tackles for loss (13.0), sacks (5.5), interceptions (2), forced fumbles (2) and fumble recoveries (2) in 2011.
In 2010, set school record with 152 tackles.
His 285 career tackles rank fourth in school history, and most by a two-year player.
Recorded a career-high 19 tackles in one game against South Dakota State, the seventh-most in school history.
Was named first-team All-American (Rivals.com and CBS), unanimous first- team Big 12 and Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, as selected by the coaches, in 2010.
Prior to his time at Nebraska, led Fort Scott Community College (Fort Scott, Kansas) to the Junior College National Championship Game, while ranking among the conference's leaders in tackles and tackles for loss.
Was named Defensive MVP of the JUCO National Championship Game.
Two-time first-team All-Jayhawk Conference selection and a Region VI All-American in 2009.
During his first season at Fort Scott, led the Jayhawk Conference with 93 tackles.
Majored in criminology and criminal justice.
In 2020, supported Big Brothers, Big Sisters as part of the NFL's My Cause, My Cleats initiative.
David participated in the 7th Annual Cut for a Cure with the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation and helped raise $100,000.
As a national ambassador for Big Brother Big Sister, Lavonte hosted his 4th annual bowling event benefiting the organization in 2019.
David coordinated with teammates to help donate weekly meals from local businesses to Metropolitan Ministries, helping feed those in need during COVID-19.
In October 2016, joined teammates and the entire Buccaneers business operations staff for the team's "Hometown Huddle," helping to refurbish the Sulphur Springs K-8 School and Community Center and interact with students.
In June 2016, was named a national ambassador and BIG Champion for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, with the mission of creating more matches between children and caring, adult mentors across the United States.
In May 2016, helped dedicate a Buccaneers Academy at Bevis Elementary School, which was awarded a Fitness Zone and also presented with a special assembly and P.E. equipment for winning the 2016 Play 60 Challenge.
In November 2015 and 2016, hosted a bowling event to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay.
In July 2015, hosted his inaugural free backpack and school supply donation to youth in his hometown of Miami, FL.
In June 2015, had his head shaved by children battling cancer as part of the Buccaneers Cut for a Cure to raise funds and awareness for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation.
Paired up with United Way volunteers and students to install a "Learning Garden" at Edison Elementary in October 2013 and at Davis Elementary in September 2015.
Led students through football drills and promoted the importance of health and fitness for the opening of Buccaneers Academy Fitness Zones at Foster Elementary in September 2012 and Sulphur Springs Elementary in December 2012.
As a member of the Buccaneers Rookie Club in 2012, visited youth at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg and sang holiday carols to residents at Westminster Palms retirement home, visited MacDill Air Force Base to thank civilian workers and active duty military for their service, helped host a lunch for service members at Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater and visited veterans recovering from injury and illness at Bay Pines VA Hospital, hosted an educational scavenger hunt for children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay at Busch Gardens Tampa, and greeted patients at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in May 2012.
Volunteered time while at Nebraska with team hospital visits and the Husker Heroes program.
Attended Northwestern High School (Miami, Florida).
Won back-to-back Florida state titles in 2006 and 2007, while finishing with undefeated records both years.
Son of the late Lynette David.
Born Lavonte David on January 23, 1990, in Miami, Florida.
