Vontae Davis, a former Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts cornerback, died Monday in his South Florida home, according to local authorities.
Davis, a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback, was found dead at his grandmother’s home in Florida. According to the police report, no foul play was involved, and the investigation is ongoing.
Davis played in the NFL for ten seasons, beginning with the Miami Dolphins in 2009 and joining the Indianapolis Colts in 2012, where he remained until the 2017 season.
In 2018, he signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills, but abruptly retired at halftime during the Bills’ 31-20 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
After the game, Davis stated that he realized his heart was no longer in the NFL.
“Today on the field, it really hit me fast and hard: I shouldn’t be out there anymore,” Davis wrote in an Instagram post. “While on the field, I just didn’t feel right.
“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.”
The Dolphins, Colts, and Bills extended their condolences to Davis’ family and loved ones.
“We are heartbroken by the sudden passing of former Dolphins CB Vontae Davis and extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time,” the team said in a statement.
In a statement, Colts owner Jim Irsay said he was praying for Davis’ family.
“We are deeply grieved to learn of Vontae Davis’ loss. “A fantastic person, teammate, and player,” Irsay wrote.
“He was a standout player in his six seasons with the Horseshoe, but he was an even better teammate who carried a smile and positive energy every day,” the team said in a statement.
“We are devastated to learn of Vontae Davis’ loss. “We are thinking of his friends, family, and loved ones during this difficult time,” the Bills wrote.
Davis was named to the Pro Bowl in both 2014 and 2015, and his career totals were 22 interceptions, 97 passes defensed, and 395 tackles.
