Former Georgia great Thomas Davis is about to hang up the cleats.
Davis, who initially announced his retirement from football in December, was officially released by the Washington Football Team on Wednesday. He was set to become a free agent on Wednesday.
The Carolina Panthers’ first round draft choice in 2005, Davis spent 14 years in Charlotte where he made three Pro Bowl teams and in 2015 was an All-Pro as he led the Panthers to Super Bowl 50.
He announced on Instagram that he would be signing a one-day contract with Carolina to retire as a Panther.
“The time has finally come and I want to thank each and every one of you for supporting me along this journey. The Washington Football Team has agreed to release me so that on March 11th, I will officially be returning to the place that my heart has been all along,” Davis wrote on Instagram. “By signing a one day contract, I will retire from the NFL as a Carolina Panther. Panthers thank you from the bottom of my heart for this opportunity.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CL-fSktlc_W/
The 2014 Walter Payton Man of the Year, Davis moved to the Los Angeles Chargers in 2019. He was reunited with his former Panthers’ coach Ron Rivera in Washington for the 2020 season.
In 199 career games, Davis recorded 1,216 tackles, including 90 for loss, 29 sacks, 18 forced fumbles and 13 interceptions. During his unique career, he tore his ACL three times and came back stronger and more determined after each injury. He played in the Super Bowl with a broken arm that was stitched together like football laces.
Davis was a four-sport star at Randolph-Clay High School in Cuthbert, Georgia. He played running back, wide receiver, quarterback, defensive end, defensive back, punter, kicker and kick returner at various times throughout his career. As a senior, he earned Class AA All-State honorable mention
Regarded by many as one of the finest high school athletes ever to come out of South Georgia, Davis was offered only one Division I football scholarship. He accepted the Georgia Bulldogs’ offer and became one of the most beloved players in the storied program’s history and one of its biggest supporters as an alumnus.
The hard hitting safety earned second-team All-SEC honors following his sophomore season. He was recognized as a first-team All-SEC selection and a consensus first-team All-American after his junior season in 2004. In 39 career games, Davis recorded 272 tackles, 18 for a loss, 10.5 sacks, three interceptions, six forced fumbles and nine fumble recoveries.
Davis founded the Thomas Davis Defending Dreams Foundation, and, with his wife Kelly, assists those in need and makes a positive impact on the lives of youths.
Congratulations and well done, TD. We wish you and your family the best of luck during your second act.
