When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take the field for the first time this season, a familiar face will be leading the charge for the defense.
Linebacker Lavonte David is back for a 13th NFL season, all with the Bucs, after signing another one-year deal Friday to remain in Tampa Bay.
Even at 33 years old last year, David proved he’s still one of the best players in the entire league at his position, which meant he would have had plenty of suitors in free agency.
So, why does he keep coming back to the only NFL team he’s ever known?
“I think it’s just my personal drive and my personal competitiveness – knowing that one day, everything would be how it is right now – being able to win three division championships and a Super Bowl,” David said Friday. “I just knew that one day, that would happen. We [were] able to get the right people in the building and we [were] able to do that. For me, personally, I felt like I was giving up if I’d do something like [go somewhere else]. For an organization to draft me and be able to have that faith in me, give me a contract after three years, it just goes to show how they feel about me. It was only right that I ride it out to see how far this thing is going to go. It’s been a blessing and I’m thankful. We got a Super Bowl and I love it, so I’m definitely grateful for that.”
After some lean years earlier in his career, the Bucs won a Super Bowl in 2020, and are currently riding a streak of four straight playoff appearances and three consecutive NFC South titles.
Now, David will once again be leading the Bucs out of the tunnel in 2024, looking for another postseason berth and more banners to hang at One Buc Place.
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