Former NFL cornerback Vontae Davis was found dead Monday at a residence in South Florida, Davie police confirmed. He was 35.
“This morning, Davie Police Officers responded to 6051 SW 178th Avenue in reference to a medical call. Officers were called to the residence by the house assistant, who found the homeowner deceased. We can confirm that the deceased individual is Vontae Davis age 35. Preliminary information suggests that foul play is not involved,” Davie police said in a statement.
Police said the investigation remains active.
The Broward County Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Services said Monday it could take up to 90 days to determine Davis’ cause of death, pending a full examination and further testing.
Davis made headlines in 2018 when, while playing for the Buffalo Bills, he abruptly retired at halftime of a September game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
In a statement released after the game he said he meant no disrespect to his teammates and coaches but said that while he was on the field that Sunday, he didn’t feel right and wondered whether he wanted to keep going.
“And truthfully, I do not because the season is long, and 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,” he said in the statement.
After playing three seasons at Illinois, he was a first-round pick (25th overall) by the Miami Dolphins in 2009. His first NFL interception was a pick-six, the only touchdown of his career.
He was selected to two Pro Bowls (2014-15) while playing in six seasons for the Colts.
In 10 NFL seasons, he had 22 interceptions, 97 passes defended and 395 tackles in 121 career games.
His older brother, Vernon Davis, also played in the NFL as a tight end and was a two-time Pro Bowl selection, retiring in 2019.