Former Dolphins Star confirmed dead at age 40……

Former Dolphins Star confirmed dead at age 40……

Former Dolphins cornerback Vontae Davis found dead in Broward home. Police investigating

 

Former NFL cornerback Vontae Davis, a first-round pick of the Dolphins who played the first three seasons of his career in Miami, was found dead in a Broward mansion, police say. He was 35.

On Monday morning, Davie police responded to the home, located at the 6000 block of Southwest 178th Avenue in Southwest Ranches. They were called to the mansion by the house assistant, who found Davis unresponsive.

Investigators say they don’t suspect foul play. According to public records, Davis has lived at the Southwest Ranches home since 2016.

“The investigation remains ACTIVE and ongoing,” spokesperson Sgt. Kelvin Urbaez said.

Davis last played in 2018 as a member of the Buffalo Bills, notably leaving at halftime of a Week 2 game against the Los Angeles Chargers without telling coaches and teammates. After the game, he released a statement announcing his retirement.

“This isn’t how I pictured retiring from the NFL,” Davis said in the statement. “But in my 10th NFL season, I have been doing what my body has been programmed to do: Get ready to play on game day. I’ve endured multiple surgeries and played through many different injuries throughout my career and, over the last few weeks, this was the latest physical challenge. But today on the field, reality hit me fast and hard: I shouldn’t be out there anymore.”

The Miami Dolphins’ cornerback Vontae Davis is all smiles after a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Municipal Staium in Jacksonville onDecember 13,2009 ….JOE RIMKUS JR. / MIAMI HERALD STAFF JOE RIMKUS JR. MIAMI HERALD

The Dolphins selected Davis with the 25th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. Davis started 36 of 48 games in Miami, recording 149 combined tackles, nine interceptions and one sack.

Weeks before the start of the 2012 season, the Dolphins traded Davis to the Indianapolis Colts for a 2013 second-round pick and a conditional 2013 sixth-round pick. The emotional moment in which former Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland told Davis he was being traded was captured in HBO’s 2012 edition of “Hard Knocks.”

“I’ve got to call my grandmother,” a shocked Davis immediately says.

An exterior view of a home where former Dolphins cornerback Vontae Davis lived on Monday, April 1, 2024, in Southwest Ranches, Fla. Police Say Davis was found dead inside the Broward mansion. MATIAS J. OCNER mocner@miamiherald.com

The Dolphins on Monday released a statement on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Monday afternoon, writing: “We are heartbroken by the sudden passing of former Dolphins CB Vontae Davis and extend our deepest condolences to his family & loves ones during this difficult time.”

After being traded to the Colts, Davis spent his next six seasons in Indianapolis, where became a two-time Pro Bowler in 2014 and 2015. In March 2014, before his first Pro Bowl season, Davis signed a four-year, $39 million extension. During Davis’ time with the Colts, he started all 76 games he appeared in, recording 245 combined tackles, 13 interceptions and one sack.

Davis played in just five games in the 2017 season, as he lost his starting role and the Colts released him midseason. He signed a one-year deal with the Bills in February 2018 before abruptly retiring.

Jim Irsay, the owner of the Colts, wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Monday afternoon: “Extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Vontae Davis. A great guy, teammate, player. My prayers to Vontae’s family.”

Cornerback Vontae Davis has a good time during the Miami Dolphins Mini Camp at Nova Southeastern University in Davie on June 21st, 2012. Joe Rimkus Jr. Miami Herald Staff

Chester Frazier, an assistant basketball coach at Illinois, where Davis played college football, also wrote on X: “#illinination we lost a great today!!! RIP TO @vontaedavis man nothing but good memories of that dude in school!!! Praying for the Davis family!!”

A Washington, D.C. native, Davis was a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection at Illinois. Davis is the younger brother of former NFL tight end Vernon Davis, a two-time Pro Bowler who played 15 seasons.