Lavonte David Shares Thoughts on Devin White's Situation With Buccaneers
There are 14 2020 first-round NFL Draft picks who wish they were in the situation Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White is in having to play this season under his fifth-year option year.
That's how many had their options declined this offseason from the class entering its fourth year since being drafted while the Buccaneers' fifth-overall pick from 2019 remains unhappy with the team's decision to not extend him prior to this coming season.
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While those 14 players would be envious of White facing the problem of playing football for $11.7 million, the fifth-year linebacker apparently wants more money or more security, or both.
And his desire for that being met by resistance from the Bucs led to his acting out of emotion says teammate and 11-year veteran linebacker Lavonte David.
"I know emotions got the best of him," David said of White's social media postings and trade demand. "I know Devin wants to be here, wants to play here...You know, I talked to him throughout the process - whatever that stuff was going on with him - I know the type of person Devin is so I know he's ready to get back out there and play football and be able to help us win."
Asked about what he spoke about with White the veteran leader who has spent his entire career with Tampa Bay earning multiple contracts along the way says he told the young linebacker about what could happen - and it's exactly what has happened.
"Don't let your emotions get the best of you," David says he told White. "Sometimes that can backfire against you, people use that against you...Show your passion, just show that you love the game, you want to be here for the city of Tampa, for the organization...and you love playing football with your teammates."
White's actions have certainly taken a negative spin in the media and public spaces, and in that sense may have backfired depending on what his intended responses were in the first place.
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That negativity isn't simply about the acts themselves but about the stature of a player in White's position on the team. Something David commented on as well.
"He's a captain, he's a leader, (and) a lot of guys look up to him as a young football player," David continued. "When he came in this game (as a) fifth-overall pick - made an immediate impact for us - so we definitely need him out there and he knows that."
David's words shouldn't be taken as a criticism of his teammate, but rather wise words from someone who has been through the ups and downs of NFL business for more than a decade.
And they come from someone who knows all about being disrespected, even if the brand he's experienced has come on a national scale, not local - and certainly not organizational.
"Sometimes you may feel disrespected, but you can't let that get to you," David said. "All you can do is control what you can control. And that's go out there and put the best tape out there on the field and everything will take care of itself."
Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82
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