Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles Praises Star LB Lavonte David After Playoff Loss

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David is receiving flowers from his head coach.
Jan 12, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) celebrates after a stop during the fourth quarter of a NFC wild card playoff against the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Jan 12, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) celebrates after a stop during the fourth quarter of a NFC wild card playoff against the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David just finished his 13th year with the team, which is no easy feat.

Even though he is getting up there in age, David still has impact for a Bucs defense that he has been apart of through the ups and downs. Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles commended David on his efforts throughout another successful season.

READ MORE: Buccaneers Assistant GM Tabbed for Second Interview By Raiders, Titans

"He's been putting in a yeoman’s effort all year," Bowles said. "Obviously to play 13 years like that and lead the team and everything that he was doing mentally and physically, I'm sure there’s wear and tear on his body, but he’s never showed it and he’s never said anything about it. You couldn't have a better — we couldn't ask for a better year from him."

David, 34, started all 17 games for the Bucs this season, recording 122 tackles and 5.5 sacks. He is a free agent once again this offseason, which means he may have played his final down with the team, and if that's the case, someone will have enormous shoes to fill in the middle of the defense next year.


READ MORE: Every Buccaneers Free Agent Heading into 2025

Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2024 season.

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• Every Buccaneers Free Agent Heading into 2025

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.