Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield Draws Praise From LB Lavonte David for 'Loving the Game'

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield inspires his teammates in more ways than one.

Nov 24, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) gestures after scoring a rushing touchdown during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

It's easy to tell that Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield is having fun out there playing football. From stolen celebrations to downfield blocks, Mayfield plays with a swagger that's infectious to Bucs fans everywhere — and it's infectious to players, too.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David recently spoke with NFL personality Kay Adams on her show Up & Adams, and despite playing on the defensive side of the ball to Mayfield's offensive side, he told Adams that Mayfield's joy spreads around the locker room and inspires players to get back to a core tenet of playing football — having fun.

"When you first started playing football, it was all for the fun of it — you know what I'm saying?" David told Adams. "And sometimes when you get into the game, especially at this level, it becomes a business... at the end of the day, you want to have fun, you know what I'm saying? And you see that with Baker. He's having fun. He's getting back to having fun and loving the game."

#Bucs LB @LavonteDavid54 on why seeing @bakermayfield "HAVING FUN" is so impactful 🤌🤌🤌@heykayadams @Buccaneers |#WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/u2nFL7XyTb

— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) November 26, 2024

Quarterbacks tend to be team leaders, and it's safe to say that David is one himself — he's been with Tampa Bay since 2012, after all. He's played a lot of football, and it makes sense that the business side of the game can dominate the football aspect when you've been in it for that long.

But whenever that happens, Mayfield keeps balling, and it makes everyone else on the team want to have fun out there, too.

"It just excites you," David said. "He's one of those guys who never lost the real thing of playing this football game, and that's having fun."

---

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

Follow BucsGameday on Twitter and Facebook

More Tampa Bay Buccaneers News

• Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield Files $12 Million Lawsuit Against Father's Company

• Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles Gives Injury Update on QB Baker Mayfield

• Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles Quips on Liam Coen Head Coaching Rumors

• Bucs Narrow NFC South Gap With Big Win Over Giants in Week 12