Being Proactive Has Helped Lavonte David Stay On The Field And Stick With The Bucs
March 18th, 2025
Shares longevity insight.
There may be a lesson here for a couple of other Bucs defenders.
For Lavonte David, 35, to be entering his 14th season as one of the premier linebackers in the game, he first has to have good genes.
David was asked yesterday at One Buc Palace what he does to keep himself physically healthy. Very rarely do you see David miss consecutive games.
David said the trick for him is being proactive, no matter how small a bump or bruise may be.
“I think the main thing for me is just taking care of things while it’s a little problem, before making it a big problem,” David said. Any time I feel any nicks or bumps, any small little thing, I try to get on top of it really fast so it doesn’t become a big problem.
“Then, getting my conditioning level to where it needs to be and taking care of my body right away – eating right, doing what I’m supposed to be doing, being disciplined in all aspects.
“I just feel like the off the field life when you’re disciplined, it [carries] over to the on the field life.”
Joe took that last sentence to suggest that hitting the clubs today means hitting the unemployment line tomorrow.
Joe has heard more and more the past few years about how diets have helped players gain longevity. We all know Tom Brady, who played until he was 45, was famously strict about his diet. You know, the famed avocado ice cream?
(Anyone remember how Josh Freeman bragged he stopped at Taco Bell every day after practice? Then again, his problem wasn’t physical. His problem was between his ears.)
Once upon a time players just gutted it out. As long as you were walking, you were fine and only the weaklings and attention hogs ran to the doctor.
Now, with sports science and modern medicine, only the dumbarses try to act like the tough guy. And those are the guys who physically get worn down and are out of football before they hit 30.
March 18th, 2025 at 2:45 am
HOF awaits you legend.
March 18th, 2025 at 6:42 am
Fit the man for his gold jacket.
March 18th, 2025 at 8:25 am
If the Hall of Fame voters have integrity they should vote Lavente David in.
March 18th, 2025 at 8:34 am
This is one important aspect of what Licht alluded to a few years ago…. that “the Brady Effect” would linger for some time – and how good that would be for the franchise in the years following his retirement.
Being witness to Tom Brady’s dedication of being the best QB he could possibly be – on an every day, every practice, every meeting, every film session, every discussion basis – for three years – was very beneficial for every Buccaneer that was a part of that era….
That dedication permeated every aspect of Tom’s life and included strict diet, advanced training and recuperation methods, endless hours of study and planning and strategizing, constant communication with teammates on how to improve a technique or outsmart an opponent…
It allowed Tom to do what no football player has ever done – which is lead his team to greatness and play at the highest of levels within his own capabilities well into his mid 40s….
Ageing Superstars like ME13 and LD54 are extending their careers and maxing out their potential via Brady’s influence. Team leaders of the future like Wirfs and Winfield Jr will be passing on these lessons and examples to teammates well into the next decade….
The ‘stability’ that this franchise has settled into the last 5 years is such a welcome relief for long suffering older Buccaneers fans.
And I have a feeling the ‘good times’ are mostly gonna keep on a rollin -as long as Jason Licht is running this franchise…..
March 18th, 2025 at 8:34 am
I sure hope they do a 30 for 30 on Josh Freeman one day.
March 18th, 2025 at 8:38 am
And yea – if Lavonte David is denied a gold jacket – then the Hall of Fame is nothing but a joke….
March 18th, 2025 at 9:23 am
Great article, Joe. Legendary Lavonte.
March 18th, 2025 at 9:49 am
Funny you mentioned Taco Bell, and then “gutted”.
When many things are born in the gut
March 18th, 2025 at 11:36 am
Josh Freeman…What a flash in the pan. For a couple of years, a lot of us thought he was truly going to be our man, the man. And all of a sudden he fell apart like a doubled barrel shotgun. Just goes to show you, you never know.
March 19th, 2025 at 5:03 am
Great post, Joe. Lavonte is right on, taking care of his body. So much to that. Brady still has it going. He will be 48 in August. A lot of it has to do with genes too. Some can eat Taco Bell all the time and never have any problems. Always liked Josh. Felt bad for him. That was a strange time with Schiano. Hope Josh is doing well now. Haven’t heard much about him.
Pickgrin Says: “And yea – if Lavonte David is denied a gold jacket – then the Hall of Fame is nothing but a joke….” Fully agree! And it goes for Mike Evans too.