Local Disrespect For Lavonte David
March 20th, 2025
So there’s been an obsession this week at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters.
At the Buccaneers’ official YouTube channel, the views of Lavonte David’s Monday news conference celebrating him agreeing to a 14th season with the team are less than the views of the news conference held minutes later featuring new Bucs backup offensive tackle Charlie Heck.
How is that possible? Joe can’t stop refreshing to see if order has been restored.
The total views of David’s video sit at about 5,600 as Joe types this. Heck’s got 5,800.
The Friday news conference video for new Bucs edge rusher Haason Reddick has 15,000-plus views, so does the mid-March media session for Chris Godwin’s return.
Joe thinks about that and considers how in a poll here three weeks ago, only 13 percent of fans said David was their top priority in 2025 free agency.
Maybe David just isn’t that popular? Local fans don’t go crazy voting him into the Pro Bowl. However, legions of fans and the Bucs’ organization do proclaim deep love and affection for David and often bark about how he’s disrespected nationally.
So that has Joe wondering why neither Todd Bowles nor Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht showed up to be a part of David’s Monday news conference.
No assistant coaches attended. No assistant GM. No players. No Glazers.
If those folks all think David doesn’t get appropriate respect, then maybe they should realize their actions on Monday fit perfectly into that narrative.
Did anyone invite franchise legend Derrick Brooks to the David news conference to help celebrate him signing up for a 14th Bucs season, which will tie Brooks’ historic Tampa Bay tenure? Joe doubts it.
Joe will continue to monitor the views battle between the Heck and David videos. You got this, Lavonte.
March 20th, 2025 at 4:36 pm
LVD is so consistent maybe there’s a bit of taking for granted.
He’s definitely a fan fav from my perspective.
David is the flash, doesn’t need the flash
March 20th, 2025 at 4:38 pm
One of the best players I have ever seen play in person and I’ve been around since 1976 – literally never takes a play off – HOF er for me
March 20th, 2025 at 4:47 pm
Heck and Riddick are new, and it’s exciting to get their perspective on being in Tampa, how they got here and what they’ll bring. LVD, we all know him.This is rinse and repeat season for him.
March 20th, 2025 at 4:47 pm
All Bucs fans have nothing but respect for LVD. But you’re right in saying that perhaps he gets taken for granted. Everyone wants to see the new thing, and LVD is about as far from new as it gets. Great player. Love the man. But the view thing is just human nature. I do agree though, it would’ve been nice to have Licht, Bowles, and Brooks in attendance. That would’ve shown great respect.
March 20th, 2025 at 4:47 pm
I think he is a 2nd or 3rd ballot HOF for sure.
Thanks LD
March 20th, 2025 at 4:48 pm
I watched both press conferences.
March 20th, 2025 at 5:08 pm
Whoever is doing the writing here must have a slow day going on! You’re actually judging fan loyalty to a player by YouTube watch numbers?! Hahahahaha! Hilarious. You can do better.
Actually, Joe gave many “loyalty” examples in this post. Joe writes about what Joe finds interesting. –Joe
March 20th, 2025 at 5:08 pm
Evans, Godwin, and David have been class acts of the NFL for many years and some of my favorite Bucs during that time as well! I think David, along with many of the Bucs, don’t worry about the publicity and are content doing their jobs, both on and off the field!
Great players and human beings! We’re lucky to have cheered them on for so long!!
March 20th, 2025 at 5:14 pm
Good on ya, Joes. Advocacy and more advocacy for Lavonte are necessary.
March 20th, 2025 at 5:15 pm
Joe is now desperate.
Joe is neither desperate nor diabolical. Joe sees the evidence piling up when it comes to disrespect of Lavonte David, and Joe cares about it. Unacceptable. –Joe Seriously Joe. I’ll skip the next video count post. Smh
March 20th, 2025 at 5:28 pm
Dude has to be one of the most underrated players in sports period.
March 20th, 2025 at 5:33 pm
I think the views element, while part of a larger (unanswered) narrative, is small potato’s compared to no higher ups present at the press conference, the fact that no one of note was there is criminal. Really sad to hear for LVD, but honestly par for the course in David’s career. An all-timer who never gets his due
March 20th, 2025 at 5:42 pm
Lavonte IS the man. I don’t even recognize this other guy’s name. Lavonte is awesome.! Rock on brother I hope you get the Hall of Fame.
March 20th, 2025 at 5:47 pm
LOL It’s literally Joe’s website. Don’t read it if you don’t want to.
I don’t disrespect him at all (LVD) but my attention span is like 7 seconds, so mostly I do TikTok for the Buc interviews.
March 20th, 2025 at 5:58 pm
Derrick Brooks vs. Lavonte David: Legendary Comparisons
Derrick Brooks:
College: 4 yrs at Florida State, 274 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 5 INTs.
NFL Combine: 6’0.3″ (72.3″), 229 lbs, 40-yd dash: 4.71 sec.
NFL Draft: 1st round (28th overall), 1995.
NFL Stats (14 seasons): 1,300 solo tackles, 413 assists, 13.5 sacks.
Accolades: 11 Pro Bowls, 2002 DPOTY, Super Bowl XXXVII champ.
Lavonte David:
College: 2 seasons at Nebraska, 285 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 5 INTs.
NFL Combine: 6’0.6″ (72.63″), 233 lbs, 40-yd dash: 4.65 sec.
NFL Draft: 2nd round, 58th overall, 2012.
NFL Stats (13 seasons): 1,111 solo tackles, 491 assists, 39 sacks.
Accolades: 1 Pro Bowl, 3 All-Pro selections, Super Bowl LV champ.
March 20th, 2025 at 6:03 pm
Lavonte David:
College: 2 years at Nebraska, 285 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 2 INTs.
March 20th, 2025 at 6:09 pm
If Lavonte David had Derrick Brooks’ hand size (10.75 inches vs. David’s 8.75 inches), he’d probably have a few more picks.
March 20th, 2025 at 6:15 pm
Here’s the comparison of their career interceptions:
Derrick Brooks: 25 career interceptions
Lavonte David: 13 career interceptions
March 20th, 2025 at 6:31 pm
Slow news day huh
March 20th, 2025 at 6:40 pm
I’ll bet LVD had the longest interview he has had for years on the Bucs. It seems he has never enjoyed talking about himself. I will also bet the media are taking a bunch of days off before the draft.
March 20th, 2025 at 6:49 pm
Well, I was going to ask why it matters, but then Joe said he finds it interesting. That’s enough for me. It’s his website.
March 20th, 2025 at 6:50 pm
I enjoyed reading the article. LVD has never gotten the respect that he has earned and so richly deserves. Slow news day? Yeah maybe. But still a relevant story. As far as the videos go: I never watch any of them. I prefer to read. Much faster and quieter. Most of us can read at least twice as fast as someone can talk…unless the talker is a New Yorker.
March 20th, 2025 at 6:53 pm
Well well said Joebucsfan
March 20th, 2025 at 7:02 pm
Let’s don’t make something out of nothing.
March 20th, 2025 at 7:10 pm
LUV
You left out the fact that Brooks played most of his career under Monte Kiffen while David has had a carousel of Def coordinators, some of whom could be considered the worst the league has seen.
I won’t go as far as to say he may be better than Brooks, but when you compare their careers, and take into account the ‘support’ (teammates/coaching) each played with, they’re darn close.
As for the lack of views…
We all know what we’re getting with David.
No other player on the team has “brought it” year in and year out for as long as he has. Evans is a close second, nobody else is even close (yet).
March 20th, 2025 at 7:17 pm
Reaching for a story where there is none.
March 20th, 2025 at 8:08 pm
“Insult” is a better word than “disrespect,” guys. Joes are looking for $$clicks$$. It’s life in the 21st stupid century.
Ironic. If Joe were hungry for clicks, Joe wouldn’t write about Lavonte David, sad as that is to type, which kind of was the point of this post. Joe writes what Joe finds interesting. Simple as that. …You get what you pay for. –Joe
March 20th, 2025 at 9:05 pm
Respect does not equal entertaining speaker joe. I do not enjoy watching David interviews personally. I don’t judge him for it, I just don’t find him an engaging or entertaining speaker.
March 20th, 2025 at 9:07 pm
What? LD54 getting dissed? say it isnt so….f them as usual
March 20th, 2025 at 9:10 pm
Every Buc fan loves Lavonte and he knows that. LD has earned what $50-100million here. He’s fine, he knows he’s one of the best. He can go anywhere and hold his head high. The only glory that truly matters is God’s Glory. I hope when he retires that he sticks around to be a local sports personality/expert. He’s a really good man with a big heart. Have you ever heard anyone say a bad thing about Lavonte David??? Nope. Players from teams all over love the guy. That’s what’s important in my mind. And and and he has a Championship Ring.
March 20th, 2025 at 10:14 pm
One of those articles that should be left in the drafts folder…
March 20th, 2025 at 11:20 pm
All over the podcast was about you guys could barely hear him. No, actually it was mentioned once that, in person, he was speaking quietly at times.–Joe Don’t get me wrong I watched it and I understand why some don’t watch it . I like seeing him not hearing him. He an awesome silent man that speaks through actions. All that’s needed by LVD
March 21st, 2025 at 6:49 am
Hmmm, Not posting on social media does not mean lack of respect. When he is introduced at Ray Jay, the crowd goes nuts…that is a better measure of respect.
March 21st, 2025 at 9:11 am
Nothing to see here. Manufactured drama. 🙂
March 21st, 2025 at 9:21 am
He’s always just gone quietly about his business. No different here. The man’s a stud! Tampa has been so fortunate to have him, and for so long!
March 21st, 2025 at 10:38 am
Looks like a click bait article. No real news here!
March 21st, 2025 at 10:43 am
As a fan, if there were 2 YT vids to watch, one about LVD resigning and one about a new addition to the team, Heck.
For a brief moment, I’d be like, “My time is limited, and I know all about LVD and am stoked he got resigned. Now who is this Heck guy?” And I’d prolly skim the Heck vid first, then get around to the LVD vid.
It’s because LVD is a constant in this organization, he’s not flashy nor talkative, so he’s not the type who garners a lot of media attention. But boy when he plays, I watch him often. Hopefully a future HOF’er and definitely a Bucs ROH. Such a good, steady player we can always count on, and he always plays with fire.
GO BUCS ! ! !
March 21st, 2025 at 1:20 pm
LVD IS THE ROCK OF OUR DEFENSE
March 21st, 2025 at 8:08 pm
Taken for granted. His quiet nature is I think part of the “problem” he’s a legend. Should be appreciated and celebrated
March 21st, 2025 at 11:52 pm
Press conference video views? New guy vs resigning. This is a non story.
March 22nd, 2025 at 1:05 pm
This guy’s is important to this team. Class player, not a trouble maker and professional on / off field.
March 22nd, 2025 at 8:33 pm
What’s wrong with those people?!? LVD has been a staple of the Tampa D since he’s been drafted. They need to get a checkup from the neck up.
March 23rd, 2025 at 10:32 pm
Watching it now. It’s up to
5.8 K views.
I know his on the field play speaks
louder than any presser.