A former Nebraska linebacker is walking away after 14 seasons in the NFL. Lavonte David is retiring after spending his entire career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In 14 seasons, the linebacker recorded 1,714 combined tackles, 33 forced fumbles, 42.5 sacks, and 14 interceptions. He spent all 14 seasons with the Bucs after being drafted in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft.
In 27 games as a Husker, David recorded 285 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, two interceptions, 12 passes defended, three forced fumbles, and two fumbles recovered. His 285 career tackles currently rank him fifth in program history.
During his two seasons with the Huskers, David was a two-time First-Team All-American (2010, 2011) and was named the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year (2011).
Social media was flooded with reactions to David’s retirement. We posted some of the best posts below.
True
One of the best to ever do it 🫡 pic.twitter.com/d7jOW69rAT
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) March 24, 2026
Mel was right
Here’s Mel Kiper Jr. back in 2012 praising the Buccaneers drafting Lavonte David and saying he was one of his Top 25 players in the draft.
That take aged tremendously. pic.twitter.com/u1dnmu76n8
— Josh Hill (@jdavhill) March 24, 2026
Greatness
Lavonte David is officially retiring. Two stats on his greatness.
His 415 Defeats rank third all-time since 1991 behind Ray Lewis and Junior Seau. (Defeats: TO, TFL, and plays to prevent 3rd down conversion)
His 330 pass tackle stops (preventing success after reception) rank…
— Aaron Schatz 🏈 (@ASchatzNFL) March 24, 2026
That. Man.
On what Lavonte David means to the @Buccaneers—in the draft room, there’s this mural. It’s a reminder of what the scouts are looking for. For years, few knew who the silhouette was of. A few years ago, David got emotional when he was told he is “that man”.
True franchise icon. pic.twitter.com/m72OhjPQta
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 24, 2026
Stats don’t lie
Throughout his career, Lavonte David performed on par with Bobby Wagner and Luke Kuechly, but earned FAR less national recognition.
One of the most criminally underrated players ever, but he was consistently a steady, elite presence for the Bucs and he deserves his flowers. pic.twitter.com/sk54mLWDVp
— Josh Crysler (@josh_crysler) March 24, 2026
A great man… on and off the field
Hall of Fame player, Hall of Fame human.
Congrats @LavonteDavid54 ! A legend. https://t.co/D1WzQGip38pic.twitter.com/ZLhyP854Qm
— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) March 24, 2026
Ring of Honor
Next stop: the Ring of Honor right next to 55 where 54 belongs https://t.co/IjBF3iYwS9pic.twitter.com/VnnhZSAnpA
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) March 24, 2026
Retired
Lavonte David has retired after 14 seasons in the NFL with the Buccaneers 👏
💥 90.1 career PFF grade (4th among LBs during span)
💥 801 career defensive stops (1st)
💥 238 career TFLs (1st) pic.twitter.com/v4az8JqlQJ— PFF (@PFF) March 24, 2026
Buc for life
BUC FOR LIFE.
Tampa Bay is forever changed because of you 🙏 pic.twitter.com/09AvsOKqJM
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) March 24, 2026
Gruden on David
Congratulations Lavonte David on an incredible career!
On behalf of the entire Tampa Bay area, thank you for being a Buccaneer!! pic.twitter.com/FWQirZ5HLg
— Jon Gruden (@BarstoolGruden) March 24, 2026
Recognition
Glad he finally got the recognition he deserved during the “backstretch” of his career. Nebraska and Tampa Bay legend who deserves to be in the Hall of Fame https://t.co/qu6ueQyv56
— Tim Verghese (@TimVerghese) March 24, 2026
The uniforms
Legend through the years 💪 pic.twitter.com/0EwgCTUsPW
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) March 24, 2026
Forever a legend
Mr. Buccaneer@LavonteDavid54 will forever be a Tampa Bay legend 👏 pic.twitter.com/6Z3iHRcvuP
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) March 24, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Social media reacts to former Nebraska LB Lavonte David’s retirement
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