Buccaneers' linebacker Lavonte David had a record-setting day inside Raymond James Stadium on Sunday in Week Four. His first tackle of the day, marked the 1,500th of his stellar career, joining Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks as the only two players in Bucs' history to reach that milestone. David recorded a strip sack of Jalen Hurts, marking his 30th career forced fumble – tied for most among active players with Khalil Mack. To put the exclamation mark on his resumé, David took down Hurts a second time, signifying his fourth career game with two-plus sacks (first since 2018). Now with 35.5 sacks, David has sole possession of seventh place in franchise history.
In the third quarter from first-and-10, David halted the Eagles' momentum. Todd Bowles sent six on the blitz, with David firing through the A-gap following the snap. David quickly drove Saquon Barkley back and bypassed the chip, getting to Hurts. The Eagles' signal-caller initially evaded the pressure, but David continued the hunt and came from behind, knocking the ball free. Ben Stille recovered the football at the Tampa Bay 24-yard line, putting the Bucs' offense back on the field.
"My number was called on that certain play and I was able to blitz and to get an opportunity to get a one-on-one with a running back, which is a linebacker's dream," said David. "I was able to win and make a play on the football. If I would not have made that play, I would not have heard the end of it from Coach [Larry] Foote so the whole time in my mind, I thought, 'I got to win. I got to win.' And I was able to do it."
David finished the matchup as the team's leading tackler with eight, along with a pass defensed, a quarterback hit, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and two sacks for a loss of 13 yards. His second sack came in the fourth quarter on second-and-10, once again shifting the tide to Tampa Bay. The ageless wonder continues to defy the norm, playing at peak form at 34 years old. David, the linchpin of Bowles' defense, can do it all. With rare instincts, read-and-react ability, wrap-up tackling skills and fluid flips in man coverage on running backs/tight ends, David sets the tone. He was a force on Sunday, making plays from sideline to sideline. When asked about the Hall of Fame and achievements eclipsed, David steered the spotlight to his family and thanked God.
"I am a kid from Miami that just wanted to play football because I love the game but ended up doing those type of things at a very high level is definitely a blessing. I give the glory to God, and I thank my family for keeping me disciplined and on the right track and to be able to support me playing the game that I love."
