GENERAL MANAGER JASON LICHT & LINEBACKER LAVONTE DAVID

(Opening Statement)

Jason Licht: "I've given this some thought. It's really an honor and a privilege for all of us that in work in this business, that aren't players, to be in the NFL because of the fact that most of us have a lot of passion and love [for] this game. The reason we love it is because we get to be around great players, but what makes this even more special is we're with elite players like Lavonte [David]. He's elite in every way – as a person, as a player, his stats. It's not really his stats – he's not really a tackle collector – he makes these plays when they count and very consistently, too. He's playing at the best level that he's ever played, right now, and he'll continue to do that. He's on a Hall of Fame track, for sure. Where's [Pro Football Hall of Fame voter] Ira [Kaufman]? No pressure, Ira [laughs]. This day makes it extra special to be here with Lavonte, just because of who he is and the player that he is and will be and [the player that] is going to help us get another championship."

(Opening Statement)

Lavonte David: "Best words I've ever heard spoken. I appreciate that. Like I said before, I thank you for the constant communication and the will to be able to get this thing done – for me to be able to come back for another year. Obviously, it's a dream of mine and a dream of anybody's to play all of your tenure for one organization. I want to say thank you to the Glazer family, to everybody, for making this happen for me and my family. I'm definitely grateful and thankful. Like I said, I appreciate those kind words, but I'm definitely going to prove you right by getting this opportunity again."

(On why he keeps choosing to re-sign with the Buccaneers)

LD: "I think it's just my personal drive and my personal competitiveness – knowing that one day, everything would be how it is right now – being able to win three division championships and a Super Bowl. I just knew that one day, that would happen. We [were] able to get the right people in the building and we [were] able to do that. For me, personally, I felt like I was giving up if I'd do something like [go somewhere else]. For an organization to draft me and be able to have that faith in me, give me a contract after three years, it just goes to show how they feel about me. It was only right that I ride it out to see how far this thing is going to go. It's been a blessing and I'm thankful. We got a Super Bowl and I love it, so I'm definitely grateful for that."

(On what gave him the faith that things would turn around for the Buccaneers earlier in his career)

LD: "Honestly, talking to Jason [Licht], when we hired 'B.A.' (Bruce Arians) and then having to work with 'B.A.' and then having to work with Coach [Todd] Bowles and just talking to those guys and hearing the confidence in their voice. Understanding that this is a process and it's going to take time. Those guys came in and made those things work right away. I just remember my first day in the O/D (offense/defense) meetings with Coach [Todd] Bowles, I had never played in a 3-4 and I was always in a 4-3. I didn't know how it would work. I was a little bit uncomfortable because I thought I was undersized – I thought you had to be really big to play in a 3-4. But, just looking at it, I'm like, 'Oh, I'll be fine. I'll be fine.' Going through everything and seeing how everything worked for my benefit, it all worked out. I enjoy playing in this defense and it shows."

(On what's been the key to his longevity)

LD: "First and foremost, God's grace. I've been blessed to be in this position and be able to play at a high level like this when a lot of bad things happen – injuries and stuff. To be able to play full seasons without having [any] crazy things happen – no real surgeries and stuff like that – it's definitely glory to God for that. Adding to it, I'm just trying to take care of myself [by] being on top of things year-round and not letting small things turn into big things and just doing what I'm supposed to do and being where I'm supposed to be and being disciplined throughout the process."

(On the success the team has had over the last four seasons compared to his first few seasons)

LD: "Those first whatever years [were] obviously difficult. I remember I was having a conversation a couple of weeks ago…I used to take a lot of stuff out on my family when they used to come up when we [weren't] winning and things like that because I take it so hard. Nobody likes to lose. Dealing with that, and then maturing, and obviously having 'B.A.' (Bruce Arians) and them come in, that kind of changed my perspective on a lot of things. Understanding his history and his background and the guys he was bringing in with him [were] people I could relate to and stuff like that. It gave me a new sense of hope. It changed around right away. I know the first year didn't go how we wanted it to go when they were here, but looking back on it – I'm a defensive guy, so I'm going to talk about defense – we had a great year, defensively. It was fun. I was having fun, a lot of guys were having fun. We had a lot of guys who made plays for us. Knowing that those guys were able to come back, and obviously adding Tom [Brady] to the mix kind of changed everything. It was a culture change and there was a standard that was set when those guys came in. That's something that I feel like I needed to be a part of. Things didn't work out those previous years. You build relationships with people and stuff like that and things don't work out, no matter how they don't work out. Now, you just get a sense of having fun and loving the game more."

(On if he's been able to reflect on what he means to the Buccaneers organization)

LD: "I want to say after the Super Bowl year, you kind of just think back and you get a lot of messages from people just telling me how proud of me they are just because of me sticking around through those tough years and stuff like that. Now, going into my 13^th season, you just reflect. It was kind of like a blur, for real. Things have been pretty smooth since then. It's definitely a testament to what this organization is – sticking with people who have they have faith in and who they trust. To be able to have me here, to be around for the turnaround that we did have was a blessing. It was a true testament to how I am and how I put my hardhat on and go to work. Just like the people around here – all of you guys, too, have been here through those hard times – I'm sure you guys have faith in us, as well. I'm definitely blessed for that."

(On how he decides to keep playing football)

LD: "It's always an ongoing discussion, especially after year 10. Everybody's dream is to get to 10 years and then just see how it goes from there. Ever since then, that's how it's been for me, just depending on how I feel, how I am mentally, how I am physically, do I still have love for the game? Do I still enjoy being around the guys in the locker room? A whole bunch of stuff. Do I like working out with 'A.P.' (Head Strength & Conditioning Coach Anthony Piroli)? Which, I probably don't, but I'm not going to worry about that [laughs]. All of that stuff, collectively. I'm having fun, I'm loving the game, I'm healthy. You're going to see how it goes from here on out."

(On how much mentoring younger players means to him)

LD: "It's very important. A lot of our young players, we count on [them] when they come in. We had a couple young guys come in and start right away. That can be difficult for young guys, handling the pressure of playing in the NFL and being around veteran guys and trying to prove guys like myself right. All I try to do is just keep them calm, be as real as possible, and just be authentic – not be too high or not be too low. I just try to put things in a way where they can understand where I'm coming from – not just about football, but about life and playing in the NFL, too. It was something like that with Calijah [Kancey] – me and Calijah kind of grew up in the same neighborhood, went to the same high school and stuff like that. He was one of those guys that was comfortable with me right away and I was able to give him a little game [advice] on certain things. Everything is working out well with him, but a lot of the other guys, too – the incoming guys, too. I don't mind being that guy to count on to give those guys advice and stuff. I feel like it's my due diligence to do stuff like that."

(On if he's talked to former Buccaneers LB Devin White)

LD: "Just dealing with everything all year, I speak to him day-to-day. I spoke to him through the whole process and was trying to give him encouragement and keep his head up high. When you get another opportunity, take advantage of it. I told him our relationship would never end. The bond we built when we were here together – playing with a guy like that kind of made my job easier, as well. He's definitely going to be missed, but Devin, beyond football, he's like my little brother. I tell you this all the time. He's aggravating me, still sending me videos of horses, I don't know why. I'm wishing him the best and I hope he gets what he's due."

(On what he thinks this team is capable of in 2024)

LD: "We were very close. We were very close. I said in the locker room after the end of the [Detroit Lions playoff] game, I told them, 'Keep your head high. You have nothing to be down about. We had a great season." A lot of people counted us out, a lot of people doubted us – especially when we were 4-7. We climbed up out of that and that goes to show what type of team we have. To get those key pieces back, we can build off that. Obviously, having Mike [Evans] and 'Bake' (Baker Mayfield) back, bringing back [Antoine] Winfield Jr. and myself, it just shows that we can do great things – offensively and defensively. I'm definitely looking forward to it. Winning the division – that was pretty cool and all – but we're definitely trying to get to the big thing."

(On people mentioning David in conversations about being a Hall of Fame player and if he allows himself to think about that)

LD: "Not really, I only talk about it when it's brought up. It just goes to show that I am doing something right. If people are talking about you, you're doing something right. All I can do is control what I can control and that's just going out there and putting my best foot forward, playing however many snaps [I get] the hardest way I can. Whatever happens after that, just happens. There was a point where, you know, you hear a lot of stuff from people – teammates and guys across the league – like, 'Man, you're supposed to be in the Pro Bowl, you're supposed to be in the Pro Bowl.' But I can't control that. It is what it is, but at the end of the day, I know what my film looks like when I play and after I play. I am definitely confident in my ability. I feel like I'm a Pro Bowl and All-Pro player every year. That's all that matters to me."

(On if Licht was the General Manager in 2012 if he would've selected David)

JL: "Oh, no doubt – first player on the board [laughs]."

(On how David personifies what Licht looks for in future draft picks in terms of David's love for the game, his preparation and his mental approach to the game)

JL: "He is the epitome of it. He is the poster child, literally, for us. We have a silhouette of a Bucs player in our draft room that says, 'I am that man,' and this is the person that we want in a player – the traits that we just said – and it doesn't show his face, but it is Lavonte. He is the one that we look for every year. He is the standard."

(On what Licht notices about David's preparation)

JL: "Everything about Lavonte, and what makes him the player that he is, is elite – his preparation, his competitiveness. His desire and his passion are a 10 [on a] 1-10 scale. We won't put him on the other scale we talked about, but as a player, he's a 10 on that, too. Everything about him is elite. That's what makes him who he is. That's what makes it special to be around him every day. You want to be around people that are the best. It's just fun to watch."

(On if David thinks his role could change next year following the departure of Devin White and if he has talked to Head Coach Todd Bowles about that)

LD: "I haven't. We haven't gotten into any X's and O's or whatever, but knowing Coach Bowles, nothing is going to change – you plug and play, man, you plug and play [laughs]. It's the next guy up, the next-guy-up mentality. You do the job right and you're going to be in there."

(On if David wants to blitz a little more moving forward)

LD: "I would love that but it's [not] up to me. Whatever we do right, we stick with it. That's one thing I do respect about Coach Bowles and that I really like – he finds what is working for guys to make things comfortable for guys, and whatever is working and makes you comfortable, he's going to do it. Since the first day, he has said he has an open-door policy and if you have a problem with it or whatever it may be, you come and talk to him. It's been like that ever since. That's why he's a respected guy across the locker room – a lot of guys love to play for him."

(On what David saw from K.J. Britt when he stepped in last season)

LD: "I think K.J.'s passion for the game and his will to be great. I've seen it since day one. With rookies coming in, some rookies will see guys like me and Devin [White] as the ones, so they're like, 'OK, I'm just going to go ahead and focus on special teams.' K.J. was put in the room as a rookie and like I always [said], 'You've got to prepare like you're a starter.' He took that to heart. He's a guy that every time he gets his opportunity, he's running everything like he's a starter. When that opportunity came this past season, he took it by the horns. K.J. is a really respected guy across the locker room. He is really passionate about football. His will to be great and to be the best player out there is what I really like about him."

(On what it will be like for David to play with S Jordan Whitehead again)

LD: "Man, that might be the biggest one back. Whitehead was a guy who, obviously, I built a personal relationship with. Just having him behind me on the field gave me a whole bunch of confidence, knowing that I could count on Whitehead to do his job. For whatever happened, he didn't have a chance to come back, but still he was communicating with us about how much he missed us and stuff like that … He wanted to come back here – that was his first priority, so I'm glad [they] were able to get that done. Whitehead, he is a special guy, not only on the football field, but as a person. For me, I'm all about energy and seeing the good in people and stuff like that. I've kind of got a sixth sense for that and Whitehead is one of those guys that is a joy to be around as a man and as a teammate. He just brings that type of passion to the game that you love. When you are playing with a guy like Whitehead, you can just look him in the eyes and know that he is ready to play, so you don't even need to worry about him. Off the field, the way he carries himself and goes about things – he's a pro's pro and [those are] the [type] of guys we've got to have in this locker room."

(On how long David thinks he can keep playing)

LD: "How long? We're going to worry about [year] 13 right now and then we're going to go from there. Honestly, I always say, the good Lord has blessed me tremendously to be here and I love it and I enjoy it. We're just going to keep on taking it one day at a time and one year at a time and see how it goes. We're just going to try to get to the Super Bowl this year and then I'll let you know after that."

(On Pro Football Hall of Famer Rondé Barber playing 16 seasons and if that's something he ever thinks about)

LD: "No, Rondé was a different type of cat [laughs]. Rondé played 16 years with all types of stuff going on and I commend him for that. Rondé was kind of like a mentor for me for that short year that we had together. Still, I have a relationship with Rondé to this day. He's definitely a guy who I respect tremendously."

-BUCCANEERS-