Update: Former NFL Star Vontae Davis May Have Collapsed After A Sauna Session, Doesn’t Have A History Of Drug Use, His Brother Vernon Davis Says

Vontae Davis, Vernon Davis

Update: Former NFL Star Vontae Davis May Have Collapsed After A Sauna Session, Doesn’t Have A History Of Drug Use, His Brother Vernon Davis Says

Update (April 4, 2024): Vontae Davis’ brother is shedding light on the final moments before his death. The former NFL cornerback died at 35 on Monday, April 1.

Now, his brother and fellow former NFL star Vernon Davis is breaking his silence. He said, per Daily Mail, 

“This thing definitely caught me by surprise. I just don’t know what to make of it. I’m leaning on the detectives to figure it out but right now we have no answers. They are going to run tests and they said they’ll get back to us.”

Vontae Davis, Vernon Davis

He added that weeks could go by before they get any answers about what caused Vontae Davis’ death, however, he believes his younger brother died after he collapsed or slipped while coming out of a sauna as there were no signs of a break-in or foul play.

Vontae Davis was also reportedly worried that he had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE ) when he abruptly retired in 2018. Indiana University School of Medicine defines the condition as

“a progressive degenerative disease affecting people who have suffered repeated concussions and traumatic brain injuries, that may occur in some athletes and others who have been exposed to concussions and repetitive head impacts.”

After his death, his ex-wife Michelle told Daily Mail of the suspicion,

“Yes he had CTE … there is definitely a story here.”

Still, Vernon Davis isn’t fully convinced that’s what led to his brother’s demise.

Vontae Davis, Vernon Davis

“Maybe that’s the case, maybe it’s not. We don’t really have an answer to that because there is no way to see into our brain while we live.”

He added,

“Vontae never really showed a history of using drugs or anything like that. I was at his house two weeks ago and he had the massage therapist there. He had a stretch therapist, a chiropractor, you name it.”

Sharing a few thoughtful words about his late brother, Vernon Davis said,

“He was like my son. We were four years apart but I remember waking him up to do workouts when he was young and I was in high school. I made him do it because I wanted him to succeed even more than I wanted myself to succeed. I’m proud of him for his great work ethic, for his ability, his discipline. For understanding the difference between being good and great at something and for putting in the work.”

Vernon Davis, Vontae Davis

He continued,

We were the difference makers in our family. We came from a tough background but we had goals and aspirations to be better than the space we came out of. I could not have picked a better little brother.”

Original Story (April 1, 2024): Vontae Davis, a former NFL cornerback, has died at the age of 35.

According to police, Vontae Davis was found dead at a home registered to his grandmother in Southwest Ranches, Florida, on Monday (April 1). Davie Police are investigating the two-time Pro Bowler’s death but said no foul play is suspected.

Before his death, Vontae Davis didn’t appear to show any signs of distress on social media. His latest Instagram post (uploaded on March 25) promoted his new children’s book, “The Middle School Rules of Vontae Davis.” He captioned the post, 

“Excited to share my journey from DC to where I am today through my signed children’s book! ? Packed with invaluable life lessons and gratitude for my support system.”

The D.C. native played in 10 seasons in the NFL before retiring in the middle of a game while on the Buffalo Bills football team. 

Explaining his decision to call it quits mid-game in 2017, Davis said in a statement, 

“This isn’t how I pictured retiring from the NFL. But today, on the field, reality hit me hard and fast. I shouldn’t be out there anymore… I meant no disrespect to my teammates or coaches.”

In addition, Davis, the younger brother of former NFL tight end Vernon Davis, played for the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts. He was a college football standout at Illinois before being drafted into the NFL in 2009.

In more than 100 games, Davis had 22 interceptions and 395 tackles. He was named to the Pro Bowl while with the Colts in 2014 and 2015.

We offer our condolences to Vontae Davis’ friends and family.

[VIA, 1, 2]