VONTAE Davis infamously quit the NFL in the middle of a game – and he has no regrets. The former first-round pick, 25, walked out on the Buffalo Bills as they trailed the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2 of the 2018 season. A talented cornerback, Davis was at the start of his tenth NFL season when he decided he’d had enough. The two-time Pro Bowler announced that he was “done” to his teammates before changing out of his pads and walking from the stadium. Reflecting on the incident five years ago, Davis told ESPN in 2019: “Looking back, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life, honestly. “Because
I did something that I knew was the best thing for me.”
Davis revealed that he had mentally checked out from the game before his move to Buffalo. He spent the first three years of his career in Miami after the Dolphins took him as the 25th overall pick in the 2009 draft. The Washington, DC, native quickly established himself as a starter, before moving to the Indianapolis Colts in 2012. But after being snubbed for a rookie during the 2017 campaign, Davis’ career never recovered. And he cited his mental well-being behind his decision to walk away from the NFL. He continued:
“Most people, when I did what I did, they thought I was literally going insane or something. “But I was actually fine. I was totally fine. And I’m totally fine today.” Per Spotrac, Davis brought in $51,370,330 over his ten seasons in the NFL. After leaving the game, he reportedly opened a wellness spa. Earlier this year, Vontae was arrested after allegedly driving under the influencer, per Fox News. The report alleges Davis claimed he had “two mixed drinks and was returning home from a club.”
Davis’ brother Vernan – an NFL tight end for the San Francisco 49ers and the Washington Redskins – confirmed his brother was “doing well. He told TMZ: “He’s just taking care of everything behind the scenes.” “I told him I’m just gonna keep him in my prayers and continue to wish him the best and hope he can continue to do the right thing.”
