FORMER NFL cornerback, Vontae Davis, shared a heartfelt post about his life and new projects days before his untimely death.
On Monday morning, Davis, 35, was found unresponsive at a home owned by his grandmother in Southwest Ranches, Florida, about 30 minutes southwest of Fort Lauderdale.
Davis was a football cornerback and two-time Pro Bowler who played for the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, and Buffalo Bills.
On March 21, he posted a photo in a teal suit and patterned shirt as he leaned up against a blue Mercedes.
“Born from adversity, fueled by resilience, my journey from poverty to prosperity is a testament to the power of determination and the love of family,” he wrote in his Instagram caption.
Being adopted by my grandparents has motivated me to turn life’s hardships into opportunities. Now on the brink of launching @davishospitalitygroup_ stay tuned as we embark on this blessed journey!”
Former teammate from the Indianapolis Colts, Pat McAfee shared his thoughts about the news on his show, The Pat McAfee Show.
“We will remember him for being an incredibly cool teammate in that locker room and being a guy that all of us enjoyed being around on a daily basis,” McAfee said.
Darius Butler, another former teammate from the Indianapolis Colts also responded to the upsetting news.
“It’s tough, and you know, obviously, we’ve dealt with a lot of teammates, but you just never know what people are going through or what they’re dealing with.
“Obviously, sending my heart and condolences to his family, his loved ones, his friends, all his former teammates that have been reaching out on the show.
“It’s a tough time right now,” he concluded.
Davis is survived by his wife Megan Harpe, who he married in 2015 in St. Regis Bahia Beach in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, per IndyStar.
Tributes continued to role in as people learned of his death.
Chester Frazier, an assistant coach for the University of Illinois Men’s Basketball, paid tribute to Davis on X, formerly Twitter.
“#illinination we lost a great today!!! RIP TO @vontaedavis man nothing but good memories of that dude in school!!! Praying for the Davis family!!” he wrote.
Davis’ childhood friend, Bobby Maze, mourned the former NFL player in a social media post.
It’s a tough time right now
Darius Butler
“To my child hood friend & to my brother @vontaedavis Rest In Peace,” Maze wrote.
“No words can explain how I feel right now. You was one of a kind & so full of life we would talk about you making it from good hope rode to the NFL & me being from suitland all day every day.
“Life will never be the same without my brother them FaceTime calls etc damn I wish we could have one more convo.
“You beat the odds you made it you did your way it just wasn’t supposed to end like this.”
His previous teams, the Buffalo Bills and the Miami dolphins also mourned his death.
Davie Police said preliminary information suggested that foul play was not involved in his death.
The former NFL star also posted on March 25 about a book he had written titled Middle School Rules.
“Excited to share my journey from DC to where I am today through my signed children’s book! Packed with invaluable lessons and gratitude for my support system,” he wrote in the post caption.
He shared three hashtags; stay tuned, life lessons, and DC pride.