Former NFL star Vontae Davis was reportedly found dead in the gym area of his Florida mansion on Monday.
Davis, who played for the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills, died suddenly at the age of 35 after his body was discovered in his Southwest Ranches home.
7News Miami says the property is registered to his grandmother, but police referred to him as the owner. The former cornerback’s death comes a year after he was found curled up asleep on the side of a road after crashing his Tesla in South Florida.
According to a police audio obtained by sportsAn unidentified woman called 911 and told dispatchers she discovered Davis’ body in the gym area of the home.
He is said to have initially been unable to find him, before dispatchers attempted to get him a defibrillator after locating his body. It’s unclear if the woman or anyone else in the house recovered it or attempted to use it on Davis.
Former NFL star Vontae Davis found dead in the gym area of his Florida mansion
Reports say the property is registered to Davis’ grandmother, but police referred to him as the owner.
Cars were seen arriving at the property on Monday following his tragic death.
Davis played for the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills in his NFL career.
In additional audio that was released, another person who identified himself as Davis’s personal assistant claimed to have last seen him alive on Friday.
They added: “So I know someone saw it on Saturday.”
Davis was pronounced dead at the scene after police responded to calls from his property. Preliminary information is said to indicate that there were no signs of foul play.
Tributes poured in for the two-time Pro Bowler on Monday, with the former Miami Dolphins team writing on social media: “We are heartbroken by the sudden passing of former Dolphins CB Vontae Davis and extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
The NFL also said: ‘The NFL is heartbroken to learn of the passing of Vontae Davis. Our thoughts are with her family and her loved ones.”
His childhood friend, Bobby Maze, confirmed the death in an emotional Facebook statement.
“To my childhood friend and my brother Vontae Davis, rest in peace,” Maze wrote. ‘There are no words that can explain how I feel right now.
‘You were one of a kind and very full of life. Life will never be the same without my brother. Those FaceTime calls, etc. Damn, I wish we could have one more conversation. You beat the odds, you did it, you did it your way, it just wasn’t supposed to end like this.’
In February 2023, he was found asleep on the side of the road after crashing his Tesla.
Davis (No. 21) photographed during his playing days with the Indianapolis Colts in 2015.
In 2017, Davis married his long-time girlfriend, Megan Harpe (right) in Puerto Rico.
Pat McAfee, meanwhile, fought back tears as he spoke about the death of his former Colts teammate and friend Davis live on his ESPN show Monday.
His voice breaking, McAfee said, “It’s been an interesting vibe throughout the show because this morning we learned that a former partner of ours, Vontae Davis, was found unconscious in his home.”
“Vontae was an incredibly cool guy, a good guy, a nice guy, an optimistic, energetic guy.”
After talking for a few minutes about Davis’ character, McAfee urged his television audience to “reach out to your people and tell them they are not alone.”
Davis was the 25th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft and played until 2018, when he abruptly retired in the middle of a Bills game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
In November of last year, he reached a plea deal with prosecutors in Broward County, Florida, after driving his vehicle under the influence of alcohol. In February, Davis crashed his black Tesla into the back of a Toyota pickup truck on a county road in South Florida.
Photos obtained by TMZ It shows Davis asleep with his arms under his head, dressed in a mint green outfit as the remains of both cars lie nearby.
He was also ordered to complete 50 hours of community service and pay fines and fees to cover medical bills for those injured in the crash.
Tributes have poured in for Davis from the NFL, his former teams and former teammates.
Pat McAfee spoke to his ESPN audience just minutes after Vontae Davis’ death was announced.
Witnesses also told TMZ that Davis remained asleep, even as first responders surrounded him, until officers put him in the back of a police car.
Even then, Davis appeared to have difficulty staying awake, and footage showed him asleep in his seat.
A Florida Highway Patrol spokesperson said TMZ that first responders arrived at the scene of a motor vehicle accident involving two vehicles on State Road 821 on Saturday, February 4, around 7:51 am.
When police interacted with Davis, they told him, as revealed by TMZ: ‘Your eyes are bloodshot. Your speech is confusing. You can barely stay awake. Alright? You almost killed someone.
Officers asked Davis if he had consumed any alcohol, to which he responded, “Yes, I had two drinks.” Two mixed drinks.
His brother Vernon told TMZ in February 2023 that the arrest was “a very difficult situation” but that his younger brother was “doing fine.”