Lavonte David Feels Bad When Linebackers Go Down
October 15th, 2025
Respect.
NFL players may want to bash each other’s heads in between the white lines. But there is also a really cool bond between the best of the best, no matter the uniform.
That was demonstrated Sunday when the Bucs hosted the 49ers.
Early in the game, 49ers’ star linebacker Fred Warner went down with the same ankle/foot injury Chris Godwin suffered last year.
Warner, 28, is a four-time All-Pro and perhaps the best linebacker in the game. It must have been a gruesome injury. Watch the replay if you can. Bucs left tackle Tristan Wirfs immediately was hollering and waving for San Francisco trainers to get on the field.
And when Warner was being treated and laying on a cart at midfield, even though his teammate and the Bucs offense were on the field, Lavonte David and Vita Vea walked on the field to check Warner.
David stood right by the cart as Warner was being treated.
That shows you what NFL players think of Warner. Three of the classiest Bucs players were hit by the sight.
Joe asked David after the game about standing right next to the cart. He said waiting for Warner to be loaded onto the cart was sort of a demonstration of respect among warriors.
“Definitely respect,” David said. “At the end of the day, Fred is my guy. Fred is pretty cool. I have been watching him his whole career. We have a lot of great respect for one another.”
Interestingly enough, Warner also wears No. 54, just like David.
“When I see one of my fellow linebackers go down, it’s tough,” David said. “I am a fan of the position. He plays the position in an elite way. I love watching him play.
“For him to go down like that, it hurt for me. I felt real bad. I know he will rally. I know he will come back from that.”
Any wonder why the Bucs’ personnel department uses David as its standard in their “I Am That Man” philosophy?
Joe obviously thought David showed great respect. And it doesn’t surprise Joe that two Bucs defensive veterans were so concerned they walked to check on Warner and try to boost his spirits.
October 15th, 2025 at 7:14 am
I can’t even imagine what our LB room looks like when David finally does retire.
October 15th, 2025 at 7:55 am
Thanks Joe, for this article. Nice to read sportsmanship and respect for an opponent still exists.
October 15th, 2025 at 8:06 am
weird freak injury his own guys rolled up on him in a routine play, did not look as bad as chris godwins ankle last season, he’ll be back
October 15th, 2025 at 8:18 am
Class act from David. Wouldn’t expect anything less from a class person.
October 15th, 2025 at 9:10 am
When Jim Nantz said, “there’s a player injured” I immediately thought to myself, “Please, no more Bucs. Make it a Niner.”
Then I saw what happened, and weirdly felt horrible, like I was somehow responsible.
I know that’s stupid, but I couldn’t help feeling guilty.
October 15th, 2025 at 9:28 am
I knew it was bad when I heard it on the radio. I also thought, oh sh1t! Unlike CG14’s fate, it was an unfortunate, freaky break, not a deliberate illegal hit. LVD, VV and TW are classy humans off the field. They’re Bucs. They’ve seen and been through more than their share of adversity. The 49ers have earned the respect given their franchise, unlike quite a few others. Good luck to Warner. He will be back.
October 15th, 2025 at 9:41 am
knew it was bad when I heard it on the radio. Unlike CG14’s fate, it was an unfortunate, freaky break, not a deliberate illegal hit. LVD, VV and TW are classy humans off the field. They’re Bucs. They’ve seen and been through more than their share of adversity. The 49ers have earned the respect given their franchise, unlike quite a few others. Good luck to Warner. He will be back.
October 15th, 2025 at 9:52 am
Class. So proud of this team and franchise.
October 15th, 2025 at 2:36 pm
Yeah i hated to see that. Whenever you saw Fred on the field you saw some good football. I wish him the best.
October 15th, 2025 at 2:42 pm
Lavonte David is such a kindhearted guy. So glad he on our team.
October 15th, 2025 at 3:50 pm
Awesome article!
October 15th, 2025 at 4:20 pm
Listening to 49ers podcasts, since I like to hear opposing teams fans yell and scream when they lose, and frankly, those podcasts were not all that fun since it was 90% about how losing Warner just tanked their season and left them hopeless. Somewhere, deep deep inside, I actually felt almost kinda bad for the 49ers fans. Almost.