Lavonte David Addresses Fans, Tears Into Team
December 28th, 2025
There was an interesting moment as Joe sat in a small room with heavy metal doors deep in the bowels of the Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium this afternoon.
A very small handful of media was awaiting Bucs head coach Todd Bowles’ appearance for his postgame news conference. That’s when someone opened one of those doors — attached to the Bucs’ locker room.
It closed very slowly and while it was briefly ajar, Joe could hear screaming from one player in the locker room. It sounded like Lavonte David.
A few expletives were flying and Joe heard David bark something about “your bag” and then someone in the small room spoke up and barked, “Close the door!”
Joe caught David later privately in the locker room and the iconic Bucs linebacker acknowledged that was his voice tearing into teammates.
It’s sad that it’s come to this for a talented Tampa Bay roster.
Joe also asked David for his message to Bucs fans who want to know what’s gone wrong with the team.
“Still a chance is all I can say,” David said. “Still a chance. And, you know, when you’re given a chance. You just got to seize it and you never know what could happen. We’re hurting, just like the fans are hurting. We’re going to get better from it and just keep digging. Keep digging.”
Today was an extra tough day for David, who had dozens and friends and family in the stadium. He acknowledged it was close to 100 people.
“Pretty big for me, man. It was only my second time playing in my hometown,” David said. “Pretty cool. People was reaching out; I was reaching out to people asking them to come out and watch me play in my homeown.”
David added that he reached deep, even to people he knew from his youth football days learning the game.
Joe asked David if it was a way to say good-bye as he retires from the game. David insisted it wasn’t about that.
December 28th, 2025 at 5:17 pm
We love you LVD…..but bruh, you’ve played alota bad games this season
Please retire at the end…..thank you!
December 28th, 2025 at 5:18 pm
This is a collapse like I have never witnessed before. It is obvious change is needed. Good bye Todd. This Defense has cost me at least 10 years off of my life. Punishing.
December 28th, 2025 at 5:19 pm
Fans on the run
December 28th, 2025 at 5:19 pm
Please retire?! If we had someone better than LVD, we’d be playing him. We don’t.
December 28th, 2025 at 5:20 pm
I’m telling you, if players ripped into Baker for loses these games, it would be by far the best thing for the team as I think you’d get the game of his life next week. Baker responds best when people call him out for being awful – and he deserves it right now more than anytime that he’s been here.
Stop treating Baker with kids gloves and lay into him, and I think you’ll see a much better version of him.
December 28th, 2025 at 5:21 pm
Fire Bowles
Make Grizz the Interim Head Coach, it’s not the offense that is the issue
It’s Todd Bowles all the way
Hire Richard Wood for one week as DC, I think he is up to it
The Bucs just need a different voice
Cripes, even hire Tony Dungy for one week, even though his tenure as HC ended basically the same way…. I mean I don’t care, just do something and fire Bowles!!!!
Bah Humbug!!!
December 28th, 2025 at 5:22 pm
Had Canales and Coen in the building who fans were convinced were (and now have proven) are 10x the HC that Bowels wants to believe he is….
The owners let not one but 2 price quality HC go in favor of a bum…. SMH!
December 28th, 2025 at 5:22 pm
So where was Bozo0
December 28th, 2025 at 5:24 pm
I told you! Bucs just trying to win the South. LVD said there’s still a chance but that’s all they want. Bucs know the way they’re playing there is no chance in hell they won a wild card game when they came beat the trash in the NFC South
December 28th, 2025 at 5:24 pm
Bowles was gifted this job. That’s the only way he would have received a HC position.
December 28th, 2025 at 5:25 pm
@ Ballwin
No dude,
LVD is one of the reasons why this defense has been bad as well….he’s been outta position so many times, he’s not as fast as he used to be so he cannot stop the run or cover receivers…………..he just physically cannot make all those plays these lesser players on defense can……
Every NFL player’s brain at the end of their careers says they can make every play…….but their bodies cannot.
He’s just at the end…..and he knows it too
December 28th, 2025 at 5:25 pm
@Rod
There definitely needs to be some accountability for Baker from his teammates. But Bake is cooked, this is who he is. He won’t play better…consistently.
December 28th, 2025 at 5:25 pm
Kaboom told yaal another loss !!
December 28th, 2025 at 5:26 pm
Fire Todd
December 28th, 2025 at 5:26 pm
YOUR BAG
the key…The bag is their MONeY for nothin
December 28th, 2025 at 5:30 pm
The Glazers must have swelled with pride at the release of the documentary celebrating 50 years. Now that the swelling has gone down they can enjoy the sinkage of humiliation. Congratulations !
December 28th, 2025 at 5:30 pm
Bee Says:
December 28th, 2025 at 5:25 pm
@Rod
There definitely needs to be some accountability for Baker from his teammates. But Bake is cooked, this is who he is. He won’t play better…consistently.
———
Well I don’t disagree on consistency, but that inconsistency is why you got a punchers chance if he gets hot, which can happen out of the blue. Go back to 2023, Baker was playing terrible for well over a month, the Bucs seemed dead in the water, then out of the blue, the Bucs go to Green Bay and he has at that point the best game of his life – there was no warning it was going to happen. He followed it up with what I thought was even a better game the following week vs the Jags. Then last year, he wasn’t playing all that great before the bye week, he was up and down week to week – but then again just heated up quickly with no real warning.
One thing is for certain, then kids glove treatment isn’t working and they should at least try something else, it’s not going to hurt anything at this point.
December 28th, 2025 at 5:31 pm
We’re playing a home “play-in” game against a QB coming off a 54-yard game today. Carolina fans are just as apoplectic over the prospect of winning and having to extend their QB as folks on this here website are over the prospect of no coaching change, should we win (forgetting for a moment the possibility of Atlanta winning two).
Canales said Seattle playing more man today “confused” them, whereas the idea of us playing tight man (or tackling) confuses us.
The division no one wants to win!
December 28th, 2025 at 5:31 pm
After this season, not many current Bucs gonna get a “bag” anytime soon.
December 28th, 2025 at 5:31 pm
You dont deserve this Lavonte. Got your ring. HOF will be calling. And he still gives 100 percent.
December 28th, 2025 at 5:32 pm
There’s no possible way you are just magically going to get better. Let’s be real.
December 28th, 2025 at 5:32 pm
It’s not the offense that’s the problem. Are you kidding me? Yes the defense is terrible but so is the offense and special teams. The defense did its part in the second half today, holding the Dolphins to 3 points. This game was on Baker and Grizzard. PERIOD
December 28th, 2025 at 5:32 pm
thank you, Lavante David for a great career talented player……. But if you really wanna help people from your Home town……….. after college in all your years in the NFL………. It’s !! they were reaching out!! not they was reaching out !! we can’t keep having leaders to our children / youth that can’t speak proper English !! SORRY !! it’s ridiculous and why our nation is where it is 🇺🇸
December 28th, 2025 at 5:32 pm
The way Baker Mayfield is playing
It doesn’t matter who the HC is, they will lose
The only chance they have of winning ..
Is to bench Mayfield
December 28th, 2025 at 5:33 pm
The players that got their bag from Jason and then turned on him should be out of a job and out of the NFL. That’s the culture uncle roger created.
December 28th, 2025 at 5:34 pm
Lavonte, you’ve had a great career, but the way you’re playing this season your word fall on deaf ears. Honestly, we called out a handful of bad plays and several missed opportunities. You’re no longer a leader because a leader in any sport has to be a producer.
December 28th, 2025 at 5:35 pm
When Brady came to Tampa he brought an intense winning attitude him and gronk
They brought discipline to the team and the organization and won a Super Bowl, but when he retired and bowls was named coach and Mayfield was given the quarterback position.\n He said the locker room Was toxic and no one was having fun? So the way I see it Losing is not fun. But this is the result of no self discipline , and one To hold the players accountable, they don’t know how to win with a weak coach and quarterback.
December 28th, 2025 at 5:35 pm
The fans need to ignore this team financially until these malingering players and the stale coaching staff is purged.
December 28th, 2025 at 5:35 pm
Hey look, rod bringing up baker again.
Dude has BDS for sure!
December 28th, 2025 at 5:35 pm
@ Eckwood
………it’s a hood thing bruh
But his use of grammar doesn’t mean he lacks high intelligence
December 28th, 2025 at 5:36 pm
What happened during the bye ?
December 28th, 2025 at 5:36 pm
1-7 in the second half of the season…
what is that…?
from first to worst
December 28th, 2025 at 5:37 pm
I’ll never put the blame on David
December 28th, 2025 at 5:37 pm
i didnt even watch the game
the fact that the Bucs still have a chance to be NFC South Champs and headed towards the playoffs is all that matters
we’ll see what happens next week
December 28th, 2025 at 5:37 pm
The player I’m disappointed the most this season is:
LOAFING WINFIELD!!!!
December 28th, 2025 at 5:37 pm
I saw nobody upset on the field, on the sidelines.
Bunch of p***ies that keep their beef in the closet.
No fire!
December 28th, 2025 at 5:38 pm
Bucsfan951 Says:
December 28th, 2025 at 5:35 pm
Hey look, rod bringing up baker again.
Dude has BDS for sure!
———
Yeah, I know, on a football website, on a day where Baker loses another game single handedly, why even bring it up, it’s so common to see Baker losing games it’s not even worth mentioning.
December 28th, 2025 at 5:41 pm
Miami is definitely the SEC of Florida football. Hadn’t thought about David returning home or his deserved payday at end of career.
December 28th, 2025 at 5:42 pm
We are, what we are, in the words of Jim mora, PLAYOFFS, YOU KIDDING ME
December 28th, 2025 at 5:42 pm
I don’t understand why some people think that the Bucs are a talented team. Where is the talented team with a losing record? I see a couple of players doing what they are paid to do. Receiver’s are doing what they are supposed to do. Some good players on the tam, but not outstanding.:
December 28th, 2025 at 5:46 pm
My favorite Buc of the last 14 years. Find a way to get through to these guys. Take on the malcontents and get TB to show ‘em the door.
December 28th, 2025 at 5:48 pm
Feel bad for Lavonte, and also Mike, Chris, and the others playing that are loyal and dear to this team.
December 28th, 2025 at 5:49 pm
@ FrontFour,
You cannot talk up talent to players…..these players just aren’t talented enough on the Defense.
Players the Bucs always relied on aren’t making plays anymore either…..this is why the defense has been so bad this season
December 28th, 2025 at 5:52 pm
you gotta get fired up and dig deep and all those mental aphorisms when you have a tough loss. Not when you’ve lost 7 of your last 8.
The coaches have to be aggressive in strategy and go out and set the place on fire, pedal to the medal, footballs to the walls. And be smart FOR ONCE. They may be the stupidest coaching staff in the NFL.
December 28th, 2025 at 5:56 pm
I have always said Jason Licht is a ” Poor Excuse” for a GM
There is no talent on this team
Only delusional Bucs fans sees the IMAGINARY talent
December 28th, 2025 at 5:58 pm
“WTF over” was radioed back to command and control when friendly fire was costing us good men and victories. This is a WTF over moment.
December 28th, 2025 at 6:01 pm
Just a question.
If LVD retires, then who do who replaces his team leading tackles?
December 28th, 2025 at 6:02 pm
Fire Todd now, truly, screw losing a game in the playoffs bad. You lost your team.
@ TYE is right. That’s why I was so mad that we let Canales go and kept Todd and said it back then. Then we got a gift in Duvall Boy and made the same mistake… for the most boring coach in football. He’s terrible.
Please just fire him. No matter what next week Bucs fans are smiling.
December 28th, 2025 at 6:03 pm
No one tackles worth a sh and no one runs to the ball just watch the dang games its effort. And its scheme. Im sick of their ego
December 28th, 2025 at 6:03 pm
Dude, love LVD, but he’s old man, c’mon!
December 28th, 2025 at 6:04 pm
Bring Back Bucco Bruce Arians and his funny hats
December 28th, 2025 at 6:04 pm
They’re all lazy name one thing we do well
December 28th, 2025 at 6:09 pm
TheBucsAnthem
I completely agree. And have been saying as much since we drafted a WR #1. That said, AWJ, Reddick and maybe others are dogging it and may be locker room issues. We went from winning with grit and resiliency to just stinking the place up. Something changed over the bye. LVD, Mike, Baker, Chris, these are the character guys that know. Call these guys on the carpet. Push ‘em to the bench or out. The door
December 28th, 2025 at 6:11 pm
Love David but his time has come. He couldn’t shed a single block on all these outside screens that led to big games.
Meanwhile Brooks was a tackling machine!
He was a guy who we could have likely traded a red for at the deadline at a position of need. In his prime and would help steady the ILB position for the next 5+ years.
Licht over values his draft picks and over time due to inept coaching more and more they don’t pan out.
Braswell, Hall, Barton to name a few in recent years that were high level draft picks that are below replacement level. You build a roster with your first 3 rounds of players and then special teams for the last 3 and you hope to hit a gem along the way.
We have not picked a stud defensive linemen since Vea. AWJ has regressed and looked bad again today.
Maybe we should throw Licht out as well and let a new GM and coach build fresh around the young talent we do have:
Mauch, Wirfs, Goedeke Mcmillan, Egbuka, Bucky, Tykee, Parrish, Morrison, Kancey if healthy,
Clean house of the overpaid underperforming players and get draft capital or players at other positions of need.
To go: David retire, AWJ and McCollum to trade. White, Dean free agency. Otton gone too. Mike maybe another year and Chris 2 and then they ride off into sunset next.
To draft or sign in FA: Edge, DT, IOL, ILB
December 28th, 2025 at 6:17 pm
Most of the so called talented Buc players,to me, are overpaid
December 28th, 2025 at 6:21 pm
You don’t even hear David’s name called anymore during the games. Thats how much he has fallen off.
December 28th, 2025 at 6:37 pm
Alota players are LOAFING this season…..especially on defense.
Everyone is right…….something did change after the Rams gave the Bucs a beat down and after Bye…..
It’s like the lockeroom just went into absolute dysfunction……..and Gearald McCoy knows something about it too but won’t say anything about it until the season is over for the Bucs….or maybe nothing will ever be said to protect people’s jobs or reputations????
I dunno…….
December 28th, 2025 at 6:39 pm
This team beat the 49ers and the Seasucks this year. It has to be coaching. This defense sucks Deez Nuts right now. Thats all Bowles.
December 28th, 2025 at 6:42 pm
Talented roster???
Ummm who would u consider talented other then 50 when he is 20 pounds lighter?
Asking for a friend
December 28th, 2025 at 6:47 pm
TW, Chris and Mike have talent
Our lines and our backers and our corners do t have it
December 28th, 2025 at 6:53 pm
@Brooks
I took Miami in this game, too!
December 28th, 2025 at 7:13 pm
Will admit, as a 4th generation barrier island boy who grew up with two Lighthouses, that the Lichthouse needs a new keeper.
December 28th, 2025 at 7:34 pm
It seems like the team started tanking after we did nothing at the trade deadline. i am wondering if that is a signal to a football team that the front office does not believe in the team. I do not know but if you do not believe in yourselves this is the kind of football you play
December 28th, 2025 at 7:40 pm
Dude is a Tampa legend. Yeah, he’s done. That’s ok to say.
We are beyond grateful for all he’s done. You got one more in you LVD?
December 28th, 2025 at 7:50 pm
I dare you imbeciles including Rod Munch to name the player you will get next year to replace Baker Mayfield. Sorry you won’t get Burrough from Cinc & you won’t get Dak who is no improvement. You all have big mouths so tell me who is going to start instead. If you remain silent, that shows how worthless you are.
December 28th, 2025 at 7:51 pm
We are in the mess we are in due to the things Bowles has done with this team. He has coaches that don’t improve the players. He calls plays that the players aren’t great at on defense. He doesn’t sit players enough for loafing, and doesn’t fire bad coaches (see special teams for one example). He’s way too chill and calm on the sidelines, and the rest of the team has taken on that attitude; i.e. not enough players get pissed when someone fails to do their job. Baker is our starting QB because he fell in love with him as the Jets’ coach and wanted to draft him. Should have gone with the guy that won you “competition”. All these decisions and more lead us to what we see on the field now: a poorly coached team that doesn’t get better, only worse, and whose QB has a knack for throwing games away in the final minutes. He needs to go. This team needs a coaching reboot and some positions need change. I love Lavonte, and he does still make plays at times, but it’s clear he’s lost a step and isn’t the full time starter he used to be. We need to draft his replacement badly, along with an edge pass rusher that can actually get to the QB.
December 28th, 2025 at 7:57 pm
A chance for what to get busted open like rickjustus wife does
December 28th, 2025 at 7:58 pm
Oh so you wanted Kyle Trask as your QB. Genius!
December 28th, 2025 at 8:04 pm
WE just got beat by Ewer and some of you geniuses think the guy that tore up the SEC and practically matched stats with Joe Burrow (per game) couldn’t play in this league because Bowles thought he couldn’t? The guy that was drafted by Arians? You actually think our current HC has a better grasp on “good QB’s” then Arians did? And we’re the dumb ones?
December 28th, 2025 at 8:09 pm
When you go back to the 2023 pre-season, you could see the foreshadowing of what was to come. Trask was averaging around 13+ yards per completion while Baker was around 8. Why? Because Trask was, and likely always will be, a better intermediate and deep ball passer than Baker. Everyone thinks Baker has the stronger arm because he throws heaters all the time. Trask would have hit McMillan in stride for an easy TD, not throw a lame duck pick to the Dolphins. Baker’s a career sub-30% deep ball passer. So much for that strong arm of his. He lacks touch. He also processes slower. Trask would have likely not thrown the second pick either, as he likely would have noticed Godwin open on the other side and hit him in stride. But keep on with the yada yada. You Baker folks had your wish come true and we’re stuck with him. Enjoy.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:33 pm
“We’re going to keep digging” is an interesting way to phrase it.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:38 pm
Fans on the run.
And the Bucs imploded with a mighty crash
Fans on the run
December 28th, 2025 at 8:39 pm
Fans on the run.
And the Bucs imploded with a mighty crash Yes
Fans on the run
December 28th, 2025 at 8:40 pm
Keep digging is grave, that is.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:52 pm
Falcon, I’ve always thought Kyle Trask got a raw deal when Coach Bowles picked Teddy Bridgewater over him. That move did not make sense at all to me. I think the Bucs should get rid of Bridgewater and bring Kyle Trask back right now while there’s still a chance.
As for Baker, I know he’s playing hurt, I just don’t know how bad the injury is. He’s wearing all kinds of support equipment on his left side. You can see it in his press conferences. The combination of equipment and pain is taking its toll on Bakers passing accuracy !!
Go Bucs!! Beat the Panthers !!
December 28th, 2025 at 8:58 pm
Yeah losers and that’s why no team in the NFL wants Trask. You are pathetic
December 28th, 2025 at 8:58 pm
They got their ‘BAG’
Now the fans should bring their head bags for these bums….
Fans on the run.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:58 pm
Wouldn’t it be funny (actually amazing) if the Bucs win the division at 8-9, turn this team around and make it to the Super Bowl ??
Go Bucs !! Beat the Panthers!!
December 28th, 2025 at 9:00 pm
There should have been screaming back when they lost the first game after the bye. Instead of hearing about execution and communication, someone should have been pointing out how embarrassing these losses have been. Instead of seeing lollipops and rainbows through rose colored glasses, someone should have been yelling about not acting like professional athletes. Sure we had injuries, but using that as an excuse for losing when you’re supposed to be the “next man up” is pathetic. Saying those awful games were acceptable is what created this current atmosphere of giving up. I love the Buccaneers but I’m ashamed to admit it right now.
December 28th, 2025 at 9:02 pm
What I don’t get you idiots is that Baker’s percentages were still pretty high. He is following the offensve Coordinator plays yet you blame him. His interceptions were no higher than most of the other startings QBs. I’m still waiting for you losers to suggest a QB to replace Baker that the Bucs could get. They can’t get Burroughs and they can’t get Prestcott, who is left. Jaxson Dart? Sheduer, lol? You idiots
December 28th, 2025 at 9:12 pm
I love LVD so this message is not directed to him but damn what a way to disrespect the 50 years of the franchise. I watched all the episodes and could not help but cry to all of what got us here yet this team and this year alone has completely irked me because alls I see is a bunch of finger pointing and no accountability starting with the coach! Lack of passion and want. Anywho Go Bucs we still love ya!
December 28th, 2025 at 10:13 pm
Poor Trask. Nobody else wanted him Even as a backup until Atlanta picked him up. But now he is being held down. Because he cannot beat out Cousins. At the end of the season Atlanta will dump him and nobody will pick him up.
December 28th, 2025 at 10:20 pm
Baker made many mistakes today. But at the end of the day we were a missed FG away from overtime. Defense and ST were at fault too. This team is terrible. I am sure someone in the media has inside information. Will they or will be they ever be allowed to tell us what it is.