(NewsNation) — Vontae Davis, former cornerback for the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills, has reportedly been found dead at a Florida residence. He was 35.
Police and the medical examiner’s office responded to the home in Southwest Ranches, Florida, which is owned by Davis’ grandmother, and found a man deceased at the scene.
An assistant coach at the University of Illinois, where Davis attended college, confirmed Davis’ death on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Davis was drafted by the Dolphins in 2009, then later traded to the Colts and eventually played for the Bills, where he famously quit in the middle of a game in 2018.
During his career, Davis made All-American teams in college, was a first-round draft pick for the Dolphins and earned Pro Bowl appearances during his 10-year NFL career.
Some criticized Davis for his sudden retirement, but he later said he had a “spiritual moment” on the field telling him he was done with football, which had taken a toll on his body. He described feeling liberated after leaving the NFL.
In February of 2023, Davis crashed his Tesla and pleaded no contest to reckless driving. Photos show him sleeping on the side of the road following the crash, and reports suggested he was unable to stay awake even as police tried to question him in the wake of the accident.
The cause of death is unknown, and an investigation is ongoing, though initial statements from investigators suggest there is no reason to suspect foul play.