Former Miami Dolphins standout Vontae Davis dies at 35 in South Florida house

Former Miami Dolphins cornerback Vontae Davis was found dead at a Southwest Ranches home Monday, police said.

Davis’s assistant found him dead Monday morning at the home in the 6000 block of Southwest 178th Avenue and called 911 about 7 a.m., Sgt. Kelvin Urbaez, a spokesperson for Davie Police, said in an email Monday afternoon.

Davis was 35. Investigators do not suspect foul play.

The home where Davis was found Monday morning and had lived is owned by his grandmother, county property records and court records show.

Davis, from Washington, D.C., was raised by his grandmother, Adeline Davis, according to his bio from the University of Illinois, where he played college football and majored in speech communication. He was the younger brother of fellow NFL player Vernon Davis, a two-time Pro Bowl tight end.

In 2019, Davis, working with sportswriter Sean Jensen, published a children’s book, “The Middle School Rules of Vontae Davis,” which discusses Davis’s upbringing “in a rough Washington, D.C., neighborhood,” according to the book’s synopsis. In a 2017 interview about the book, Davis noted his grandmother’s crucial role in his upbringing.

“At age 11, Vontae and his siblings faced living in separate foster homes, but Grandma Adaline refused to allow it, adopting and raising all seven children despite financial difficulties,” the book’s synopsis said. “With some guidance from his older brother Vernon (two-time Pro Bowl tight end) Vontae earned a college football scholarship, and after three years entered the NFL.”

Davis said in the 2017 book interview that he shared the story of his adolescence to teach children the lessons he learned, having seen young friends involved with gang violence and selling narcotics and his own parents who struggled with drug and alcohol addiction.

“This book is very important to me because it shows, even through adversity in life, you know, if you keep working hard, you stay humble and you keep persevering, you know, things could work out,” Davis said in the interview.

The police department has not released additional information about the circumstances of his death.

The Dolphins released a statement Monday afternoon: “We are heartbroken by the sudden passing of former Dolphins CB Vontae Davis and extend our deepest condolences to his family & loved ones during this difficult time.”

Davis was a first-round draft pick of the Dolphins in 2009, selected at No. 25. The cornerback played three seasons for Miami before being traded to the Indianapolis Colts on Aug. 27, 2012, ahead of his fourth NFL season.

Jim Irsay, CEO of the Colts, said in a post on X: “Extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Vontae Davis. A great guy, teammate, player. My prayers to Vontae’s family.”

“We are devastated to hear of Vontae Davis’s passing,” the Colts said in a statement on X. “He was a standout player in his six seasons with the Horseshoe, but he was an even better teammate who carried a smile and positive energy every day. He will be deeply missed, and we send our prayers to his family and loved ones.”

Davis had nine interceptions over his three years with the Dolphins. Inconsistent at the start his career, he was eventually selected to a pair of Pro Bowls in 2014 and 2015 with the Colts.

In 2018 with the Buffalo Bills, Davis famously retired during halftime of his first game with the team against the Los Angeles Chargers. He finished his career with 22 interceptions and 97 pass deflections.

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Vontae Davis,” the Buffalo Bills said in a post on social media Monday afternoon. “We are thinking of his friends, family, and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Chester Frazier, assistant coach of men’s basketball at University of Illinois, wrote in a post on X that the university community “lost a great today.”

“RIP TO @vontaedavis man nothing but good memories of that dude in school!!!” Frazier wrote. “Praying for the Davis family!!”

Davis was arrested in February 2023 on a DUI charge after crashing into the back of a disabled truck, moving the truck, which then hit and injured the owner who was standing outside next to it, according to an arrest report. The court withheld adjudication, meaning he was not convicted, and sentenced him to probation, which was set to end later this month.