.jpg) Davis with the Washington Football Team in 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||
| No. 47, 58 | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Outside Linebacker | ||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1983-03-22)March 22, 1983 (age 42) Shellman, Georgia, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 235 lb (107 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||||
| High school | Randolph-Clay(Cuthbert, Georgia) | ||||||||||||||||||
| College | Georgia (2002–2004) | ||||||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2005: 1st round, 14th overall pick | ||||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||||||
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Thomas Antonio Davis Sr. (born March 22, 1983) is an American former professionalfootball player who was anoutside linebacker for 16 seasons in theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theUniversity of Georgia in the early 2000s, where he was recognized as a consensusAll-American.
Davis was selected by theCarolina Panthers in the first round of the2005 NFL draft and played for them for 14 years. Following short stints with theLos Angeles Chargers andWashington Football Team, he retired after the 2020 season.[1][2] Davis recovered from threeACL tears during his career.[3][4][5]
Thomas Antonio Davis Sr. was born on March 22, 1983, inShellman, Georgia.[6] He attended Randolph-Clay High School inCuthbert, Georgia,[7] where he was a four-sport star in football, basketball, baseball, and track. Infootball, he played running back, wide receiver, quarterback, defensive end, defensive back, punter, kicker, and kick returner at various times throughout his career. As a junior, he averaged 30 yards per punt, had two kickoff returns, one punt return, and one fumble return for touchdowns. As a senior, he earned Class AA All-State honorable mention byThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Georgia Sports Writers Association (GSWA) after rushing for 1,032 yards, leading the region in scoring with 108 points in the regular season.[8]
In addition to football, Davis playedbaseball and rantrack, where he qualified for the GHSAAA State T&F Championships for the100-meter dash, placing 6th with a time of 11.1 seconds, and the400 relay, finishing in 43.98 seconds.[9] In the agility tests, he ran a 4.54-second40-yard dash, had a 355-poundbench press, 520-poundsquat, 324-poundhang clean and 34-inchvertical jump.
Davis received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Georgia, where he played for coachMark Richt'sGeorgia Bulldogs football team from 2002 to 2004. Following his sophomore season in 2003, he earned second-teamAll-Southeastern Conference (SEC) honors. He was recognized as a first-team All-SEC selection and a consensus first-team All-American after his junior season in 2004. In 39 career games, he was effective as both a rush linebacker and a free safety, recording 272 tackles, 18 for a loss, 10.5 sacks, three interceptions, six forced fumbles, and nine fumble recoveries. He majored in consumer economics.
Davis opted to forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the2005 NFL draft as an underclassman. He attended theNFL Scouting Combine and completed the majority of drills, but opted to skip the bench press. Davis finished second among all linebackers who participated in the 40-yard dash, behindTexas linebackerDerrick Johnson.[10] On March 22, 2005, Davis attended Georgia's pro day, but opted to stand on the majority of his combine numbers and only ran the 40-yard dash and participated in positional drills. He improved his time in the 40-yard dash, finishing with a 4.52. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Davis was projected to be a first round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was regarded as one of the top safeties in the draft and was highly touted for his versatility and ability to play safety or linebacker. Davis was ranked as the top safety prospect in the draft byScouts Inc. andESPN and was ranked as the top free safety by DraftScout.com and theChicago Tribune.[11][12][13]
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 230 lb (104 kg) | 32 in (0.81 m) | 10+1⁄4 in (0.26 m) | 4.66 s | 1.72 s | 2.81 s | 3.97 s | 7.09 s | 36+1⁄2 in (0.93 m) | 9 ft 7 in (2.92 m) | ||
| All values fromNFL Combine[14] | ||||||||||||
TheCarolina Panthers selected Davis in the first round (14th overall) of the2005 NFL draft.[15] Thomas was the first safety drafted in 2005.[16]
On July 26, 2005, the Carolina Panthers signed Davis to a five-year,$10.60 millioncontract that includes $7.97 million guaranteed.[17] The contract has a maximum value of $13.20 million with incentives and performance bonuses.[18]
Davis entered training camp as asafety, but also learned the linebacker position. On August 15, 2005, it was reported that the Carolina Panthers moved Davis to outside linebacker afterBrandon Short injured his foot during a preseason game against theWashington Redskins.[19] On August 20, 2005, starting strong safetyColin Branch tore hisACL during the Panthers’ 27–21 loss at theNew York Giants in their third preseason game. Defensive coordinatorMike Trgovac opted to move Davis back to strong safety as a replacement for Branch.[20][21] Head coachJohn Fox named Davis the starting strong safety to begin the regular season, alongside free safetyMike Minter.
He made his professional regular season debut and first career start in theCarolina Panthers’ season-opener against theNew Orleans Saints and recorded five combined tackles during their 23–20 loss. Davis struggled during their loss against the Saints and was demoted to backup strong safety behindMarlon McCree for the following game.[22] On September 18, 2005, Davis recorded two solo tackles and made his first career sack in a 27–17 victory against theNew England Patriots in Week 2. Davis sacked Patriots’ quarterbackTom Brady for a ten-yard loss during the second quarter.[23] On December 4, 2005, Davis played as an outside linebacker against theAtlanta Falcons and was used as a quarterback spy to contain Falcons’ quarterbackMichael Vick. Davis was instrumental in the Panthers’ 24–6 victory against Atlanta, making four combined tackles and being credited with half a sack. Davis and strong safety Mike Minter lined up in the box and were used to contain Vick as the Panthers defeated the Falcons for the first time in franchise history since the latter had drafted Vick in2001.[24] In Week 17, Davis collected a season-high five solo tackles during a 44–41 victory at the Falcons.[25] He finished his rookie season in2005 with 38 combined tackles (31 solo) and 1.5 sacks in 16 games and one start.[26]
The Carolina Panthers finished second in theNFC South with an 11–5 record in 2005 and earned a playoff berth. On January 8, 2006, Davis appeared in his first career playoff game and recorded one tackle and made one sack during the Panthers’ 23–0 victory at theNew York Giants in the NFC Wildcard Game. The following week, Davis made three solo tackles during a 29–21 win at theChicago Bears in the NFC Divisional Round. The Panthers were eliminated from the playoffs after a 34–14 loss at theSeattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game.[25]
Davis entered training camp slated as a starting outside linebacker afterWill Witherspoon departed for theSt. Louis Rams. He also changed his jersey number to No. 58 after wearing No. 47 during his rookie season.[27] Head coach John Fox named Davis a starting outside linebacker to begin the regular season. Davis started alongsideNa'il Diggs and starting middle linebackerChris Draft.[28] In Week 5, he collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (nine solo) during a 20–12 win against theCleveland Browns. Davis was inactive for the Panthers’ Week 7 loss at theCincinnati Bengals. On November 19, 2006, Davis made ten combined tackles (nine solo) and recorded a season-high 1.5 sacks on Rams’ quarterbackMarc Bulger during a 15–0 victory against theSt. Louis Rams in Week 11.[29] Davis was inactive for the Panthers’ Week 17 win at theNew Orleans Saints.[30] He finished the2006 NFL season with 88 combined tackles (69 solo), six pass deflections, and 1.5 sacks on 14 games and 14 starts.[26]
Head coach John Fox retained Davis and Na’il Diggs as the starting outside linebackers to begin the season in 2007. They started alongside middle linebackerJon Beason.[31] In Week 3, he collected a season-high eight combined tackles (seven solo) as the Panthers defeated theAtlanta Falcons 27–20.[32] On December 22, 2007, Davis recorded seven combined tackles, deflected two passes, and made his first career interception during a 20–13 loss to theDallas Cowboys in Week 16. Davis intercepted a pass by Cowboys’ quarterbackTony Romo, that was originally intended for wide receiverPatrick Crayton, in the fourth quarter.[33] Davis started in all 16 games in2007 and recorded 88 combined tackles (72 solo), five pass deflections, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and one interception.[26]
Head coach John Fox retained Davis, Na’il Diggs, and Jon Beason as the starting linebackers in 2008. In Week 11, he collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (ten solo) and was credited with half a sack in the Panthers’ 31–22 win against theDetroit Lions. On December 21, 2008, Davis tied his season-high of 11 combined tackles (nine solo) and made one sack during a 34–28 loss at theNew York Giants in Week 16.[34] He started in all 16 games in2008 and recorded 113 combined tackles (92 solo), six passes defensed, 3.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.[26]
On January 22, 2009, it was announced that Carolina Panthers’ defensive coordinatorMike Trgovac opted not to return and resigned from his role as defensive coordinator.[35] On January 26, 2009, the Carolina Panthers announced their decision to hire formerIndianapolis Colts’ defensive coordinatorRon Meeks to be their new defensive coordinator.[36] Head coach John Fox retained Davis, Na’il Diggs, and Jon Beason as the starting linebackers for the third consecutive season.[37]
Davis started in theCarolina Panthers’ season-opener against thePhiladelphia Eagles and recorded a season-high 16 combined tackles (14 solo) during their 38–10 loss. On October 18, 2009, Davis recorded eight solo tackles, broke up two passes, and intercepted a pass by Buccaneers’ quarterbackJosh Johnson during a 28–21 win at theTampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6.[38] On November 8, 2009, Davis sustained a leg injury during the third quarter of the Panthers’ 30–20 loss at theNew Orleans Saints and did not return.[39] On November 10, 2009, the Carolina Panthers placed Davis on injured reserve after it was discovered he had torn hisACL.[40] He finished the season with 61 combined tackles (48 solo), five pass deflections, two interceptions, and 1.5 sacks in seven games and seven starts.[26]
On June 8, 2010, Davis tore his ACL on the second day of minicamp. The injury occurred while Davis was backpedaling during a non-contact drill.[41] On August 31, 2010, the Carolina Panthers placed Davis on their physically unable to perform list.[42][43]
On January 1, 2011, the Carolina Panthers announced their decision to fire head coachJohn Fox after the Panthers finished with a 2–14 record in 2010.[44] On January 13, 2011, the Carolina Panthers announced the hiring of formerSan Diego Chargers’ defensive coordinatorRon Rivera as their new head coach.[45]
On July 29, 2011, the Carolina Panthers signed Davis to a five-year, $36.50 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $7 million.[46] The contract also included an $8 million option bonus for 2012.[47] On September 18, 2011, Davis tore his ACL in his right knee during third quarter of the Panthers’ 30–23 loss to theGreen Bay Packers in Week 2. The injury occurred when Davis right leg was caught up in a pile of players. On September 19, 2011, the Carolina Panthers officially placed Davis on injured reserve.[48] This became Davis’ third torn ACL in 23 months.[49] No professional athlete had ever recovered and returned to play after three ACL tears in the same knee.[50] He stated at the time that he would become the first and hoped to be an inspiration to others.[51] Davis finished the2011 NFL season with 12 combined tackles (six solo) and was limited to two games and two starts.[26]
On March 13, 2012, the Carolina Panthers chose not to exercise an $8 million bonus option on his five-year, $36.50 million contract. On February 25, 2012, the Carolina Panthers restructured Davis’ contract in order to save cap $3.80 million in cap space. His base salary for 2012 was restructured from $2.20 million to the veteran minimum of $700,000.[52][53]
Davis was held out of minicamp as he recovered from ACL surgery, but returned in time to participate in training camp. Davis had been replaced as the starting weakside linebacker by rookie first round pickLuke Kuechly. He competed againstJames Anderson to be the starting strongside linebacker.[54] Head coach Ron Rivera named Davis the backup strongside linebacker, behind James Anderson, to begin the regular season.[55] On September 9, 2012, Davis recorded three combined tackles during the Panthers’ season-opening 16–10 loss at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He became the first known player to successfully return to active competition after suffering three torn ACLs on the same knee. Davis was inactive during the Panthers’ Week 3 loss to theNew York Giants due to ahamstring injury.[56] Davis was named the starting weakside linebacker in a Week 5 after Jon Beason sustained a shoulder injury and was replaced by Luke Kuechly after being placed on injured reserve on October 24, 2012.[57] On November 18, 2012, Davis collected a season-high 16 combined tackles (11 solo) during the Panthers’ 27–21 loss to theTampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 11. In Week 14, Davis recorded seven combined tackles, deflected a pass, and made an interception during a 30–20 victory against theAtlanta Falcons.[58] Davis finished the2012 NFL season with 105 combined tackles (70 solo), three pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and one interception in 15 games and 12 starts.[26]
After three years of injuries, Davis started all 16 games and recorded a career-high 123 tackles and four sacks, in addition to two interceptions and a forced fumble. He was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month of November and won the NFC Defensive Player of the Week during week 6. He played alongsideChase Blackburn andLuke Kuechly to help Carolina achieve a second-ranked defense.
Through the first five weeks of the 2014 season,Pro Football Focus rated Davis as the best 4-3 outside linebacker in coverage.[59] In the must-win finale at Atlanta, Davis returned a fumble 33 yards to set up a crucial touchdown that started the rout of the Falcons. The Panthers won the game 34–3, becoming the first team in theNFC South to win back-to-back division titles and sending the Panthers into the playoffs for the second year in a row, the first time in franchise history.[60] Davis' leadership, play, and consistency was a big contributor in these achievements, along with those same attributes found in Kuechly and tight endGreg Olsen. In the Panthers wild-card playoff matchup against theArizona Cardinals, Davis was a part of a stifling defense that set an NFL record for fewest yards allowed in a playoff game, limiting the Cardinals to just 78 total yards and forcing three turnovers.[61] According to Pro Football Focus, Davis was the best defensive player on the field, registering seven tackles while also grading out as the best player in coverage for the Panthers, showcasing his roots as a safety.[62] For the season, Davis was among the league leaders in pass coverage linebackers allowing just 7.1 yards per reception.[63] On January 31, 2015, Davis was named the 2014 Walter Payton Man of the Year by the NFL, recognizing his off-the-field community service work.[64]
On June 15, 2015, Davis signed a two-year contract extension.[65] In 2015, Davis changed the back of his jersey from "Davis" to "Davis Sr" at the request of his son.[66] Davis continued his outstanding play during the start of the2015 NFL season, recording 25 tackles, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble through just the first three games. The next week against theTampa Bay Buccaneers Davis recorded 11 tackles and 1 interception in a 37–23 victory. Davis played very well during the Panthers Sunday Night victory over thePhiladelphia Eagles recording a season high 13 tackles. Through the first 15 weeks of the 2015 NFL season, Davis set career highs in sacks (5.5) and interceptions (3). For his efforts, Davis was named to the2016 Pro Bowl, a rare honor to an outside linebacker in a 4-3 defense.[67][68] Davis finished the regular season with 105 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 4 interceptions. He was named to the AP All-Pro First Team.[69] During the Divisional Round Playoffs, another showdown against Seattle, Davis secured the Panthers win by catching the Seahawks onside kick attempt with 1:12 left in the game, sending the Panthers into the NFC Championship Game.[70] It was Davis' second onside kick recovery of the season, the first coming against theDallas Cowboys Thanksgiving night game.[71] Davis returned to the NFC Championship game for the first time since his rookie season in 2005, the only active Panther to have played in both conference championship games.[72] Davis was knocked out of the conference win in the second quarter with a broken arm, and finished the game with six tackles. He vowed to return for theSuper Bowl and went into surgery early the following morning on the arm to uphold that promise.[73] Davis played inSuper Bowl 50. In the game, he recorded seven tackles, but the Panthers fell to theDenver Broncos by a score of 24–10.[74][75] According toPro Football Focus, Davis had the second-highest coverage grade of any linebacker in the NFL behind only teammate,Luke Kuechly.[76] He was ranked 54th on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2016.[77]
Davis started all 16 games, recording 106 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 4 passes defensed and 3 interceptions. He was named to his second straight Pro Bowl, and was ranked 89th on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2017.[78]
On August 15, 2017, Davis signed a one-year contract extension with the Panthers through the 2018 season.[79] On November 3, Davis was fined $48,620 for a helmet-to-helmet hit onAdam Humphries in Week 8 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[80] On December 18, 2017, Davis was suspended two games after an illegal helmet-to-helmet hit to Packers wide receiverDavante Adams which caused a concussion.[81] The next day, his suspension was reduced to one game after an appeal.[82] He finished the season with 76 combined tackles and 2.5 sacks, on his way to his third straight Pro Bowl. He was ranked 73rd by his peers on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2018.[83]
On January 12, 2018, Davis declared that the 2018 NFL season would be his last one.[84] On April 6, 2018, Davis was suspended the first four games of the 2018 season for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.[85] After the season, Davis stated that he would not be returning to the Panthers.[86]
On March 13, 2019, Davis signed a two-year, $10.5 million contract with theLos Angeles Chargers.[87] In the team's season opener against theIndianapolis Colts, he recorded 14 tackles in a 30–24 overtime win.[88] Davis was released on March 13, 2020.[89]
On March 26, 2020, Davis signed with theWashington Football Team, then known as the Redskins prior to a name change later that offseason.[90] He announced his plans to retire following the season, with Washington releasing him on March 3, 2021.[91][92] He signed a one-day contract with the Panthers on March 11.[93]
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Comb | Solo | Ast | Sack | PD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | FF | FR | ||
| 2005 | CAR | 16 | 1 | 38 | 31 | 7 | 1.5 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0 |
| 2006 | CAR | 14 | 14 | 88 | 69 | 19 | 1.5 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0 |
| 2007 | CAR | 16 | 16 | 88 | 72 | 16 | 3.0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 2008 | CAR | 16 | 16 | 113 | 92 | 21 | 3.5 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 |
| 2009 | CAR | 7 | 7 | 61 | 48 | 13 | 1.5 | 5 | 2 | 24 | 12.0 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | CAR | 0 | 0 | Did not play due to injury | |||||||||||
| 2011 | CAR | 2 | 2 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 0.0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 1 |
| 2012 | CAR | 15 | 12 | 105 | 70 | 35 | 0.0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 2013 | CAR | 16 | 16 | 123 | 85 | 38 | 4.0 | 7 | 2 | -2 | -1.0 | -1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2014 | CAR | 15 | 15 | 100 | 66 | 34 | 2.5 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 |
| 2015 | CAR | 16 | 16 | 105 | 75 | 30 | 5.5 | 7 | 4 | 22 | 5.5 | 22 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| 2016 | CAR | 16 | 16 | 106 | 73 | 33 | 2.5 | 4 | 3 | 35 | 11.7 | 31 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 2017 | CAR | 15 | 15 | 76 | 52 | 24 | 2.5 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 1 |
| 2018 | CAR | 12 | 12 | 79 | 46 | 33 | 0.0 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 2 |
| 2019 | LAC | 16 | 16 | 112 | 65 | 47 | 1.0 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | WAS | 7 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0.0 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 199 | 174 | 1,212 | 855 | 357 | 29.0 | 55 | 13 | 85 | 6.1 | 31 | 0 | 18 | 11 | |
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Comb | Solo | Ast | Sack | PD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | FF | FR | ||
| 2005 | CAR | 3 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 1.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | CAR | 1 | 1 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | CAR | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | CAR | 2 | 2 | 16 | 10 | 6 | 1.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | CAR | 3 | 3 | 18 | 10 | 8 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | CAR | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | WAS | 0 | 0 | Did not play due to injury | |||||||||||
| Career | 11 | 8 | 62 | 43 | 19 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Davis married Kelly Davis in March 2008 and the couple has four children.[94] Their wedding was featured on WEtv's "Platinum Weddings."[95] In March 2024, the couple separated, with Kelly alleging that Davis had “illicit sexual conduct with at least six” other women during their marriage. In September 2025, his estranged wife was arrested for allegedly assaulting one of the women he had had an affair with.[96]
Davis is anEvangelical Christian.[97][98] Davis' cousin,Robert Davis, played wide receiver in the NFL.[99] In November 2024, Davis’ son Thomas Jr. committed toNotre Dame’s 2026 class as a linebacker.[100]
Media related toThomas Davis (American football) at Wikimedia Commons