(* Member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame)

David’s nose for the football – his mastery at both forcing and recovering fumbles – was evident at all points of his long career. He is now retired, but at the end of the 2025 season he was the NFL’s active lader in fumble recoveries and he ranked third in forced fumbles.

Most Fumble Recoveries, NFL, Players Active Through 2025 Season

1. Lavonte David, Tampa Bay: 21

2. T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh: 14

3t. Calais Campbell, Arizona: 13

3t. Khalil Mack, L.A. Chargers: 13

5t. Cameron Jordan, New Orleans: 12

5t. Bobby Wagner, Washington: 12

Most Forced Fumble, NFL, Players Active Through 2025 Season

1t. T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh: 36

1t. Khalil Mack, L.A. Chargers: 36

3. Lavonte David, Tampa Bay: 33

4. Von Miller, Washington: 27

5. Demarcus Lawrence, Seattle: 24

Prior to his retirement, David was also the NFL’s active career leader in solo tackles (1,171) and he ranked second in total tackles, tackles for loss (177), interceptions among linebackers, and passes defensed among linebackers (73).

The tackle numbers referenced in charts above were compiled by StatsPass using numbers generated by stat crews in press boxes during games. From that source, David’s 1,714 totals exactly tied Derrick Brooks for the most in Buccaneers franchise history. Those two are tied for sixth among all players, again with reliable tackle totals dating back to 1994.

Most Career Tackles, NFL, Since 1994 (as compiled by StatsPass)

1. Ray Lewis, Baltimore: 2,061

2. London Fletcher, St. Louis/Buffalo/Washington: 2,040

3. Bobby Wagner^, Seattle/L.A. Rams/Washington: 1,998

4. Junior Seau, San Diego/Miami/New England: 1,763*

5. Zach Thomas, Miami/Dallas: 1,733

6t. Derrrick Brooks, Tampa Bay: 1,714

6t. Lavonte David, Tampa Bay: 1,714

8. Demario Davis^, N.Y. Jets/Cleveland/New Orleans: 1,520

9. Donnie Edwards, Kansas City/San Diego: 1,500

10. Keith Brooking, Atlanta/Dallas/Denver: 1,441

(* Incomplete data, ^ Active player)

A master of pursuit angles, David had a knack for making plays behind the line of scrimmage. He hit double digits in tackles for loss in 10 of his 14 seasons, including 21 in 2013 and 20 in 2012. His 177 career tackles for loss is tied for the third most in NFL history since 1999, according to StatsPass.

Most Career Tackles for Loss, NFL, Since 1999 (as compiled by StatsPass)

1. Calais Campbell, five teams*: 196

2. J.J. Watt, Houston/Arizona: 195

3t. Lavonte David, Tampa Bay: 177

3t. Von Miller, Denver/L.A. Rams/Buffalo/Washington: 177

5. Aaron Donald, L.A. Rams: 176