Bucs inside linebacker Lavonte David has long been the leader on Tampa Bay’s defense. Looking to bounce back from their “clunker” against the Texans and end a four-game losing streak, David was the player mic’d up this past Sunday against the Titans.

Ever the professional, it was an opportunity to hear how his leadership and mentality helped the team get back in the win column. Before the game, David gave the inside linebacker room a little pep talk leading up to the game, telling them to “bring that energy” and to “be the standard today.” As the game progressed, David reiterated to his guys to have a “takeaway, three-and-out” mindset. They responded by having one of their best showings of the season and had some fun doing so.

Bucs ILB Lavonte David – Photo by: USA Today

The most light-hearted moment was between Lavonte David and Tristan Wirfs on their way back from the locker room for the second half. Wirfs was telling him all about scooping up the ball and running with it downfield, to which David replied “You looked good, but I would have scooped your ass.”

After both Lavonte David and Antoine Winfield Jr. missed a chance at getting an interception earlier in the game, Winfield did not miss his chance in the fourth quarter after Markees Watts pressured Will Levis into throwing the ball up in the air. As Winfield came down with it, David shouted “There you go tweeze!”

He then walked up to him saying “We’re going with it,” and he helped lead his fellow captain to the end zone to do the row boat celebration.

With the team having clinched a 20-6 win at Raymond James Stadium, Lavonte David reconnected with Lori Locust, who was the Bucs’ assistant defensive line coach from 2019-2022 and is now a defensive quality control coach with the Titans. After hugging each other, Locust asked him “Why do you still have to be so good?” David answered back that he is aging “Like a fine wine!”

It’s hard to argue with that. Who knows, maybe they will have to get his gold jacket ready soon enough.

Watch Bucs ILB Lavonte David Mic’d Up In Week 10 Win Over Titans

Catch all of Lavonte David mic’d up last week in the five-minute video below.