Photos By Hugo Navarro
Miami native, Lavonte David during the off season spends most of the time in his home city, close to his family and friends. We met on the beach last week and talked about his fitness, diet as well how he spends his time off the field. I was nicely surprised how this guy, who looks super tough under the red and black helmet can be such a kind, warmhearted in person.
Lavonte loves coming back to Miami. He really enjoys being around his family and friends. For him Miami is the perfect place where you don’t need a gym to stay fit, you can bike all over the city, run on the beaches, swim in the ocean or train in the parks. He tries to do as much as he can to enjoy the beauty of the Miami outdoors.
Tampa Bay Buccaneer, Lavonte David in the off season is already focused on next season. He trains four times a week between Miami Dade College and Boca Raton. Wednesday’s are days for cardio.
Every Wednesday Lavonte and his friends ride their bikes around Miami. ‘We go all around the city, starting from Downtown Miami to the Beach where we grab something to eat, than we ride the bikes back home’, he says. Lavonte tries to keep his diet clean and healthy. ‘Most of the time athletes have a cheat day, sometimes I do a cheat day here and there but most of the time I watch what I eat. I don’t drink soda, instead I drink plenty of water. I try to eat more vegetables and fish. I feel much better and more energized when eating well.’
Lavonte stays active pretty much all year round. Being an athlete as he is it takes a lots of practice and discipline.
Managing private and professional life for Lavonte so far is not that difficult. ‘I am the same guy as before I became a NFL athlete. I don’t like to draw attention to myself. I am real laid-back guy off the field.”
“The NFL life can be intense, everybody wants to be great in what they doing‘ Lavonte enjoys the game, but does not let to take over his private life. ‘The game is fun, you just want to be in the best shape of your life to perform the best you can.’, he says.
Lavonte David, known for the explosive dynamic and speed has gained his recognition playing college football for the Nebraska Huskers 2010-2011. He set Nebraska’s single – season record for tackles in his first year earning him First Team All-American honors, First Team All Big 12 and Big 12 Newcomer of the year. As a senior, Lavonte earned First Team All Big Ten honors and was awarded the prestigious Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year, an award given to the best linebacker in the Big Ten.
In 2012 Lavonte was drafted in the second round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With the discipline and gentleman like personality, Lavonte became favorite among coaches and teammates. In 2013 he was named to the All Pro Roaster. He is one of the six NFL players to record 280+ tackles over the past two seasons.
Lavonte David is an asset to Miami, and the NFL in general. With his amazing performance and charming personality he is in the right path to success.
