ASHBURN, Va. Thomas Davis Sr., linebacker of the Washington football team, will retire at the end of this season, he said in an Instagram post.
Washington (6-9) can extend Davis’ final season by beating the Philadelphia Eagles to win the NFC East Sunday.
Davis, 37, has played in the NFL for 16 years – the first 14 with Carolina and then the last two with the Los Angeles Chargers and Washington.
Davis has mostly played a supporting role in Washington this season. According to ESPN Stats & Information, he played in seven games and received 132 snaps of scrimmage. Washington coach Ron Rivera signed him because of Davis’ leadership and his familiarity with what Rivera wanted from his players.
Rivera trusted Davis because of how he played for him in Carolina, where he made the Pro Bowl three consecutive seasons, from 2015 to 2017. He was an All-Pro player in the first team in 2015, the year which reached Carolina the Super Bowl. Davis signed a two-year deal with the Chargers in 2019, but was released last season.
Davis also endured three torn ACLs. In remembrance of how he endured, Davis posted photos of clamps on Instagram summarizing his career. One clamp wrote on it “3 ACL tears. 3 ACL repairs.” It also shows how much Pro Bowls he earned. On the other hand, it shows that he won the 2014 Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
Davis wrote in his Instagram post:
“Sometimes things can happen that make you feel unworthy. Just know that no one can steal what God has already planned for your life! I am extremely blessed and grateful for every opportunity I have been given because nothing is ever given to you. no! You work your butt off and pray that God’s plan suits you! “
Carolina drafted Davis with the 14th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft; he played line-back and free safety in Georgia. He was considered a safety prospect before the draft, but the Panthers moved him to a lineout player. His speed and athleticism helped him achieve success in the NFL.
In 199 games, Davis recorded 1,151 tackles, 29 sacks, 18 forced fumbles and 13 interceptions.