Days after former NFL cornerback Vontae Davis suddenly passed away at the age of 35, his brother and former NFL star Vernon Davis provided some details on the situation and shared what might’ve led to his brother’s tragic passing.
Vontae Davis, a two-time Pro Bowl selection with the Indianapolis Colts and first-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, was found unresponsive at his grandmother’s home on Monday. Foul play was immediately ruled out, but authorities were still investigating to determine the cause of his passing.
- Vontae Davis stats (career): 97 pass deflections, 22 interceptions, 10 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, 1 pick-six in 121 career games played
Related: Former NFL cornerback Vontae Davis passes away
The former NFL cornerback began his career with the Miami Dolphins after starring in the secondary for the Illinois Fighting Illini. Following his retirement at the start of the 2018 NFL season, he spent time in Florida.
Vernon Davis, Vontae’s older brother, and the rest of his family are going through the grieving process and hoping to find more answers about what happened. Reflecting on his brother’s life in an interview with the Daily Mail, the former San Francisco 49ers tight end shed light on what might’ve happened.
- Vernon Davis stats (career): 583 receptions, 7,562 receiving yards, 63 touchdowns
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Davis told the Daily Mail that the investigation into his brother’s death could take anywhere from a month to 6 weeks. In the interview, Davis said that Vontae appeared to have collapsed or slipped moments after stepping out of his sauna.
“This thing definitely caught me by surprise. I just don’t know what to make of it. I was at his house two weeks ago and he had the massage therapist there. He had a stretch therapist, a chiropractor, you name it.”
Vernon Davis on the sudden death of his brother Vontae Davis (H/T CBS Sports)
Davis wouldn’t be the first former NFL player in recent years to pass away shortly after using the sauna. As the Frisco Police Department told NFL.com, former running back Marion Barber’s death was caused by heat stroke in June 2022 from using the sauna, though, he was known to work out in sauna-like conditions in the past.
Whole Vontae’s ex-wife told the Daily Mail that she thinks CTE might’ve been a factor in his death, Vernon made it clear he isn’t willing to go there yet.
