Apr. 3 2024, Printed 8:03 p.m. ET
Former NFL tight finish Vernon Davis is determined for solutions after Vontae Davis, his youthful brother, unexpectedly died earlier this week, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
Breaking his silence on Wednesday, Vernon revealed Vontae had simply wrapped up a sauna session when he both collapsed or slipped at his Florida residence. Nonetheless, till the post-mortem report is launched, Vernon can solely speculate about what might have induced his brother’s demise.
“This factor undoubtedly caught me unexpectedly,” Vernon, 40, advised Each day Mail. “I simply do not know what to make of it.”
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He mentioned Vontae lately appeared to be wholesome and “by no means actually confirmed a historical past of utilizing medicine or something like that.”
“I used to be at his home two weeks in the past and he had the therapeutic massage therapist there. He had a stretch therapist, a chiropractor, you title it,” Vernon, who performed 14 seasons on the 49ers, Redskins, and Broncos, mentioned.
There have been no indicators of a break-in or any disarray on the $4 million residence in Southwest Ranches the place Vontae, a retired Buffalo Payments cornerback, was discovered unresponsive in a gymnasium on Monday. Police advised RadarOnline.com that foul play was not suspected primarily based on preliminary findings.
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“I am leaning on the detectives to determine it out however proper now we’ve no solutions,” Vernon mentioned. “They will run checks and so they mentioned they will get again to us.”
An official with the Broward County Medical Examiner’s Workplace advised RadarOnline.com Wednesday morning that an post-mortem had been accomplished, however outcomes have been pending additional forensic testing. The physique was prepared for launch to a funeral residence, the spokesperson mentioned.
“It might be so long as a month, a month and a half, till we all know something,” Vernon famous.
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Vontae’s ex-wife, Megan Harpe, additionally reportedly advised Each day Mail earlier this week that she suspected the previous athlete had been affected by power traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The situation, frequent amongst professional soccer gamers, is attributable to steady blows to the top.
“Sure he had CTE … there’s undoubtedly a narrative right here,” Harpe reportedly mentioned in a textual content message.
Vernon mentioned he was unaware of his brother having such a mind harm.
“Possibly that is the case, possibly it isn’t. We do not actually have a solution to that as a result of there isn’t any solution to see into our mind whereas we dwell,” he mentioned.
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Nonetheless, Vontae himself expressed concern over the accidents he had sustained whereas taking part in the game after his abrupt retirement mid-game in 2019.
He launched a press release shortly afterward that learn partially, “This Is not how I pictured retiring from the NFL.”
“However in my tenth NFL season I’ve been doing what my physique has been programmed to do. Get able to play on sport day. I’ve endured a number of accidents and performed by many alternative accidents all through my profession and over the previous couple of weeks, this was the newest bodily problem.”
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Vontae’s well being was additionally known as into query in 2023 when he was discovered handed out on a freeway subsequent to his wrecked Tesla after crashing right into a truck, TMZ reported on the time.
Images obtained by the outlet confirmed him mendacity on the roadside, the place he stayed asleep till police arrived. When he was put right into a cop automotive, he reportedly admitted to having two “blended drinks” earlier than driving and mentioned he had no reminiscence of the accident.
The ordeal in the end led to his conviction for reckless driving, and the previous footballer was sentenced to a 12 months’s probation and 50 hours of group service.
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Earlier than his time with the Payments, Vontae spent six years with the Indianapolis Colts, making two Professional Bowls in 2014 and 2015. He started his profession taking part in for the Miami Dolphins from 2009 to 2011.
Vernon mentioned he and his brother overcame a “powerful background” as they every carved out profitable careers with the NFL.
“We have been 4 years aside however I keep in mind waking him as much as do exercises when he was younger and I used to be in highschool. I made him do it as a result of I wished him to succeed much more than I wished myself to succeed,” Vernon mentioned, including, “I couldn’t have picked a greater little brother.”