Vernon Davis has shared a heartfelt tribute to his late brother Vontae, nearly three weeks after the unexpected death of the former NFL star.
Vontae was found deceased in his gym at his home in Southwest Ranches, Florida on April 1. The circumstances of his death are still under investigation by detectives, who have found no signs of foul play or disturbance at his residence.
In a touching Instagram post, Vernon shared a photo of Vontae with the song “Missing You” playing in the background. He captioned the post: “The perfect image for the most amazing soul! Absent from the body but present with the Lord. Love you brotha!”
RELATED: Pat McAfee Fights Back Tears Talking About Death Of Former Indianapolis Colts Teammate Vontae Davis
Both brothers had notable NFL careers, with Vontae playing for the Dolphins, Colts, and Bills, and Vernon winning Super Bowl 50 with the Broncos. Vontae’s career ended abruptly in 2018 when he retired at halftime during a game, citing the physical toll of injuries and surgeries on his body. He later expressed concerns about the risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain condition linked to repeated head traumas.
Vontae’s ex-wife Megan Harpe hinted he suffered from CTE, which could manifest in symptoms such as memory loss, depression, and paranoia. The condition has been identified in over 300 deceased NFL players.
In an emotional statement, Vernon spoke about his brother’s unexpected death, revealing that it seemed Vontae had collapsed shortly after leaving a sauna. “This thing definitely caught me by surprise. I just don’t know what to make of it,” Vernon said, adding that he is anxiously awaiting further information from the ongoing investigation.
Vernon also mentioned that while Vontae was diagnosed with attention-deficit disorder during his childhood, he seemed to be in good health and never spoke of any brain injuries. Despite his legal challenges, including a recent divorce and a lawsuit from a DUI incident, Vontae had been working on new ventures, such as a luxury chauffeur service and a documentary about overcoming adversity with his brother Vernon.
Reflecting on his loss, Vernon expressed his deep affection for Vontae: “I couldn’t have asked for a better little brother.” He concluded by stressing the uncertainty surrounding the exact cause of Vontae’s passing, emphasizing the need for patience as they await conclusive answers.
