Demario Davis

NFL CAREER – Since signing with New Orleans in 2018, Davis has made an instant impact to the defense and team as a whole, as he was immediately voted as a team captain. As a unit in 2023, the New Orleans defense ranked eighth in the NFL in points allowed and tied for fourth in turnovers forced. This dependable and sure-tackling defender led the Saints in stops for the sixth straight season, posting a team-high 121 tackles, becoming only the second Saint to have 100 stops in sixth consecutive seasons, seven straight as a professional and in 10 of 12 campaigns, while tying his career high with 6.5 sacks. For his career, the Brandon, Miss. native has missed only one game and played in 194 regular season contests with 180 starts for the Saints, Jets (2012-15, 2017), and Cleveland Browns (2016), recording 1,335 tackles (860 solo), 42.5 sacks, three interceptions, 55 passes defensed, four forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries and 24 special team stops. Davis is one of only three active players with at least 1,300 career stops and joins Joe Federspiel as only the second Saint with six seasons of at least 100 tackles. Overall he has reached the century mark in seven straight seasons and 10-of-12 campaigns.

NFL CAREER – Since signing with New Orleans in 2018, Davis has made an instant impact to the defense and team as a whole, as he was immediately voted as a team captain. As a unit in 2023, the New Orleans defense ranked eighth in the NFL in points allowed and tied for fourth in turnovers forced. This dependable and sure-tackling defender led the Saints in stops for the sixth straight season, posting a team-high 121 tackles, becoming only the second Saint to have 100 stops in sixth consecutive seasons, seven straight as a professional and in 10 of 12 campaigns, while tying his career high with 6.5 sacks. For his career, the Brandon, Miss. native has missed only one game and played in 194 regular season contests with 180 starts for the Saints, Jets (2012-15, 2017), and Cleveland Browns (2016), recording 1,335 tackles (860 solo), 42.5 sacks, three interceptions, 55 passes defensed, four forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries and 24 special team stops. Davis is one of only three active players with at least 1,300 career stops and joins Joe Federspiel as only the second Saint with six seasons of at least 100 tackles. Overall he has reached the century mark in seven straight seasons and 10-of-12 campaigns.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Agreed to terms on a two-year contract through 2025 with Saints, 3/11/24; Signed a contract extension with Saints, 9/13/20; Signed by Saints to three-year contract (UFA-NYJ), 3/19/18; Traded by Browns to Jets, in exchange for S Calvin Pryor; 6/1/17; Signed by Browns to two-year contract (UFA-NYJ), 3/16/16; Signed four-year contract with Jets, 6/1/12; Selected by New York Jets in the third round (77^th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft.

HONORS – 2023: Second-team All-Pro (Associated Press); Pro Bowl. 2022: Second-team All-Pro (AP, Pro Football Journal); Pro Bowl; New Orleans Saints Man of the Year (Team nominee for Walter Payton Man of the Year); Alexis de Tocqueville Award (United Way of Southeastern Louisiana). 2021: AP second-team All-Pro. 2020: AP second-team All-Pro; PFWA All-NFC; Bart Starr Award; Saints Man of the Year (Team nominee for Walter Payton Man of the Year); Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame Jimmy Collins Award (Allstate Sugar Bowl). 2019: AP first-team All-Pro; NFL Way to Play Award (Week 10). 2018: NFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week Four); Athletes in Action Call to Courage Award.

2023 – Started all 17 games at MLB and led New Orleans in tackles for sixth straight campaign, posting a team-high 121 stops (74 solo) and tying his career-high of 6.5 sacks, tied for first in NFL among inside linebackers, 12 stops for loss, four passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Joined Pro Football Hall of Fame LB Rickey Jackson (1984 and 1986) as only the second Saints linebacker to have at least 105 tackles and six sacks in a season twice. The leader of a defense that ranked top 10 in points allowed and opponent red zone touchdown percentage, while finishing in the top five in opponent third down conversion rate, interceptions, and total takeaways. Selected AP second-team All-Pro, receiving All-Pro honors for fifth consecutive campaign, joining G Jahri Evans as only the second Saints to be selected in five consecutive seasons and Pro Football Hall of Fame K Morten Andersen, QB Drew Brees, Jackson and PFHOF T William Roaf as only the sixth Saint selected five times. Named to the Pro Bowl for the second consecutive season…In opening win against Tennessee, led the Saints with ten stops and a tackle for loss, Sept. 10…In win at Carolina, Sept. 18, recorded seven tackles and a sack…Led a Saints defense in a 34-0 shutout win at New England, tying for a team-high  with six tackles and one pass defensed, Oct. 8…Recorded seven tackles, one sack, two stops for loss and a pass defensed, at Houston, Oct. 15…Finished with a season-high 13 tackles at Indianapolis, Oct. 29…Vs. Chicago, Nov. 5, added nine tackles, a sack, and one forced fumble…At Minnesota, Nov. 12, recorded nine tackles, one quarterback hit, and one sack…Helped hold Carolina to six points in home win, recording nine tackles, a season-high 1.5 sacks, three quarterback hits, and one pass defensed, Dec. 10…Recorded ten stops (eight solo), a sack, and two tackles for loss in a win vs. N.Y. Giants, Dec. 17, as an opponent was kept out of the end zone for  second consecutive week…Totaled six tackles at L.A. Rams, Dec. 21…Added  four tackles, a fumble recovery, and a stop for loss in important divisional victory at Tampa Bay, Dec. 31…Recorded nine tackles and two stops for loss in season finale win vs. Atlanta, 1/7/24. 2022 – Started all 17 games at MLB and led Saints in stops, was selected as an AP All-Pro and earned first career Pro Bowl nod, posting club-best 109 tackles (53 solo), a career-high 6.5 sacks, first in NFL among inside linebackers, six passes defensed and a fumble recovery…Joined Jackson as only the second Saints linebacker to have at least 105 tackles and six sacks in a season…Key member of a unit that finished ranked second in NFL in pass defense, fifth in total defense, tied for fifth in sacks and ranked ninth in opponent points per game…In season-opening win at Atlanta, Sept. 11, recorded six tackles (five solo) and a QB hit…Vs. Tampa Bay, Sept, 18, recorded five tackles, one pass defense and one fumble recovery…At Carolina, Sept. 25, recorded five tackles, a sack/stop for loss, two quarterback hits and a pass defense…Vs. Minnesota (London), Oct. 2, made 150th career start and had eight tackles (five solo) with one sack/QB hit/stop for loss…Vs. Cincinnati, Oct. 16, recorded nine tackles (seven solo), two sacks for a 17-yard loss to tie career-high, two stops for loss and two QB hits…At Arizona, Oct. 20, recorded four solo tackles, a sack/QB hit/stop for a six-yard loss…Vs. Las Vegas, Oct. 30, finished with three tackles (two solo), including a stop for loss in 24-0 shutout…Vs. Baltimore, Nov. 7, recorded seven tackles (five solo), a sack and two stops for losses…vs. L.A. Rams, Nov. 20, recorded eight tackles (three solo) and a QB hit/split sack…at San Francisco, Nov. 27, registered eight tackles (two solo) and one pass defense…at Tampa Bay, Dec. 5, registered seven tackles (two solo), one interception of Tom Brady and two passes defensed…vs. Atlanta, Dec. 18, finished with a team-best eight tackles (five solo)…at Cleveland, Dec. 24, had five assisted tackles…at Philadelphia, 1/1/23, registered team-high seven tackles (three solo) and one pass defense, becoming only the third active player with 1,200 stops…Became only third Saint with at least 100 tackles in five consecutive seasons, joining Federspiel (six seasons, 1975-80) and S Roman Harper (five seasons, 2008-12)…In finale vs. Carolina, 1/8/23, registered eight tackles (three solo), including a stop for loss. 2021 – Started all 16 games he played in at MLB and led team in tackles for fourth consecutive season with 105 stops (70 solo), three sacks and seven passes defensed, recording double-digits in three contests. Became first Saint to reach the century mark in tackles in four consecutive seasons since Harper (2009-12) and the first Black and Gold defender with at least 101 stops in four straight campaigns since Federspiel. Selected AP second-team All-Pro…Key member of a unit that finished the season ranked first in the NFL in red zone touchdown percentage, second in opponent first downs and opponent rushing first downs, fourth in scoring defense, opponent net yards per play and run defense, seventh in total defense and eighth in sacks…Finished with four tackles in season-opening 38-3 win vs. Green Bay, Sept. 12 (played in Jacksonville, Fl. due to Hurricane Ida)…Led Saints with 12 tackles (eight solo), a stop for loss and a pass defense at Carolina, Sept. 19…Recorded eight tackles (seven solo) with two stops for loss and two passes defensed in win at New England, Sept. 26…Recorded eight tackles (five solo) and one sack at Washington, Oct. 10…Finished with team-leading ten tackles (seven solo) on Monday Night Football win at Seattle, Oct. 25. Added two sacks, a season-high four stops for a loss, three quarterback hits and defended one pass…Recorded five tackles (three solo), including one stop for loss and a QB hit in victory over Tampa Bay, Oct. 31…Had team-high ten tackles (six solo) with a stop for loss vs. Buffalo, Nov. 25…Had team-high eight tackles with a stop for loss and defended a pass at N.Y. Jets, Dec. 12…Recorded team-high seven tackles (three solo) with one stop for loss and defended one pass in a 9-0 shutout win at Tampa Bay on Sunday Night Football, Dec. 19…Missed the Week 16 game vs. Miami due to COVID-19 protocols, ending consecutive games played streak at 157, the NFL's longest active at the time it ended…Returned to lineup vs. Carolina, 1/2/22 and posted five tackles (two solo) and a pass defense…In  season finale at Atlanta, 1/9/22, recorded a team-high five solo tackles. 2020 – Started all 16 regular games he played in and both postseason contests. Opened first seven games at WLB before moving to MLB for remainder of season starting at Tampa Bay, Nov. 8. Posted more than 100 tackles for the fourth consecutive season with a team-high 119 stops (73 solo), his seventh campaign at the century mark, reaching double-digits in four contests. Registered four sacks and six passes defensed. Associated Press second-team All-Pro. A key member of a unit that finished fourth in opponent yards per game and opponent rushing yards per game, also ranked fifth in points per game, passing yards per game and opponent third down conversion rate, the only Saints team to finish in the top five in run defense in three consecutive seasons…In season-opening win vs. Tampa Bay, Sept. 13, finished with six tackles (five solo) and a sack of Brady…At Las Vegas, Sept. 21, finished with eight tackles (five solo) and a pass defense…Vs. Green Bay, Sept. 27, finished with seven tackles (six solo) and a sack of Aaron Rodgers…At Detroit, Oct. 4, finished with five tackles (four solo)…Vs. L.A. Chargers, Oct. 12, tied for team lead with ten tackles in Monday Night Football win…Vs. Carolina, Oct. 25, finished with two solo tackles, as Panthers managed only 37 rushing yards on 14 carries (2.6 avg.)…At Chicago, Nov. 1, finished with four solo tackles…At Tampa Bay, Nov. 8, in first start at MLB as Saint, posted five solo tackles, tied for team lead as New Orleans surrendered only 194 total net yards in 38-3 victory…Vs. San Francisco, Nov. 15, recorded third sack of season, taking down Nick Mullens on the final play of the first quarter. Finished with 12 tackles (eight solo) and added a pass defense, pacing a run defense that surrendered only 49 yards on 25 carries (2.0 avg.)…Vs. Atlanta, Nov. 22, led Saints with seven tackles (four solo), while adding a sack and a pass defense…At Denver, Nov. 29, led team with ten tackles (seven solo)…At Atlanta, Dec. 6, led team with nine stops…At Philadelphia, Dec. 13, finished with six tackles (three solo)…Vs. Kansas City, Dec. 20, finished with team-leading and season-high 15 tackles, marking his fourth game of 2020 with double-digit stops and his most as a Saint…Vs. Minnesota, Dec. 25, had eight tackles (six solo)…At Carolina, 1/3/21, started at MLB and recorded the 1,000th defensive tackle of his career on a takedown of Curtis Samuel with 6:59 remaining. Davis with five tackles (two solo) and added one pass defense…In Wild Card Playoff win vs. Chicago, 1/10/21, finished with five tackles (four solo), as New Orleans set a team playoff record surrendering only 239 total net yards, only 48 on the ground on 19 attempts (2.5 avg.)…In Divisional Playoff vs. Tampa Bay, 1/17/21, finished with nine tackles (eight solo) and one sack of Brady, his first career postseason takedown. Also led Saints defenders with two quarterback hits. 2019 – Started all 16 games. Posted a team-high 111 tackles (87 solo), reaching double-digits in three contests. Registered four sacks, an interception and a career-high 12 passes defensed. Voted Associated Press first-team All-Pro. A key member of a defensive unit that finished ranked in the top five in opponent rushing yards per game for two consecutive seasons for only the second time in team history (1986-87)…Recorded seven tackles (four solo) in Wild Card Playoff vs. Minnesota, 1/5/20…Produced nine tackles apiece in back-to-back wins at Seattle, Sept. 22 and vs. Dallas, Sept. 29…Recorded seven solo tackles and two passes defensed vs. Tampa Bay, Oct. 6…Made six tackles (five solo) and a pass defensed in an effort where the defense only surrendered two field goals and 226 total net yards at Jacksonville, Oct. 13…Finished with a team-leading 11 tackles (seven solo), a sack and a pass defensed vs. Atlanta, Nov. 10…Picked off Jameis Winston, posted career-high four passes defensed and added six tackles at Tampa Bay, Nov. 17…Finished with team-leading 11 tackles (nine solo), a sack and a pass defense vs. Carolina, Nov. 24…Posted seven tackles (six solo) and a sack of Jimmy Garoppolo for a nine-yard loss vs. San Francisco, Dec. 8…Made three solo tackles and two passes defensed vs. Indianapolis, Dec. 16…Dropped Ryan Tannehill for a ten-yard loss, led the team with 11 tackles (nine solo) and added one pass defensed at Tennessee, Dec. 22. 2018 – Started all 16 regular season  games and both postseason contests in first Saints campaign…Posted team-high 110 tackles (74 solo), five sacks and added four passes defensed, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery...Recorded eight tackles (five solo) in season opener vs. Tampa Bay, Sept. 9…Recorded nine tackles (three solo) and one forced fumble, playing a key role in a run-stopping effort where New Orleans gave up only 3.4 yards per carry vs. Cleveland, Sept. 16, holding Carlos Hyde to only 43 yards on 16 carries (2.7 avg.)…Finished with a team-leading nine tackles (six solo), helping lead the front seven in a run-stopping effort that surrendered only 48 yards rushing on 22 carries (2.2 avg.) at Atlanta, Sept. 23…Named NFC Defensive Player of the Week at N.Y. Giants, Sept. 30, with a team-best 11 tackles (nine solo) and tied his career-high with two sacks for a 17-yard loss, with Saints giving up only 299 total net yards…Recorded six tackles (five solo) as Saints gave up only 39 yards rushing on 18 attempts (2.2 avg.), vs. Washington, Oct. 8…Finished with six tackles (five solo) and a pass defensed, as New Orleans gave up only 77 yards rushing on 23 carries (3.3 avg.), at Baltimore, Oct. 21...Finished with six tackles (five solo) in Sunday night win at Minnesota, Oct. 28, as New Orleans surrendered only 85 yards rushing on 22 attempts (3.9 avg.)...Finished with a team-high seven tackles (five solo) vs. L.A. Rams, Nov. 4…Finished with six tackles (five solo), a sack for a seven-yard loss, and a forced fumble vs. Atlanta, Nov. 22...Finished with 11 tackles (five solo) at Dallas, Nov. 29...Finished with eight tackles (seven solo) and a pass defense at Tampa Bay, Dec. 9...Led team with eight tackles (four solo), including a sack and two passes defensed at Carolina, Dec. 17…Recorded fifth sack of the season vs. Pittsburgh, Dec. 23. On Steelers' final play from scrimmage, a first-and-ten from the New Orleans 42-yard line, recovered a fumble at the New Orleans 35 to clinch the victory. Finished with three total tackles…Made his postseason debut in the Divisional Playoff vs. Philadelphia, 1/13/19 and led the team with eight tackles…In the NFC Championship vs. L.A. Rams, 1/20/19, led the team with 14 tackles (10 solo), a one-yard interception return and a pass defensed. 2017 – Started all 16 games for Jets at ILB and posted a team-best/career-high 165 tackles (112 solo), five sacks, tied for second in the NFL among inside linebackers, three passes defensed and a fumble recovery…At Buffalo, Sept. 10, led team in tackles (14). Also added a split sack…At Cleveland, Oct. 8, led the Jets in tackles for the fifth straight week (nine), while adding a team-high four quarterback hits…Tied for team lead with 11 tackles 11 and added fourth quarter nine-yard sack at Miami, Oct. 22…vs. Buffalo, Nov. 2, tied for the team lead in tackles (11). Added a second quarter three-yard sack and fourth quarter fumble recovery that set up a touchdown on next play…vs. Carolina, Nov. 12, for eighth time of season, led Jets in tackles with 14. In the third quarter with Carolina backed up at their own 14-yard line, recorded a third down sack to force a punt…At Denver, Dec. 10, recorded career-high 16 tackles, including a stop for loss and a half-sack. Takedown brought Davis' total to team-best five. 2016 – Voted as a season-long captain by his teammates in his only season with Cleveland…Finished second on the team with 99 tackles and added two sacks, two passes defensed and one forced fumble…Dec. 18, at Buffalo, recorded ten tackles, tying a season-high for third time in 2016…Nov. 10, at Baltimore, registered first sack of season and added three tackles…Nov. 6, vs. Dallas, forced first fumble of season and matched sea­son-high with ten stops. 2015 – Started all 16 games and finished with a team-high 114 tackles, five passes defensed, two sacks and a fumble recovery for New York Jets…Dec. 13, vs. Tennessee, earned his second sack of the season when he took down Marcus Mariota for a 13-yard loss on fourth down to halt a fourth quarter drive…Nov. 12, vs. Buffalo, tied for the team lead with nine tackles (seven solo) and registered his first sack of the season…Oct. 4, at Miami, recorded three passes defensed and four tackles…Nov. 27, vs. Philadelphia, registered 15 tackles (including two for loss) and recovered a fumble. 2014 – Started all 16 games for the New York Jets and recorded 125 tackles (87 solo), 3.5 sacks, six passes defensed, two fumble recoveries and two special teams stops…Dec. 28, at Miami, in fourth quarter, sacked Tannehill for a seven-yard loss and finished with four tackles, a sack and a fumble re­covery…Dec. 21, vs. New England, combined with Antonio Allen to drop Brady for eight-yard loss and also tallied 12 tackles, a pass defense and a QB hit…Sept. 22, vs. Chicago, led team with 12 tackles and recorded a half sack for loss of 0.5 yards, recovered a fumble and broke up a pass…Sept. 14, at Green Bay, recorded first-career multi-sack performance, finishing with two takedowns for a 22-yard loss. Also totaled seven tackles (two stops for loss). 2013 – Started all 16 games for New York Jets, ranking second on team with 120 tackles (75 solo), a sack for three-yard loss, an interception/pass defense and six special teams stops…Nov. 2, vs. New Orleans, recorded first-career interception when he picked off a first quarter Drew Brees pass…Sept. 22, vs. Buffalo, amassed nine tackles, including one stop for loss and his first career sack for three-yard loss…Sept. 8, vs. Tampa Bay, logged seven tackles (three solo), including a touchdown-sav­ing rundown of Vincent Jackson to help win game. 2012 – Played in all 16 games with three starts as rookie for Jets. Finished second on team with 16 special teams tackles, also recording 33 defensive stops (21 solo) and one fumble recovery…Nov. 22, vs. New England, recorded a season-high eight tackles.

COLLEGE – Played in 48 games at Arkansas State, starting the final 37. Amassed 230 tackles, seven sacks, five forced fumbles and three recoveries, including one returned 53 yards for a TD, seven passes defensed and four interceptions, including a 75-yard TD…Three-time All-Sun Belt Conference…Earned communications degree…Named to school's Athletic Director's Honor Roll and Sun Belt Conference Academic Honor Roll multiple times.

PERSONAL – Prepped at Brandon (Miss.) HS and led team to its 14th playoff appearance in a 16-year period, as senior when he recorded 81 tackles, six interceptions and a sack…2006 All-Region 3-5A, Mississippi Athletic Conference first-team All-State and Clarion Ledger All-Metro…Played mostly wide receiver as sophomore and junior…Recorded four touchdowns and 386 receiving yards as senior team captain…Starter on the basketball team and competed in the high jump in track & field…Cousin of the late Steve McNair, the standout quarterback for the Tennessee Titans (1995-2005) and Baltimore Ravens (2006-07)…Held an internship with the United Way in Washington D.C. in 2017…Participated in the Willie Colon Alliance for Lupus Research (ALR) Golf Outing, benefiting the ALR Jean Davis Research Grant…Partnered with Saks Fifth Avenue as part of the "Taste of the New York Jets" on a fashion show with teammates to raise funds for the Food Bank for New York City…Hosts annual youth summer camps for middle school youth in Jackson, as well as sponsoring his own seven-on-seven football team in Mississippi…In 2023, Davis opened the Devoted Dreamers Academy at Southern University of New Orleans, a program designed to serve New Orleans youth through sports, academics and mentorship, with gradual plans to evolve into a full-service academic institution…As part of the NFL's 2022 Crucial Catch partnership with the American Cancer Society, met with a skin cancer survivor at training camp, as part of the team and league's "Sun Safety" initiative…For the league's "My Cause, My Cleats" promotion, wore specially designed cleats to support and bring attention to the Devoted Dreamers Academy…Participated in the Zurich Classic's Celebrity Shootout event in 2022 to raise funds for and bring awareness to Devoted Dreamers…Distributed Christmas gifts to underprivileged children on behalf of the Fore Kids Foundation in 2018…In 2019, partnered with the United Way to help raise money for those affected by the Flint, Mich. water crisis, personally visiting Flint…Participated in the 2019 Saints Hall of Fame Golf Tournament at Bayou Oaks Golf Club…In 2020, partnered with the United Way of Southeast Louisiana with a matching donation to the Hospitality Cares Pandemic Response Fund, which provides aid and assistance in the form of crisis grants to hospitality workers in need…For the 2020 postseason, spearheaded a campaign through his foundation and in collaboration with the Athletes Corner to donate over 16,000 meals to a local food bank…At the 2021 NFL Draft in Cleveland, announced the team's third round pick, CB Paulson Adebo on behalf of the team and league…Demario and his wife, Tamela have hosted multiple "Dinner with the Davises" events in various locations in the Greater New Orleans area, where they serve a sit down dinner for families, designed to promote and encourage family dinner time…Enlisted teammates in 2021 for his first "Dining for Dreams" celebrity waiter dinner event to raise money for the foundation as well as Hurricane Ida relief efforts locally…Born January 11, 1989 in Collins, Miss..