Former U of I football standout passes away

Posted on April 1, 2024
Davis was 35 years old. (Photo courtesy: Colts/X)

By Blake Haas

FLORIDA – A former University of Illinois football standout player was found dead early Monday morning.

According to WSVN, the Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office in Florida found Vontae Davis at his grandmother’s home.

His grandmother’s home is in Southwest Ranches, Florida.

According to reports, authorities did not identify Davis, Chester Frazier, U of I asst. Men’s basketball coach confirmed the report on social media.

Davis was a first-round pick for the Miami Dolphins in 2009.

The Colts acquired Davis in a trade with the Dolphins before the 2012 season, where he signed a $39 million contract.

Davis was 35 years old.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…