Tampa Bay Buccaneers great Lavonte David’s love for the game was evident throughout his career, and it was also acknowledged by the Glazer family recently, who have owned the team since 1995. Only days after he called time on a remarkable 14-year run in the NFL, David reflected on a promise his former teammate Tom Brady made to him during their Super Bowl-winning season.

“Look at me, I promise you,” said David, recalling Tom Brady’s exact words on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast. “When we come back, we aren’t going to lose another game.”

Brady made the promise in 2020 on the bye week following twelve games when the Bucs were sitting at a 7-5 record. After the first ten games were completed, they were sitting comfortably with a 7-3 record after Week 10. However, things took a dramatic shift from Week 11 when they faced the Los Angeles Rams.

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The Red and Black suffered a narrow defeat of 24-27, which certainly upset the veteran quarterback. However, the next week had a similar fate against the Kansas City Chiefs, losing the game at the same margin of 24-27, which began to loosen their grip on the NFC South division, pushing Tom Brady to step up.

Once the Bye Week hit and the team received a two-week break, Brady and co. regrouped, with the loss against the Chiefs remaining the final defeat of the season. Following that game, the Red and Black played eight games, including the playoffs and Super Bowl, coming out on top in each game.

Tom Brady personally made a big impact after the bye week, registering 1,333 passing yards and 12 touchdowns in the last four games of the regular season, which secured the playoff berth. He maintained the same consistency in the postseason, racking up over 1,000 passing yards and 10 TDs.

As for David, he had set franchise records for tackles for loss (177), forced fumbles (33), and fumble recoveries (21) during that year. He also ranked first in solo tackles (1,171) since entering the NFL in 2012.

Even Brady led the franchise from the front with 4,633 passing yards and 40 TDs, and he was 43 at that time—an age when most NFL players can’t fathom making the first team, let alone winning the Super Bowl. It goes without saying that his fitness played a role in that longevity.

Lavonte David opens up on Tom Brady’s unmatched work ethic in the 40s

Tom Brady played a record 23 NFL seasons. While he spent twenty years with the New England Patriots, his final three career years were with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when Lavonte David closely witnessed his dedication to fitness.

“He always likes taking care of his body, getting worked on,” said David in the same interview. “Never really saw him in the weight room, but I always just saw him working, doing stuff to better himself. Got to respect a guy like that.”

Brady’s fitness approach was known as the TB12 method, when the focus remained on flexibility over traditional bulk and heavy lifting in the weight room, which was pivotal in maintaining his peak performance through the mid-40s.

Even today, when he is 48 years old, he maintains an incredible fitness standard, playing in the Fanatics Flag Football recently. Although his team didn’t progress, the legendary quarterback moved like he was in his playing days, and his brilliant touchdown pass to Odell Beckham became a highlight of the tournament.