Saints' Demario Davis among top 10 in tackles, 'serving Jesus well'

New Orleans Saints LB Demario Davis, Oct. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

In a sport that takes such a physical tole on a player’s body, in a league that prioritizes youth, at a position where dominance is rarely achieved past the age of 30, NFL linebacker Demario Davis stands apart. The New Orleans Saints’ star, who will turn 37 in January, is once again in the middle of one of the best seasons of his career.

He’s eighth in the NFL in total tackles with 118, and all players in front of him are in their 20s except for Washington’s Bobby Wagner (aged 35). With four games remaining in the 2025-26 season, Davis could set a new career high in tackles; his current career high is 136, set just one season ago. Davis also has two pass deflections, two forced fumbles (tied for a career high), a fumble recovery, and five tackles for loss this season.

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As a team, the Saints are 3-10 and in the middle of a rebuilding year. However, New Orleans did beat the division-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road on Sunday, 24-20, in a game where Davis tied for the team lead with seven tackles.

Another 4th down STOP!

Our Man of the Year @demario__davis #ProBowlVote | 📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/7Vq2O238nU

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 7, 2025

Spirits remain high inside the New Orleans locker room, and it all starts with the team’s veteran leader.

“It really shows our culture. I think nobody wants to be 3-10. Nobody wants to be there. But not all 3-10s look the same,” Davis said after the game. “… You would not think you’re looking at a 3-10 defense. That’s a testament to our front, that’s a testament to our second-level guys, that’s a testament to our back-end guys, that’s a testament to our coaches, that’s a testament to the culture that is being built here, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Originally a third-round pick of the New York Jets out of Arkansas State in 2012, Davis became a solid starter in four seasons with the team. But after one year with the Cleveland Browns and another back with the Jets, he signed with the Saints in March 2018. He was 29 at the time his contract was signed, and he’s only gotten better in New Orleans.

Davis has surpassed the 100-tackle plateau in each of his eight seasons in the black and gold, earning a first-team All-Pro selection in 2019, second-team All-Pro selections in 2020-23, and Pro Bowl selections in 2022 and 2023. He’s proven extremely durable as well, very rarely missing games, and he’s become one of the most respected and inspiring leaders in the NFL. He’s been a team captain since his signing.

Davis has excelled off the field in New Orleans as well. He won the Bart Starr Award in 2021, “created to honor the NFL player who best exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field, and in the community,” according to the award’s website. On Tuesday, another distinction came Davis’ way, when he was named a finalist for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.

Davis has also been nominated three times while with the Saints (including this season) for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, given annually to recognize a player for his community impact and on-field performance. The winner will be announced at the NFL Honors on Feb. 5.

“Man, it’s a tremendous honor,” Davis told the media after news broke. “I think every time you get a recognition of this stature, it takes you back to your ‘why.’ And for me, my ‘why’ will always be centered around my faith. I think we’re called to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth, and I’m so grateful to this organization because of the platform that I have here.

“… To be able to live out your ‘why’ is so rewarding.”

⚜️ Demario Davis on Giving Back to the Community & His WPMOY Nomination 🙌

Demario Davis said being nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is one of the greatest honors of his career, because of what it represents — leadership, service, and making an impact beyond… pic.twitter.com/Rv11bQ8t9O

— Adrian Heart of Gaming (@AdrianHeart504) December 5, 2025

Later, Davis explained that he involved himself much more in his community once he saw and understood God’s love for those who’ve been beaten down by life.

“I became a lot more community-oriented in college when my life changed,” he said. “Once I gave my life to Christ, it became more about living for something that was greater than myself. I had always been about the glory that I could get on the field, and once my life changed, it became, ‘How can I serve?’ Or, ‘How can I use the platform to impact the locker room and how can I use the game to impact the community?’”

For years, Davis has been one of the most outspoken followers of Christ in the NFL. He calls himself a “servant of Christ” on his X account and points to Christ frequently in interviews and press conferences. He has been known for his “Man of God” headband, faith-based celebrations, and eye black that references Bible verses.

During his most recent appearance on the Sports Spectrum Podcast in November 2024, Davis said all of the things he does to serve others and proclaim the Gospel stems from a heart that has been transformed by the love of Christ. It’s obedience to Him that impels Davis outward.

“It really wasn’t about all that extra stuff and going out and serving Jesus well with my life,” he said. “It was about loving Jesus well with my personhood, and just sitting before Him and sitting at His feet. … ‘Whatever You do with this platform — however great You make it — I’m gonna represent You.’”

Grounded in Christ, Davis will seek to continue to provide veteran leadership while anchoring an improving Saints defense. New Orleans will have an opportunity to win back-to-back games for the first time this season when the team faces another division rival, the Carolina Panthers (7-6), on Sunday. Kickoff is set for New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome at 4:25 p.m. ET.

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Saints’ Demario Davis among top 10 in tackles, ‘serving Jesus well’

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