Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David announced his retirement Tuesday after spending his entire 14-year career with the franchise.

David, 36, was a 12-time team captain and Super Bowl LV champion who tied Derrick Brooks’ team record with 1,714 career tackles.

“It’s time,” David told Sports Illustrated. “I’ve been playing football since I was 6 years old. Thirty years straight of football. I never missed a year. A lot of time, man. When it’s time, when you know, you know. I always wanted to be a guy who wanted to retire on my own terms. Right now is the perfect opportunity for that. I give glory to God for me to be able to play football for this long.

“For me, man, 14 years (in the NFL) is enough. I’m comfortable with my decision. I’m satisfied with my career. When I first got into the league, I never, never, ever in a million years expected to play 14 years at a high level for the same organization. And it’s something that doesn’t come around often. I think it’s time that I hang it up and let the next generation of players come in and take over the game.”

David is also the Bucs’ all-time leader in tackles for loss (177), forced fumbles (33) and fumble recoveries (21) and ranks third in games played and started (215).

“For the past 14 seasons, Lavonte David has personified what it means to be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. He was a selfless leader both on and off the field, playing with passion and a genuine love for the game. He leaves a legacy as a Super Bowl champion and one of the greatest players in franchise history, setting a standard that will continue to impact our organization for years to come,” said a statement from the Glazer family, owners of the Buccaneers. “Today, we celebrate Lavonte’s legendary career as one of the most accomplished players of his era and thank him for the many memorable moments he provided our fans. Beyond the statistics and accolades, he will be remembered throughout Tampa Bay for his humble demeanor and strong commitment to our community. We wish him well on his journey after football and look forward to honoring his Hall of Fame-worthy achievements in the near future.”

David recorded 114 tackles, 3.5 sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries while starting all 17 games last season. It was his 12th season with triple-digit tackles.

“Lavonte’s mark on our franchise could never be overstated,” Bucs general manager Jason Licht said. “For the entirety of his 14-year career, Lavonte set the standard for professionalism, leadership, and consistency. He embodies everything that it means to be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer and he is undoubtedly one of the best players to ever put on this uniform. His contributions to our franchise, to his teammates and to this community will leave an impact far beyond his playing years.”

An All-Pro selection in 2013 and a Pro Bowl selection in 2015, David tallied 42.5 sacks and 14 interceptions since being selected in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Nebraska.

“Before I came to the Buccaneers, I always had immense respect for Lavonte as a special football player,” said Bucs head coach Todd Bowles. “Having had the fortune to coach him for the last seven seasons, I have also experienced the special person and leader he is. He has been the heart and soul of our defense and a Super Bowl champion on the way to being an eventual Hall of Famer. There isn’t anyone more respected by his teammates, and that respect extends to his peers and opposing coaches throughout the league. I, as well as everyone in this organization, will miss him tremendously.”

–Field Level Media

Tampa Bay Rays starter Ryan Pepiot will begin the season on the injured list with right hip inflammation, manager Kevin Cash confirmed Tuesday.

The 28-year-old right-hander had been scheduled to start Tuesday’s spring finale against the Atlanta Braves. Pepiot made three starts in spring training, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits in 10 innings while striking out seven and issuing nine walks.

Pepiot will receive an injection to alleviate discomfort in his hip and is not expected to miss a significant amount of time, per MLB.com.

Pepiot was 11-12 with a 3.86 ERA in 31 starts last season for the Rays. He is 24-21 with a 3.54 ERA in 74 career games (67 starts) with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2022-23) and Rays. He has struck out 389 batters and walked 141 in 376 innings.

Tampa Bay visits the St. Louis Cardinals for Opening Day on Thursday.

With Pepiot on the IL, the Rays’ rotation to start the season will feature Drew Rasmussen, Joe Boyle, Steven Matz, Nick Martinez and Shane McClanahan.

–Field Level Media

Jerrod Calhoun has agreed to a six-year contract to return to his alma mater Cincinnati as head basketball coach, the university announced Tuesday.

The contract, pending board approval, will pay him $3.7 million in the first year with an annual raise of $100,000, per the school. Calhoun, who graduated from Cincinnati in 2004, is leaving Utah State, which will be owed nearly $3.9 million per his contract, ESPN reported.

The 44-year-old Ohio native leaves behind a Utah State program that he coached to an impressive 55-15 record over two seasons. The Aggies made the NCAA Tournament and held an AP Top 25 ranking for at least one week in each season under Calhoun.

No. 9 seed Utah State (29-7) defeated No. 8 Villanova in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday before falling to top seed Arizona 78-66 on Sunday.

Calhoun replaces Wes Miller, whom Cincinnati bought out after five years as its head coach with no trips to the NCAA Tournament. Miller was hired Monday as Charlotte’s new coach.

“It is a tremendous honor to have the opportunity to lead the Bearcats’ program — one that I know intimately as an alum and hold in the highest regard,” Calhoun said in a statement. “I am deeply grateful to (athletic director) John Cunningham and President Neville Pinto for their trust and confidence in me to elevate this program and guide our student-athletes as we pursue championships. Our goal is to build a program that consistently makes Bearcats fans proud, both on and off the court. Sarah, our children and I are excited to get to work at a place that means so much to our family.”

He served as a student assistant at Cincinnati under Bob Huggins in 2003-04. Calhoun worked under Huggins again on the staff at West Virginia (2007-12) before becoming a head coach for the first time. He has held the main job at Division II Fairmont State (2012-17), Youngstown State (2017-24) and Utah State.

Calhoun was the 2026 Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year after the team won the regular-season and tournament championships. Also the 2023 Horizon League Coach of the Year, Calhoun has nine 20-win seasons as a head coach and has been a conference champion in three different leagues on his way to a 297-159 career record, including 173-121 in Division I.

“Jerrod is a tireless worker, has an incredible passion and talent for developing not just players, but people, and has won at every stop along the way,” Cunningham said. “He’s one of the best offensive minds in college basketball and has the pedigree to take Cincinnati basketball to the next level in the Big 12 and nationally. I’m looking forward to welcoming his wife, Sarah, and children, Jordan, Kennedy, Kendall and Quinn to the Cincinnati family.”

–Field Level Media