Demario Davis
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
| Position | College | Years in the NFL |
|---|---|---|
| Linebacker | Arkansas State | 14 |
Excellence on the Field:
Since signing with New Orleans in 2018, Davis has made an instant impact on the defense and team as a whole, serving as a team captain in all eight seasons with the team. In 2024, he led the Saints in stops for the seventh straight season, posting a team-high 136 tackles, reaching the 100-stop mark in his eighth straight season as a professional and in 11 of 13 campaigns. Thus far in his career, the Brandon, Mississippi native has missed only two games and played in 220 regular season contests with the Saints (started in all games), Jets (2012-15, 2017), and Cleveland Browns (2016) recording 1,485 tackles (929 solo), 44.5 sacks, four interceptions, 62 pass breakups, six forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries and over 20 special team stops to date. Davis is one of only three active players with at least 1,450 career stops and is the only player with 500+ tackles and 20+ sacks in the last five years. Throughout his career, Davis has been selected for several honors over multiple years, including Associated Press Second-Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl, PFWA All-NFC, NFL Way to Play Award, and recognized as an NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts This Year:
Davis' constant engagement in the community includes programming through his Devoted Dreamers Foundation, team events, area non-profits, and local schools/youth development groups, as well as in-kind and monetary support to charitable organizations. A Community Champion of the Super Bowl LIX Host Committee, Davis participated in almost 30 events and gifted Super Bowl tickets to deserving individuals of local non-profits. He provides gameday experiences to youth by donating his suite at Saints home games and engages with them post-game during on-field meet & greets. Mentoring the next generation is a major component of his charitable efforts. Davis hosted a 5-month Saturday Mentoring series through his foundation to develop athletic abilities, character, mindset, leadership skills, and financial literacy. His Leadership Program targets young leaders (16-24yrs.), connects them with professionals in the sports industry, and equips them with tools they need to succeed by focusing on workforce development, servant leadership, and equity. Alongside his wife, Tamela, Davis will host a Dinner with the Davises: Carnival Day event for 300 kids of the Boys & Girls Club along with their families to inspire, uplift, and remind every child of their limitless potential. He co-chairs the Covenant House New Orleans' Sleep Out to promote the importance of raising awareness around homelessness issues for children. Davis donates to meals to local high school football teams and local food pantries and will also host local food drives and prepare Thanksgiving baskets for families in need. Davis provides micro grants to eight small, locally-owned businesses through his Fueling Dreams Campaign, to equip local entrepreneurs with valuable opportunities for exposure and growth. As a major advocate of youth football, Davis regularly supports efforts of the Saints Girls High School Flag Football program as an honorary captain, sideline reporter, and mentor. He is a Global Flag Football Ambassador for both the NFL and the Saints, leading football clinics with the Saints in France. Additional highlights include Scholarships through his P.E.A.R.L.S. program, Summer Camp/Family Day sponsor at Mission First in Mississippi, Book Fairs and Literacy Visits, Big Brothers Big Sisters supporter, PSAs encouraging families of pediatric cancer patients with Ochsner Health System, Night Out Against Crime supporting children impacted by gun violence. Among many other activations throughout the Gulf South Region, he leads activations in Nashville supporting B.E. Academy, a PAL summer camp program, and Nashville's Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition. Davis plans to host multiple Christmas events as well.
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past:
Davis has consistently been recognized, appreciated, and admired for the impact he has made in his community. He has received multiple awards and honors for his community service including being named as the Saints Man of the Year Nominee (twice previously), Bart Star Award, Alexis de Tocqueville Award (United Way of Southeastern Louisiana), Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame Jimmy Collins Award (Allstate Sugar Bowl), and Athletes in Action Call to Courage Award. His work to make a tangible difference in the futures of youth in New Orleans and the Gulf South Region through the creation of his Devoted Dreamers Academy has remained at the core of his efforts. Davis has hosted mentorship events with his 7on7 football teams and led his Devoted Dreamers Encounter Conference, Go On Girl Conference, and P.E.A.R.L.S. for Girls events along with his wife, Tamela. Davis hosted youth-focused/student-athlete gun-violence forums to address the issues related to gun violence with Players Coalition, Hope Initiative, Greater New Orleans, Inc., and New Orleans Strategic Business Alliance. He also led a team-wide #SAYHERNAME effort to bring light to the Black women who have been victims of police brutality and plights Black women may face every day. He previously co-hosted Listen & Learn events with the Orleans Public Defender and wrote an op-ed on police reform leading to the team's support of related efforts including support for re-entry programs and career development opportunities for minorities practicing law. Louisiana was one of only two states where someone could be convicted of a felony without a unanimous jury verdict and with another op-ed by Davis, he helped to bring awareness to the issue, and the law was ultimately changed. Davis is frequently a featured panelist, sharing his perspective and insight on various topics at many community events. Other past engagements include (but are not limited to): co-founding S.H.I.E.L.D. 1 with a mission to accelerate economic mobility in under-resourced communities by increasing capacity and creating opportunity to be self-sufficient (gifted a van to the family of a gunshot victim teenager); partnering with the United Way to support those affected by Hurricane Ida and Flint water crisis; donations/visits to local schools; providing Christmas gifts to underserved children; supporting the ALR Jean Davis Research Grant; and providing funding toward Retinoblastoma research in honor of his daughter, Carly-Faith. He has also been recognized as a Court Watch NOLA Honoree, United Way Ambassador, and The 18th Ward Ambassador.
Positive Character & a Lifestyle of Giving Back:
Simply put, Davis is an incredible human being who believes that everyone deserves a chance to reconnect with the flame inside of them. He remains humble and continues to motivate and uplift others as a devout Christian, dedicated husband, father, son, and teammate. Davis is a servant leader who is intentional with his impact in his community and works to build true connections with the people he serves. It is his mission of "fueling dreams" (along with his wife, Tamela) through a calling that is deeply rooted in their lived experiences, their faith, and their profound love for people. With every story, every handshake, every testimony of resilience, Davis realized that God was calling him to ignite the dreams of everyone whether adults, elders, young professionals, creatives, educators, parents, newcomers, and anyone else who should be reminded that they, too, are allowed to dream boldly. He enthusiastically creates intentional pathways that reach every imaginable individual with love, grace, impact, and encouragement; reminds people to keep dreaming and to dream bigger; helps them find community, purpose, and belonging along the way; and champions dreams that uplift families, strengthen neighborhoods, and transform generations. Davis has often stated that: "Our greatest legacy is not measured by what we build for the world, but by what we nurture and inspire within the hearts of people. As a family, we are devoted to fueling dreams, lifting others, and leaving every place — and every person — better than we found them. This is the impact we hope our lives will echo for generations." In short, Davis knows that he has been called to serve a purpose in life that is far superior to simply being a great athlete and continues to be a vessel of positive influence, change, and support for his community members and the world.
