Demario Davis
LINEBACKER
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Demonstrates Excellence on The Field
Since signing with New Orleans in 2018, Demario Davis made an instant impact to the defense and team as a whole, and he was immediately voted as a Team Captain. Before each game, he motivates his teammates by co-leading a highly energized team huddle. The dependable and sure-tackling defender led the Saints in stops for the second straight season and was selected as an AP first-team All-Pro for the first time in 2019, posting 111 tackles, four sacks, an interception and a career-high 12 passes defensed. For his career (through 8 games in 2020), the Brandon, MS native has appeared in 136 games - with 122 starts for the Saints , Jets (2012-15, 2017), and Cleveland Browns (2016), recording 806 tackles (535 solo), 24.5 sacks, two interceptions, 31 passes defensed, three forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries and 24 special team stops. Through eight games in the 2020 season, he has cumulated 47 tackles, 2 sacks, and two passes defended.
Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts this Year
As the Saints Man of the Year, Demario proudly boasts the love he has for his wife Tamela, his four children, and the depth of his Christian faith. He often references a Bible verse that reminds us to remain humble in all that we do. However, another Bible verse is particularly fitting for Davis, "Whatsoever you do to the least of My brothers, that you do unto Me."
One of Demario's core values is being a voice for social justice and helping to provide opportunities for others to achieve greatness who may not be able to do so alone. His Devoted Dreamers Foundation was created to equip the next generation of leaders with the tools to be successful spiritually, mentally and physically. Guidelines due to COVID-19 has caused some of Demario's activations to pivot from the norm this year, yet his engagement did not cease. He hosted virtual mentorship events with his 7x7 football teams. He also hosted his Devoted Dreamers Encounter Conference, Go On Girl Conference, and P.E.A.R.L.S. for Girls virtual event with his wife. Demario also formed a new partnership with The Piney Woods School, the country's largest historically Black boarding school, to promote equity and varying opportunities for the children.
Demario embarked upon a social justice tour listening tour of Atlanta, DC, Buffalo, Minneapolis, LA in five days in June 2020 and recently released an Op-Ed in Newsweek on Police Reform. He is infamous for wearing his Man of God masks and bandanas and currently, a portion of the profits from its sales will benefit the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery.
Demario was also a featured panelist with the Justice Collaborative on Mississippi's prison crisis, at American Psychological Association virtual convention, and on the NAACP Panel for Sports unlimited. Along with the American Civil Liberties Union in in New Orleans, Demario hosted a drive-in screening of the "Good Trouble" documentary featuring John Lewis. He was also instrumental in the team's/NFL's Voting Campaign initiative and was featured in supporting PSAs as well.
Most recently, Demario has embarked upon a new fundraising campaign for Vanderbilt Children's Hospital supporting Retinoblastoma research in honor of his daughter, Carly-Faith, who was diagnosed with the condition.
As a United Way Brand Ambassador, he often lends his voice to speak about passionate causes and recently provided a matching donation to United Way's Hospitality Cares Pandemic Response Fund, which offers crisis grants to hospitality workers in need. Davis was also selected as 2020 Court Watch NOLA Honoree as well.
Demario was one of the key players to spearhead the Saints players' team initiative this season, #SAYHERNAME campaign, which brings light to the Black women who have been victims of police brutality as well as the plights Black women may face in everyday life.
Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past
Demario Davis is always ready and willing to assist the team in any community efforts in addition to supporting his fellow teammates' charitable endeavors.
He previously co-hosted a Listen & Learn event with the Orleans Public Defenders as well as Town Hall events, which led 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 Demario's op-ed, he helped to bring awareness to the issue and the law was ultimately changed.
In the past, Demario gifted a handicapped accessible van for the family of a teenager who was injured after a shooting; partnered with the United Way to visit and help raise money for those affected by the Flint, Michigan water crisis; made donations and visits to the Rooted School in New Orleans; organized a "Man of God" school visit with donated headbands and a pizza party for students; distributed Christmas gifts to underprivileged children on with Fore Kids Foundation; and participated in the Saints Hall of Fame Golf Tournament and the Willie Colon Alliance for Lupus Research (ALR) Golf Outing, benefiting the ALR Jean Davis Research Grant.
Demario also hosts annual youth summer camps for middle school youth in Jackson, Mississippi as well as sponsoring his own 7x7 team in Central Mississippi through his Devoted Dreamers Foundation.
In 2018, Demario received the Athletes in Action Call To Courage Award, which honors an NFL Player who displays exemplary character and leadership and a strong commitment to Christian Faith.
Demonstrates Consistency in Positive Character and Models a Lifestyle of Giving Back
Demario Davis remains humble and continues to motivate and uplift others. He is a devout Christian, dedicated husband, father, son, teammate, and is simply a good human living on this earth.
Beyond just talking about a problem or an issue, Demario takes the time to truly analyze a situation to understand the issues that may exist, empathize with others by seeking to understand their perspective, and then develops a coherent plan to take action using the resources around him to make an impactful change. He displays consistent efforts to be great and helps others to achieve greatness, whether preparing to face and opponent or motivating them on the field, Demario Davis leads the charge.
