Vernon Davis bounds into the locker room and grabs a bottle of water from the refrigerator. After more than 90 minutes on the practice field, the 33-year-old Washington Redskins tight end is peppy. He is a threat to break into song.
Davis is the oldest active player on a team that gets younger every year, but he could pass for 28 despite being among puppies. On Thursday, Coach Jay Gruden asked Davis what he had for lunch before declaring, “We all should get on Vernon Davis’s diet.” His teammates often request his secret, and Davis begins his sermon with a simple answer: “Just take care of your body, man.” Then he starts talking about amino acids, and their eyes roll.
He sips from the fountain of youth daily by exhibiting diligence about wellness, but his methods are so simple and meticulous — for a professional athlete, at least — that many overlook routine and consider it magic.
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“The guy’s a freak,” Gruden said. “He’s the most impressive guy I’ve been around, really, as far as taking care of his body. And whatever he’s doing, he needs to tell all our young guys to do it because he’s amazing. Just out here today, he’s running around like a 20-year-old kid. His diet is top-notch. His workouts are on point, not to mention he prepares, and he’s always got a smile on his face. He’s just one of those guys you look forward to seeing every day, and then you watch him practice, and it’s always hard and effective.”
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who is thriving at 40, often is hailed as the league’s youngest old man and praised for his crazy, strict diet. But there are other ageless idols in the NFL, and Davis belongs high on that list. He already has lasted into his 12th season playing one of the sport’s most taxing positions, using his 6-foot-3, 244-pound frame to block like an offensive lineman on one play and then utilizing his extraordinary speed to separate from defenders on the next. While it is a stretch to suggest Davis’s skills haven’t diminished — he is a No. 2 tight end after spending most of his career as the man in San Francisco — he has avoided serious decline. After 167 games, 511 receptions and 6,495 receiving yards, it’s impressive to see how much he has left.
You witnessed it last week in Washington’s 27-10 thumping of Oakland. With Jordan Reed injured, Davis caught five passes for 58 yards and looked like one of the most dangerous players on the field. His 18-yard touchdown catch in the back of the end zone was beautiful. The speed he displayed on a 26-yard reception was stunning. And he also threw some Reed-esque moves into the performance, juking Oakland cornerback T.J. Carrie so badly that the defender stumbled for five yards and took out linebacker Cory James.
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Davis can’t remember when he was last timed running a 40-yard dash, but here’s guessing that he is not significantly slower than the 4.38 seconds that he posted during the 2006 NFL Scouting Combine. After all the mileage, it’s stunning to see him moving so well.
He gets nagging injuries throughout a season, but he doesn’t spend much time on the injury report. He has missed six games since the start of the 2007 season. Right now, he can skip through just about any training session.
“I feel better now than I felt when I first walked into the league,” Davis said. “I feel great, amazing. I mean, going out to practice is easy for me. It’s easier than it’s ever been. I can come in here, and it only takes me three minutes to get dressed and go outside. I don’t have to do much. Just grab my helmet, grab my cleats, and I’m ready to go.”
What’s his secret? Davis doesn’t have a story that involves a midcareer epiphany about taking care of his body. He is a clean eater, but he doesn’t consume avocado ice cream as a “treat” like Brady does. He even allows himself to cheat with guilty pleasures like brownies and cookies. Davis’s big advantage is that he has been disciplined for most of his life. He entered the NFL with an approach, and he has only improved it through the years.
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His offseason routine is consistent. He takes off a month and then trains four or five days a week for about three hours daily. During most weeks of the year, he gets three massages and visits the chiropractor twice. He is intentional about everything he puts into his body; no eating something because it is just there. For supplements, he has an endorsement deal with MuscleTech, and he is conscientious about what he takes and why he takes it.
Former San Francisco coach Mike Nolan noticed Davis’s approach during his rookie season in 2006 and told the young player, “The older you get, the better you’re going to get.” Davis didn’t understand what Nolan meant then. He was a 22-year-old fresh out of Maryland, trying to prove deserving of the sixth overall pick. Now that he is a healthy veteran still learning new tricks, he gets it.
He grins when people marvel at his stone-chiseled physique. He likes the compliment, but he would rather you understand something more important: He is a 33-year-old wonder because of years of good habits.
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“As human beings, we’re always looking for that initial effect, right?” Davis said. “We want that initial impact right then, right now. But sometimes, just like anything else, you have to do it over time. You have to do it for a long period of time. Like, maybe taking fish oils. People can’t really see the difference, but over time, you’ll benefit from it. So that’s kind of how it is when it comes to taking care of your body, consuming proper nutrients that you need, having a healthy, active lifestyle. You have to just go from there, one day at a time.”
After practice Friday, Davis talked to running back Mack Brown, who is 26.
“Have you had your amino acids?” Davis asked.
Brown pretended to look around.
“Your protein? Are you refueling your body with the proper protein?” Davis asked.
The two laughed. It’s a regular conversation.
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“I’m going to stay on you about this,” Davis said.
“I know,” Brown said.
Davis figures Brown will learn in time.
If Brown craves longevity, he should comprehend the lessons as soon as possible. The tight end won’t be around forever to remind him, not that we’re willing to put an expiration date on the ageless one.
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