Antone Davis

Antone Davis
Born	(1967-02-28) February 28, 1967 Fort Valley, Georgia, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Professional football player (retired), restaurant proprietor and manager
Years active	1991–1997 (NFL)
Known for	Offensive tackle and guard in the National Football League (NFL)

Antone Eugene Davis (born February 28, 1967) is a retired professional football athlete who played primarily as an offensive tackle and guard in the National Football League (NFL) throughout the 1990s. After spending one year at Peach County High School in Fort Valley, Georgia, he attended the Tennessee Military Institute for a single season before securing a full scholarship to join the Tennessee Volunteers. Beginning as a left guard starter during his sophomore year in 1988, he transitioned to right offensive tackle in his junior season. Davis achieved unanimous All-American status and was a contender for the 1990 Outland Trophy. The Philadelphia Eagles selected him eighth overall in the 1991 NFL draft.

Davis’s tenure with the Eagles spanned five seasons, during which the team exchanged two first-round picks to acquire him. He started 15 games in his rookie year (1991), missing one due to being benched, and replicated this in 1992, missing a single game because of a knee sprain. In 1993, he was the starting right tackle for every game but was shifted to left guard in 1994 after the Eagles drafted tackle Bernard Williams. His performance at guard faltered, leading to him being benched for the final two games of that season. Beginning 1995 as a reserve, Davis started the last thirteen contests following injuries to teammates. Despite being branded a draft bust by Philadelphia supporters, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons in 1996 and played two seasons there. Upon retirement, he ventured into the food industry as a restaurant proprietor and manager. In 2011, Davis was the runner-up on season twelve of the reality competition The Biggest Loser.

Early life

Born and raised as the youngest among eight siblings in Fort Valley, Georgia, Davis attended Peach County High School. His father, Milton Trice, relocated from North Philadelphia to Georgia at age seventeen. During high school, Davis worked various jobs including cafeteria duties and struggled with attendance issues that led to being held back in ninth grade. Weighing roughly at fourteen years old, he initially could not participate in football due to academic shortcomings but improved sufficiently to play by his junior year.

College career

Davis’s collegiate football journey began with one season at Tennessee Military Institute, a prep school near Sweetwater, Tennessee, in 1986 before receiving a full scholarship to attend the University of Tennessee starting in 1987. Although anticipated to start at left guard in 1988 following key player graduations, an early ankle injury caused him to miss four games that season. He returned in 1989 as a right offensive tackle. In his senior year of 1990, Davis aided running back Tony Thompson in leading the Southeastern Conference (SEC) with 1,261 rushing yards.

As a final-year player, Davis was among the finalists for the prestigious Outland Trophy and earned unanimous selections to the All-America Team, receiving first-team honors from prominent organizations such as the Associated Press and Walter Camp Football Foundation. Additionally, he secured All-SEC recognition and was awarded the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the conference’s top blocker in January 1991. He also took part in the Hula Bowl on January 18, 1991.

Throughout his college tenure, Davis was honored with the University of Tennessee’s Chancellor Citation for his community service efforts, supporting initiatives like "Just Say No," the American Cancer Society, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. He completed his degree in urban studies by December 1990.

1991 season

At the NFL Scouting Combine in February 1991, Davis appeared weighing approximately , which was considered about overweight. He completed the 40-yard dash in 5.2 seconds but faced criticism due to concerns over his weight and inconsistent showings. He managed 26 reps on the bench press. Before the draft, analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. observed that although Davis had dropped slightly in rankings, he was still projected as a Top 10 selection. John Butler, who served as director of player personnel for the Buffalo Bills, described Davis as an ideal tackle prototype, highlighting his size and other attributes.

Davis was chosen eighth overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1991 NFL draft, just one slot after his former Tennessee teammate Charles McRae was picked by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This marked the NFL's first occurrence of two college teammates playing the same position being drafted consecutively. The Eagles traded up from the 19th pick with the Green Bay Packers to secure Davis, relinquishing that pick—used on cornerback Vinnie Clark—along with a first-round selection in the 1992 NFL draft. That future choice ultimately played a role in the Packers acquiring quarterback Brett Favre.

Following a 21-day holdout, Davis signed a provisional contract on August 5, 1991, valued at US$600,000 to participate in training camp while long-term terms were being negotiated. He made his preseason debut against the Bengals on August 10 and was anticipated to start at right offensive tackle for the upcoming season. On August 19, Davis sustained a sprained ankle that limited his preseason action. The Eagles finalized a five-year contract worth $4.6 million with him on September 6, after which he switched his jersey number from 77 to 78.

Davis demonstrated potential in week four versus the Steelers, delivering crucial blocks within a run-focused offense. Nonetheless, he faced difficulties early on, surrendering ten sacks across five games and allowing multiple sacks to Pro Bowl defensive end Charles Mann.

In week six against the Buccaneers, Davis was benched following three holding penalties but returned to play after an injury sidelined his replacement. Head coach Rich Kotite openly criticized Davis's performance. Subsequently, Ron Heller took over at right tackle while Daryle Smith was signed to handle left tackle responsibilities. After Smith suffered a groin injury, Davis resumed starting at right tackle in week nine against the 49ers, where he allowed two sacks but showed signs of improvement.

Davis started every remaining game at right tackle following his benching and received commendation from Kotite for his development. Upon completing his rookie year, he was named to the Pro Football Writers of America NFL All-Rookie Team.

1992 season

In his sophomore year with the Eagles, Davis demonstrated notable progress in his blocking abilities. At the onset of the 1992 training camp, he committed to steering clear of media interactions to concentrate solely on his development. During the season opener versus the New Orleans Saints, Davis played a role in helping the Eagles achieve the top rushing performance in the NFC with 186 yards. In week seven against the Washington Redskins, he sustained a knee sprain following a collision with quarterback Randall Cunningham. Marked as doubtful before the subsequent game against the Phoenix Cardinals, Davis did not participate. He was again listed as doubtful ahead of the week nine matchup against the Dallas Cowboys; however, team trainer Otho Davis remarked that Antone was not pursuing an aggressive enough rehabilitation for his knee. Two days before the game, his status was upgraded to questionable, and he started in the November 1 contest against Dallas.

During the wild card playoff clash with the Saints on January 3, 1993, Davis allowed a sack that resulted in Cunningham fumbling the ball. Over the course of the season, he started all 15 regular-season games he appeared in as well as both playoff contests. Pro Football Weekly ranked him as the 26th-best offensive tackle across the league that year.

1993 season

Throughout the early stages of the 1993 season, Davis played despite dealing with a shoulder injury. Defensive end Reggie White—who had recently joined the Green Bay Packers after eight seasons with Philadelphia and seven Pro Bowl nods—asserted that his presence had negatively impacted Davis’ confidence during his rookie and sophomore years, as they faced off regularly in practice sessions. White commented, "Some players get very discouraged because they can't block me. I believe that was occasionally true for Antone." Davis refuted White’s remarks during their Week 2 encounter. Associated Press journalist Dave Goldberg recognized Davis’ efforts by naming him to an "all-unsung" team for his performance against White. Throughout 1993, Davis started every game at right tackle for Philadelphia.

1994 season

After Philadelphia drafted offensive tackle Bernard Williams in the first round of the 1994 NFL Draft, Davis transitioned inside to left guard for that season. On November 27, during a Week 13 game against Atlanta, he was ejected along with Lester Holmes following an altercation involving defensive tackle Pierce Holt. Having committed seven penalties over fourteen starts, Davis was subsequently replaced by rookie Joe Panos prior to Week 16’s game against New York. He returned to action for the final two games of the year. Following this season, head coach Rich Kotite was dismissed.

1995 season

With Ray Rhodes taking over as head coach in 1995, Davis was shifted back to his original position at right tackle, which Rhodes identified as his optimal role on the team. On April 14, 1995, Philadelphia signed former Packer Joe Sims to compete for the starting right tackle spot alongside Davis. The Eagles reportedly attempted to trade Davis to improve their position in the first round of that year’s draft but were unable to find a taker. Due to left tackle Bernard Williams serving a six-game suspension, Sims moved over to left tackle while Davis remained at right tackle heading into preseason. Nevertheless, after underwhelming performances during training camp, Davis was benched prior to a preseason game against Pittsburgh in favor of Lester Holmes on August 24. Holmes sustained a knee injury in Week Two and Davis stepped back into the starting lineup for thirteen consecutive games plus two playoff appearances.

In Week Fourteen versus Seattle, Moe Elewonibi briefly replaced Davis to provide playing time for reserves. During the final regular-season game against Chicago, Davis allowed three sacks at the hands of Alonzo Spellman, bringing his total sacks allowed to seven over fourteen starts. He suffered a mild concussion after being kicked in the head during a wild card playoff matchup with Detroit and conceded two sacks against Tony Tolbert in a divisional playoff defeat by Dallas. Following this season—his rookie contract year earning him $1 million—Davis was broadly regarded as a draft disappointment despite being selected in the first round in 1991.

Later career

Following the conclusion of the 1995 season, Davis entered free agency without restrictions and attended a workout with the Atlanta Falcons in April 1996. Although initial negotiations stalled, he ultimately agreed to a two-year contract valued at $1.9 million in May, which included a $200,000 signing bonus, a $300,000 workout bonus, and potential incentives up to $300,000. He started the 1996 campaign as a reserve right tackle but was called upon to start multiple games due to teammate injuries. After David Richards was released in October, Davis secured the starting position. Toward the end of that season, he sustained a sprain to his right ankle.

In March 1997, the Falcons proposed a revised three-year contract for Davis, reportedly totaling $3 million. He was the starter for the first three games of the 1997 season but was subsequently replaced by Matt Willig and did not see further playing time that year. The team released him in February 1998.

Davis signed with the Green Bay Packers in January 1999, reuniting with coach Ray Rhodes; however, he was cut from the roster in June prior to the start of the season.

Throughout his seven seasons in the NFL, Davis participated in 97 games and was a starter in 87 of them, also recording one fumble recovery during the 1997 season.

After football

After retiring from professional football, Davis briefly owned a dining establishment named "Gridiron Grill" located in Clermont, Florida. He later took on management duties at a Chili's restaurant before joining the cast of The Biggest Loser in 2011. His participation was cut short when his employer required his immediate return to work following his temporary absence.

Davis appeared on the twelfth season of The Biggest Loser, which aired between September and December 2011. Battling weight challenges after his football career ended, he weighed before entering the competition. Inspired by the passing of former teammates from weight-related health issues, Davis began the show weighing and ultimately lost , finishing as runner-up with a total weight reduction of 45.19%.

On August 28, 2012, Davis was appointed as the Vol for Life (VFL) Coordinator for the University of Tennessee’s football program. He stepped down from this position in October 2017 and resided in Murfreesboro, Tennessee during this period.

After departing Tennessee, Davis moved to Delaware to join JPMorgan Chase, where he worked alongside his wife. His eldest son, Dakota, played offensive line for the Chattanooga Mocs football team until concussions prematurely ended his playing career. His younger son, Braden, was a highly sought-after quarterback at Middletown High School and Lake Minneola High School, committing to play collegiate football for South Carolina in April 2021. Following the conclusion of the 2022 season, Braden entered the NCAA transfer portal and transferred to Syracuse in May 2023.