Demario Davis
A defensive leader whose profound faith and relentless play transformed him into the heart and soul of the New Orleans Saints' linebacker corps.
Born 1989 (age 37)·American football player·Birthday: January 11·Millennials
Biography
Demario Davis entered the NFL as a third-round pick for the New York Jets in 2012. The linebacker, born in 1989, evolved into a defensive captain with the New Orleans Saints, combining sideline-to-sideline speed with a fierce intelligence for diagnosing plays. Off the field, he wore 'Man of God' headbands and spoke openly about his Christian faith and social activism. After a stint with Cleveland, he returned to the Jets as a veteran leader. Davis's impact is measured in tackles and stops, but also in the respect he commands as a player who integrates his principles with his profession.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Demario was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Demario Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Demario's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Named a First-Team All-Pro for the 2019 season after recording 111 tackles and 4 sacks for the New Orleans Saints.
- Received the NFLPA Alan Page Community Award in 2023 for his outstanding leadership and charitable work.
- Has recorded over 100 combined tackles in nine consecutive seasons from 2015 to 2023.
Did You Know?
He and his wife, Tamela, founded the Devoted Dreamers Academy, a non-profit focused on youth development.
He is an ordained minister.
He led the NFL in combined tackles in the 2017 season with 135 while playing for the Cleveland Browns.
“My purpose is bigger than football. Football is just the platform.”
