Heartbreaking Hard Knocks clip of Vontae Davis' trade to the Colts resurfaces

A heartbreaking video showing Vontae Davis' trade to the Indianapolis Colts in 2012 has resurfaced on social media, as the late NFL cornerback's first thought was to call his grandma to give her the news, at the time. 

On Monday, just hours after Davis' death was publicly announced, a user on X, who goes by @boxingfan3333, shared a Hard Knocks episode of then-Miami Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland asking to chat with Davis one-on-one amid a trade on the cards with the Colts before the start to the 2012-13 season. 

Starting the conversation, Ireland confesses that the rumors are true, as he tells Davis: 'We just traded you. Ok? We traded you to the Indianapolis Colts. Alright? So, uhm... you ok?'

'Nah, I'm gonna call my grandma,' Davis immediately replied, as he seemed to be in shock. 

'You're gonna call you're grandmother?' asked Ireland, as he wanted to double-check what he just heard from Davis, before trying to reassure the player. 'Ok, this hasn't hit the papers or anything like that,' he added. 'What would this do? Why don't we do a little bit of business first before you call grandma, ok?

'There's a little bit of urgency because you got a storm coming,' Ireland further said before referring to the Colts: 'They probably want to get you on a plane here pretty quickly, Ok?

In attempt to provide reasons behind trading Davis, Ireland told the player: 'Now listen... you know Vontae, you're kinda up and down. You know, we gotta get toward a little small wave where the consistency level is more consistent, and before you become a great, which I think you have the ability to be, these waves have got to be  a lot smaller. 

'Ok? That's probably why you're being traded. I'm just trying to be transparent with you. I want you to know why it hasn't worked for us here. I think the world of you as a person and I appreciate you bustin' your a** here as a Miami Dolphins these last three years, and I know you'll do well.' 

'Thanks coach,' replied Davis before asking who he was traded to Indianapolis for. 

'Well... a couple of picks,' Ireland responded, as Davis appeared to be in disbelief over what he just heard. The Dolphins received a second round pick (54th overall) in the 2013 NFL Draft for Davis, only to include it in the trade to draft cornerback James Taylor that year. They were also supposed to receive a sixth round pick but Davis did not exceed more than 65 percent of the Colts' defensive snaps in 2012. 

Later on in the Hard Knocks video, Ireland tells Davis on his way out: 'Hey, listen. We've had some ups and downs, but everything is going to be positive. Alright? I want you to have a great career. Alright, man?

Right before Davis was about to twist the doorknob of his office, Ireland told the player: 'Hey, look, you can look at this in two ways, too. You know, it can be a very great positive for you. Alright? So, make it a positive, alright?'

Footage then shows Davis' locker being cleared out soon after Ireland broke the trade news to the former two-time Pro Bowler.

Commenting on the resurfaced video, a fan tweeted on Monday: 'Heartbreaking, his first thought was to call his grandmother.' Another pointed out: 'And he absolutely balled for the Colts in 2014.' A different user said: 'I'm thankful we got him. Absolute Stud.'

Davis played five seasons for the Colts from 2012 to 2017, registering eight combined tackled and a career-high five pass deflections in the Colts' AFC Divisional Round win against the Denver Broncos. Indianapolis went onto lose to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship round.  

Davis abruptly retired from the NFL in the middle of the Bills' second game of the 2018 season, as his teammates recalled a story about Davis removing himself from the game at halftime. 

He was found dead on Monday by his grandmother at his home in Southwest Ranches, Florida. He was 35. While the cause of death is unknown, police say foul play is not suspect, but they will continue with their investigation.