Even in retirement, Lavonte David can't escape the New Orleans Saints. The legendary Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker, known for his quiet dominance over 14 NFL seasons, recently sat down with former Saints left tackle Terron Armstead for an episode of The Set podcast. What came next was a rare glimpse into one of the NFL's most intense—and respectful—rivalries.

David, who intercepted 15 passes in his career, admitted that Saints quarterback Drew Brees was the one that got away. "You had to be on point on everything you do," David recalled. "Can't slip up, can't make no false steps. You had to damn near play a perfect game." For a linebacker who thrived in coverage, that challenge became an obsession. "Drew was the only quarterback in our division I didn't intercept. That was always a challenge for me."

The numbers back up the story. David picked off NFC South quarterbacks like Matt Ryan, Cam Newton, and Kirk Cousins, but Brees remained elusive. That frustration, however, fueled countless late-night film sessions. "Y'all boys kept me up at night sometimes, man," David said with a grin. "I definitely got better from it though."

No team faced the Bucs more often than the Saints—28 times over David's career—and no team handed him more losses (18). But those battles, David says, sharpened his game and helped him eventually lead Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl title. It's a reminder that even the fiercest rivalries can forge greatness. For fans who love the game's history, that respect between two all-time competitors is something worth celebrating—and wearing on your sleeve.