Vita Vea Is a Defensive Minimalist With Maximum N.F.L. Impact
The New York Times
Vita Vea excels at relocating very large humans on behalf of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense.
In an era where N.F.L. players coordinate their accessories to the smallest of details, Vita Vea stands out. Unlike his peers who adorn their arms with colorful sleeves or equip their helmets with tinted visors, the defensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers takes a minimalist approach.
On game days, Vea goes bare-armed and glove-less in battles against offensive linemen. At 6-foot-4 and 347 pounds, he uses his massive frame at will against guards and centers, shoving them behind the line of scrimmage into quarterbacks’ laps as if they were rag dolls.
“It just became a habit,” Vea said of the practice, which began with college teammates at Washington. “If I did wear gloves, I would just feel restricted.”
