All-Pro Davis not planning retirement: 'I still have a passion for this game'

It's been five healthy seasons for Thomas Davis since suffering three torn ACLs in three years, and the Carolina Panthers linebacker doesn't want to ruin his streak.

Davis, 33, has been playing at an elite level in the latter years of his career, being named to Pro Bowl appearances in each of the last two seasons along with All-Pro honors in 2013 and 2015. While his former teammate Steve Smith announced his likely retirement this week, the veteran defender doesn't plan on joining him soon.

"I'm still under contract (through 2017), and my plan is to finish out my contractual obligations," said Davis. "Not 89 percent like Smitty."

The 2014 Walter Payton NFL Man of Year has spent his entire career with the Panthers, who selected him 14th overall in 2005. Davis has seemed to improve with age, registering at least 100 tackles every year since 2012, and doesn't feel now is the time to call it quits.

"When you hit 12 years, been playing this game for that long and you're 33 years old, people start to wonder," said Davis. "But I still have a passion for this game. I still have a desire to play. I'm just going to leave it at that."