Davi Belfort’s football journey started quite early at 7 when he moved to Las Vegas from Florida. His early career saw him lining up as a linebacker and a running back. However, after a few years of indulging in the game as an interest, he started taking it seriously when he turned 13. All that position-hopping went away, and he asked his parents to hire a private course to help him learn the quarterback position.

Speaking to the New York Times, he said, “I had a decent arm because I played baseball when I was younger, but everything at quarterback for me kind of started from scratch.” He believes that his baseball experience has helped him with throwing mechanics but quickly realized that playing as a quarterback requires different skills compared to baseball, and he appreciates his parents’ efforts to hire a personal coach for him.

Davi committed to the Virginia Tech Hokies in 2024, and after his joining, it is expected that he will be the first Brazilian-born quarterback to join a Power 5 program. He is a versatile athlete who has served as a three-time team captain and earned All-City, All-Conference, and All-Region honors thrice. During his senior season, he was selected to the all-state team after completing 3115 total yards and scoring 34 touchdowns. During his junior year at Miami’s Gulliver Prep, he appeared only in 7 games, but he completed 66% of his passes, totaling 2358 yards and scoring 16 touchdowns. He is among very few players whose talent is showcased in prestigious events like the FBU Freshman All-American Bowl and the Under Armour All-American Bowl.

If you feel Davi’s last name is familiar, you are right; he is the son of a popular Brazilian martial artist, Vitor Belfort. Vitor started making a name for himself when he was 19; he became the youngest tournament winner in UFC history in 1997. Vitor’s career showing him going face-to-face with some pretty big names like Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture and Tito Ortiz. He even boxed Evander Holyfield in an exhibition match two years ago.

Naturally, Davi wasn’t oblivious to MMA. He often trained with her father and other MMA fighters. But, that didn’t mean that he’d choose the sports. His ultimate love remained football.

The quarterback’s biggest inspiration is his father. Growing around his father has not only helped him quickly develop his skills on the field, but it has also helped him to stand out as a talented quarterback. His mother, Joana Prado, is also a known personality. Let’s get to know more about the Davi Belfort’s parents.

Who Are Joana Prado and Vitor Belfort?

Vitor’s mother is a former model and successful businesswoman. She started her modeling career when she was in college. The couple met in 2000, but they broke up after dating for a while. Fortunately, their love story started again in 2002 when they met on a reality show. They are parents to three children. The oldest son studies at the University of Alabama on a football scholarship.

Vitor became more famous in the martial arts world when he accepted a challenge in a tournament with no weight limit. Although it was a very risky decision, he fought twice that night and became the youngest champion ever. Known for his fast hands and incredible power, Vitor earned the nickname “The Phenom.”

Complementing his father, Davi said, “I remember watching my dad prepare for the biggest fights of his life, and it taught me so much as far as preparation.”

“One thing I look up to about my dad is he loves the grind, and I truly believe to be great at something, you have to love the preparation, those nights where you’re working hard and it’s you versus yourself. That’s what makes you great.” Davi’s admiration for his father’s work ethic is evident in his statement. The quarterback has recognized early in his athletic career that sports require dedication and resonance like his father.

Joana Prado and Vitor are successful individuals. Despite their busy schedule, the couple makes sure to give quality time to all their three children.

If you want to learn more about college football, do watch this ES Think Tank podcast interview with Doug Sanders.