Brian Dawkins: One day away from pro football immortality
“Weapon X” is, hopefully, one day away from football immortality and a spot in Canton.
Sometimes, you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. At other times, you’re completely aware of what you’re missing. Former Philadelphia Eagles safety Brian Dawkins spent more time in “The City of Brotherly Love” than any other athlete ever spent as a member of one of the city’s sports franchises. From 1996-2008, he played his heart out and wore it on his sleeve, endearing him to fans and teammates. He’d spend the remainder of his playing days with the Denver Broncos, but he returned to his roots to sign a one-day contract, allowing him to retire as a member of the Eagles.
February 4th has a chance of being a very special day for him and for Eagles fans.
The NFL will announce its’ next Hall of Fame class one day before the Super Bowl, and anyone that’s ever watched him play will be patiently waiting to see him take the stage. He’ll be waiting to see if his name called, much like the rest of us, and he takes with him a resume that would make any NFL great jealous.
More from Inside the Iggles
- Eagles captains earn high praise on roster blending veteran leadership, youth
- How former Eagles star Cre’Von LeBlanc helped Renegades upstage Cowboys
- Eagles 2023 schedule: Every WR duo Darius Slay, James Bradberry will battle
- Imagining better names for Jason Kelce’s Good Guy Award
- Bold predictions for the Philadelphia Eagles offense in 2023
The numbers speak for themselves. Dawkins, for his career, totaled 1,131 takles, 26 sacks (from the safety position) and 37 interceptions. Add 28 forced fumbles and being able to find the end zone three times, and you have one of the most versatile players to ever play on defense.
He’s a nine-time Pro Bowler. He’s a four-time First-team All Pro, but what he truly meant to the Eagles can’t be measured in statistics. No one playing for the Eagles will ever wear the number 20 again. As we mentioned before, some people seem to mean more when they’re gone, but when Dawkins left, he left a void the Eagles struggled to fill for well over ten years.
Only time will tell if they ever find a way to add another piece as valuable, as respected or as talented as this one.
Check out this video tribute:
Now, if that doesn’t get you going, you don’t have a pulse. We at Inside The Iggles salute Brian Dawkins and wish him luck. Regardless of what happens tomorrow, he’s a member of our Hall of Fame forever.