Former Eagles safety Brian Dawkins named a NFL Hall of Fame semifinalist
Former Eagles safety Brian Dawkins has been named as a semifinalist for the NFL Hall of Fame once again.
Let’s clear up any thoughts to the contrary. Former Philadelphia Eagles free safety Brian Dawkins is deserving of a spot in the NFL Hall of Fame. He’s definitely just as deserving as quite a few of the men who are already there. If only every member of this proud franchise’s fan base had a vote.
For 16 seasons (13 in Philadelphia), Dawkins amassed a resume that most NFL athletes would kill for. 1,131 tackles, 26 sacks, 37 interceptions, and 36 forced fumbles are just part of the reason the number 20 has been etched in the minds and hearts of Eagles fans forever. The remaining reasons would, no doubt be the way he played the game and how he embodied everything a leader is supposed to be about. Dawkins wasn’t some free agent acquisition. He was a homegrown draft choice.
He’s a member of the Eagles Hall of Fame. His number 20 jersey is retired, and hopefully, this time around, he’ll have a spot in Canton, Ohio as well.
Hopefully, this time around, the result will be different.
Dawkins, one year ago, was a first-ballot selection and deservedly so. He’s one of 27 modern-era semifinalists, along with former Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens, and the next step is to dwindle that list down to 15 modern-era finalists in January.
Then, finally, the 2018 NFL Hall of Fame Class will be named on the eve of the Super Bowl.
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Dawkins and Owens were both finalists before being kept out almost one year ago, but some are still wondering how the final spot went, to of all things, a kicker. Still, if Dawkins is to work his way into football immortality, he’ll be compared to other athletes of his time. That’s where things might get tricky.
It will be hard enough to sway votes in his direction as someone who made his living playing in the secondary. Having to edge out names like Steve Atwater, John Lynch, LeRoy Butler, Ronde Barber, Ty Law, Everson Walls makes the task seem even more daunting. It’s highly unlikely that more than one cornerback or safety finds their way into the final members of the 2018 class.
Again, it would be nice if Eagles fans had a vote.