NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 18: Head Coach Doug Pederson of the Philadelphia Eagles on the sidelines during a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 18, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Eagles 48-7. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
For 13 of his 16 NFL seasons, Pro Football Hall of Famer, Brian Dawkins was the man at safety for the Philadelphia Eagles.
His leadership, hard hitting, charisma and ability to snag interceptions from opposing quarterbacks were all hallmarks during Dawkins’ career.
Currently serving the role of Executive of Football Operations for Player Development with the Eagles, apparently, Dawkins still has IT!
“He still could line up today, man and be in the box and make some plays for us,” current Philadelphia Eagles safety Rodney McLeod told me on Scoop B Radio.
“I mean you’ve seen clips of him, but the energy that he brings and his leadership qualities, those are the things that stand out to you. He’s a physical specimen.”
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 04: Jalen Mills #31, Rodney McLeod #23, and Malcolm Jenkins #27 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrate against the New England Patriots during the second quarter in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Indeed Dawkins was a premier safety. Weapon X recorded 778 tackles, 37 INTs, 26 quarterback sacks and 28 forced fumbles for the birds.
He’s been a great tutor to have around this facility and obviously, a motivator too,” said McLeod.
“Just looking at him every day out on the sidelines, knowing that you have a legend right there watching you each and every day and you have this opportunity to showcase your abilities, but also pick his brain a little bit; it’s very helpful. And so, that’s my motivation man, having him around, one to be somewhere close to him and things that he’s done for this team. And so, I’m going to continue to grow, continue to pick his brain, but Brian Dawkins, man is a heck of a player and a heck of a man too!”
Dawkins retired as a nine time NFL Pro Bowler, four time NFL first teamer, member of the NFL’s 2000s All-Decade Team, and was a member of the Philadelphia Eagles’ 75th Anniversary Team.