
It is time for another edition of Eagles Legends Spotlight. This one will feature one of the legendary free safeties in Eagles history, Brian Dawkins. Dawkins played for the Eagles for 13 years before becoming a Denver Bronco at the later end of his career. He went to college at Clemson University, where he played four years at the safety position from 1992 to 1995. After his career at Clemson, Dawkins got drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles at the 61st pick of the second round in the 1996 NFL Draft. This article will look back on the stats and career of Brian Dawkins.
Dawkins dominated at Clemson as he was a three-time All ACC player. Throughout his career in college, Dawkins racked up 247 tackles. He also had a total of 11 interceptions in his college career. One of these interceptions was returned for a touchdown in his 1995 season at Clemson. Dawkins was also number one in interceptions in the ACC Conference in 1995. His career was impressive at Clemson but he performed even better in the NFL.
Dawkins first season in the NFL went as smoothly as a rookie could want in the NFL. During the 1996 season, he had 74 combination tackles and 53 solo tackles. He also had three interceptions on top of those tackles. This was the start of an amazing Hall of Fame career for Brian Dawkins. Dawkins played well during his next two seasons, putting up similar numbers. In 1999, Dawkins made his first Pro Bowl appearance in the NFL. After that, he had a career high four interceptions. He also racked up 78 combination tackles and 58 solo tackles. In the 2001 season, Dawkins was named First Team All Pro and made his second Pro Bowl appearance in his career. He had two interceptions during that season. Dawkins also had 70 combination tackles and 58 solo tackles. The next season, Dawkins did the same and earned him another Pro Bowl and First Team All Pro accolades.
Photo courtesy of Ezra Shaw/Getty Images.
In the 2004 season, Dawkins and the Eagles made it to the Super Bowl. This Super Bowl would feature the Philadelphia Eagles vs. the New England Patriots. During that season, he had four interceptions, which tied his career high. He also had 70 combination tackles and 62 solo tackles. The Eagles would end up winning that Super Bowl that year and Dawkins would get a Super Bowl ring. Dawkins got even better after his Super Bowl season. In 2006, Dawkins had one of his better seasons tackling. He racked up 98 combination tackles and 76 solo tackles. Those were career highs during that time while he was a member of the Eagles. He also had four interceptions that year.
His last season as an Eagles came in 2008. He had one interception and three sacks on the year. He also had 75 combination tackles and 64 solo tackles during that season. Dawkins forced six fumbles that season, which really helped in the turnover department. He tied his career high in that category from his 1999 season.
Dawkins retired as an Eagles in 2012 after playing a few years in Denver. In the years following his retirement, he became a high school football coach. After his career as a high school coach, he became the Eagles scouting assistant in 2016. After a year at that position, he got promoted to football operations executive.He was inducted in the NFL Hall of Fame in 2018, which cemented his legacy as an NFL great. Dawkins would eventually leave the Eagles organization and become an inspirational leader. He created The Brian Dawkins Impact Foundation to help underprivileged people succeed in community’s. Dawkins will forever be known as one of the all-time great Eagles and great person outside of the NFL. This ends the Eagles Legends Spotlight: Brian Dawkins.
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