Brian Dawkins: The Ultimate Eagle
Three months ago, Brian Dawkins announced his retirement from the NFL. The greatest Eagle of the past two decades, and one of the most popular players in franchise history, signed a one-day contract to officially retire as an Eagle.
The symbolic gesture is great for the team, for Dawkins, and for the fans. Letting Dawkins go as a free agent after the 2008 season was an egregious miscalculation that alienated fans. The retirement ceremony should serve as a balm for this untreated wound, although nothing can erase the ugly chapter that was Dawkins' unceremonious exit from the franchise.
The decision to cut ties with longest-tenured (at the time) Eagle had less to do with his production between the lines than with his stature in the locker room and the community.
The Eagles had developed an unfortunate reputation as being ruthlessly calculating in personnel evaluation. Their philosophy of efficiency—always paying for what a player could do in the future, giving no weight to what he had done or had meant to the franchise in the past—is fiscally sound. But Dawkins should have been the exception.
The DB had earned his seventh Pro Bowl selection in 2008 at the time of his release; the fact that he earned his eighth with the Denver Broncos in 2009 made the pill even more bitter.
Fans have to hope that releasing Dawkins was Joe Banner's lapse in judgment. Clearly, with Andy Reid in charge, the Eagles have put more emphasis on rewarding good soldiers and team leaders. And there was never a better soldier or leader than Brian Dawkins.
A soft-spoken, deeply spiritual family man, the player who called himself "Weapon X" after his favorite comic book character, Wolverine, could flip a switch at game time.
His transformation into Weapon X, or “idiot man,” another of his alter egos, began when he put on his uniform, which he called his armor. It culminated when he entered the field for introductions, in various inspirational ways.
Other athletes who assume these identities, like the Redskins' Clinton Portis, or Chad Johnson/Ochocinco, can seem childish and cartoonish. Dawkins transcended that by channeling the power of his persona on the field, and remaining a gentleman off it.
Anyone seeing #20 burst through the Eagles banner at game time, flexing his incomparable biceps, screaming wildly and mimicking the aforementioned Wolverine, immediately dispelled the notion that his game face was anything less than genuine.
Dawkins' emotions managed to capture the feelings in the stands. One time when he crawled onto the field, it appeared as though he was vibrating from within. Those reverberations filled the stadium, sending the crowd of 65,000 into a frenzy.
Once the game started, Dawkins legitimized his pregame histrionics with controlled fury, delivering bone-crushing hits, putting his helmet on the ball, or snapping up an interception.
His intense play on the field commanded the respect of every player in the locker room. Dawkins was a coach on the field, and his teammates followed him into battle because they knew he always had their backs.
He frequently left his feet to complete a bone-jarring tackle. He roamed the defensive backfield like a marauding bounty hunter targeting his quarry. He was one of the most effective blitzing safeties in football, amassing twenty-six sacks on hapless quarterbacks.
Aggressiveness and jaw-rattling hits were Dawk's forte, but he also incepted thirty-six passes and forced an amazing thirty seven fumbles, while recovering nineteen more.
Dawkins frequently said how much he loved Eagles fans. That when the Eagles played at home, he felt like he was out on the field partying with all 65,000 fans. The fans felt that and it resulted in him being perhaps the most beloved Philadelphia Eagle of all time.
To prove it was more than lip service, after the Eagles failed to re-sign Dawkins, Dan Leone, a gate chief at Lincoln Financial Field, criticized the team on his Facebook page. Adding an ugly footnote to an already ugly chapter, the Eagles promptly fired Leone. Dawkins responded by giving his two game tickets for the Eagles-Broncos game to Leone to show how much he appreciated the support.
Brian Dawkins deserves to be enshrined in Canton. He deserves to be remembered by all Eagles fans as one of the Eagles greatest warriors of all time.
Not that he could ever be forgotten.
Fans loved him as a player, as a leader, and as a man. He brought out the best in his defensive teammates. He connected with the fans more than any other player in my lifetime.
Hero worship is often misplaced in sports.
Again, Dawkins is the exception.
Larry O'Doyle
9:44 am on Monday, July 30, 2012
Once again, you have me frothing at the beak for this season. Can't wait to personally give thanks to B-Dawk on that Sunday night special against the Giants at the Linc. His deafening ovation will resonate from here to the heavens where Dawkins will reside with the rest of the Gods of the game for all eternity. Go Birds!
Mike Diviney
3:13 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012
Well stated. My beak has been frothing for weeks!
Jack Walden
12:06 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012
i have no doubt that the heavy hand of Joe Banner was the reason B-Dawk was released so unceremonously. The players to a man have the utmost respect for Andy Reid based on his character in dealing with them. While these decisions may be fiscally sound it leaves the players thinking that they are a commodity and not part of an organization that cares for them. This might be one of the reasons that they can't win a Super Bowl. They must protect themselves at all costs to remain with the organization. There is no better example of a team player than B-Dawk. So whille the policy may be fiscallyt sound there always should be exceptions. It speaks volumes about the character of B-Dawk that he still wants to retire as an Eagle. I hope the organization gives him a post career position befitting his character and dignity.
Mike Diviney
3:14 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012
I hope the way they handled their players this offseason was a sign of a shift in philosophy. Will only Andy making the calls, they re-signed all their own guys.
Jack Walden
12:13 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012
Just watched the highlight reel above. Goes great with the column!
Matt Skoufalos
12:49 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012
Watching B-Dawk relive that open-field tackle of Barry Sanders with Rich Eisen is my favorite part of that whole clip.
Phil McConkey
1:45 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012
As a Giants fan I hated the guy at first but then wished he was on the Giants. Great players. He even changed the way the safety position can be played. There's no Troy Polamalu if there's no Brian Dawkins.
Mike Diviney
3:12 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012
Classy comment Phil and that picture is classic.
Schnite
3:20 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012
Mike - Great post, my suggestion for a topic for your next post: Greatest Bird special teamer.....Kenny Rose...........also wondering if you could settle a long standing debate regarding who would win a fist fight between Lindross and C. Barkley
Mike Diviney
7:39 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012
Thanks... and wow! Kenny Rose is the best special teamer who had been a scab, but I think Ike Reese or Colt Anderson may have surpassed him.
That's TOUGH! Calling it a draw.
Bo
10:38 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012
He's going to Canton one day, my favorite late night sports talk show host G Cobb, who's strong suit is football, believes the same...there must soon be an ex-Eagle enshrined, it has been too long....outta here like Valdemier!
Mike Diviney
11:58 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012
Outta here like Valda meier huh? Pretty sure it's Vladimir. I have some skepticism of whether he'll actually get in as he undoubtedly deserves. His interception numbers aren't that great because that wasn't his forte. You add in the forced fumbles and it pushes him way past where he needs to be- 73 INT's and FF is remarkable. Really hope he gets in.
Matt Skoufalos
1:51 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
To me, Hall of Famers all should have just that: an element of celebrity that elevates them above stat-compilers. Dawkins to me feels like a Hall of Famer for his inspirational approach to the game. I think being the heart and soul of a defense for so long that a franchise would call you one of its all-time greats solidifies that reputation.
Mike Diviney
1:26 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Matt, I strongly agree with your contention that stat-compilers often don't pass the eye test as far as being HOF worthy. I know what you mean, but I'm not sure celebrity is the right word. There are guys who are more famous for being caricatures like Lyle Alzado for example, who only made 2 Pro Bowls, than for production. Just semantics but wanted to throw that in there.
Matt Skoufalos
1:29 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Yeah, it's not the threshold, but it certainly does add to the sniff test, as it were.
Mike Diviney
1:27 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Bo, who was the last Eagle to go in? Reggie? Or was he a Packer. Will Randall get in? Doubtful. Does he deserve it? Very close and debatable.
Bo
2:29 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
The last Eagle to be enshrined was Reggie, but Tommy McDonald, who was so honored in '98, played a larger percentage of his career as an Eagle and a good bit more time in the Green than Reggie spent in the same color. Randall doesn't get in, but I always wonder how well the Vikes might have matched-up against the Broncos defense, if Anderson didn't miss that FG. If Randall had simply made that Super Bowl game I think his candidacy would have been taken a bit more serious. That offense he led that year was amazing, and really helped up his numbers. I also think Billick was a head of his time with that offense he was running for Dennis Green in Minnesota.
Mike Diviney
1:21 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Bo, that's what's known as rhetorical question. For the record, McDonald played a larger percentage of his career with the Birds, but Reggie wore the kelly green for 8 seasons, McDonald for 7.
Mike Diviney
1:25 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
I think Billick was pretty much a fraud. His offense sucked in Baltimore, but he did win a ring so have to give him a little credit. With Randall, Randy Moss, Cris Carter, Jake Reed and Robert Smith, I could have guided them to 30 points a game.
Mike Diviney
1:27 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
One thing you're right about- Gary Anderson hadn't missed a FG in a CALENDAR YEAR and he chooses that Championship Game against Atlanta to miss a makeable FG. If Randall gets to that Superbowl, which he should have, it strengthens his candidacy. If he won it, he's in. As it stands, unlikely he'll get in and all because of Gary Anderson's miss.
Reed Rothchild
10:50 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Dawkins = Legend. He's in the top tier of All-Time Philadelphia athletes and when it comes to football his only peer is Reggie White. Regardless of all the other "greats" #20 and #92 sit ahead of the table. Not to take anything away from Randall, Jerome, Brian Westbrook but there is "top notch" and there is "Legendary". B-Dawk aka Weapon X is as good as it gets. (Both on and off the field)
Reed Rothchild
10:52 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
oh, another good piece Mike. Keep up the good work.
Mike Diviney
1:23 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Well said. There are great players who we love for being great players. Then there are great players who are also great leaders, ultimate warriors and have that something special that sets them a notch above the other greats. That's Dawk.
Mike Diviney
1:27 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Thanks Reed.
Bo
2:05 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Mike in total agreement, and I think the match-up of Moss and Carter against Denver's secondary, might have meant a Super Bowl win for the Vikes. We will never know, but if he had won then he would have been enshrined in Canton. That all said, Elway was probably do a little luck after all his bad luck and the shortcomings of prior Super Bowl losing teams. No running game, and small on both sides of the line. That luck meant beating Dan Reeves the coach of that Falcons team. Between this playoff loss and then the fog bowl loss, maybe Randall's time just ran out before his luck was about to arrive.
Porterincollingswood
2:42 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Vikings could also run, great RB in Robert Smith. That team was loaded, would have been a great game. I'll never forget where I was when that game ended the way it did.
Mike Diviney
2:18 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Yes, but Elway has to bear some blame. Can't attribute it all to bad luck when they got BLOWNOUT in those 3 Superbowls. They were good enough to get there. Elway was probably a HOF'er even before he won 2 Superbowls in his last 2 years. But ye
Phil McConkey
4:30 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
blip..blip..blip...Giants Superbowl WIN mentioned...blip..blip......
Mike Diviney
2:55 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Robert Smith was like a crystal chandelier, but great when healthy. How did that game end? Was it a heroic Elway run?
Porterincollingswood
4:00 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
He was dainty. But that's why God created Leroy Hoard.
Fabiola Et
3:37 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
You are a very talented writer. I love your creativity and sense of humor.
Great job!!!
Mike Diviney
3:47 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Thank you. Although, I hope it's more informative than humorous.
Mike Diviney
4:08 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Porter, haha. You're right though Leroy Hoard did come in useful a few times, even in the record-breaking year.
Mike Diviney
4:32 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
yeah Phil, don't think it counts if you're the one mentioning it. That's a reach at best!
Bo
1:11 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012
You, Mike Diviney could have coached that vikes team and led their offense better or kept them at that same level, they broke many NFL records that year, right, To say Billick is a fraud, come now.
2nd, there is only one color green that matters, and it is whatever the Eagles are wearing. The Packers can call that green, but I call it dirt that looks green, and it is not as classic as Midnight or Kelly Green.
3rd and for sure Reggie spent longer with the Birds, but him winning that Super Bowl with Green Bay, and spending the ladder half of his 15 year career, 6 in a goofy yellow helmet, he just feels a little more Packer than Eagle. But that'll never take the memories that my eyes once saw, and all the triple teaming that Reggie just flick to the way-side, on his path to the QB.
Mike Diviney
2:57 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012
On Billick, maybe fraud is a bit strong, but he's far from a genius. They set one NFL record. It was broken inside of 3 years by the Rams so... If he was so great, why did the Ravens have a weak offense his whole time there? He never could get a QB there, with Tony Banks and T. Dilfer. It's about players and the talent he had in Minny was unreal.
Mike Diviney
2:58 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012
I don't know. He started here and was here a long time. Kelly green is CLASSIC, midnight is so-so.
Larry O'Doyle
2:19 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012
I agree with Bo regarding Reggie White. All of the post-mortem love and fanfare for Reggie White rings a bit hollow to me as well. Feels like we want to claim his legacy as our own but his loyalties lay elsewhere. Actually reminds me of all the women I've ever dated come to think of it. Reggie may be the greatest player to ever don the green and silver but Dawkins is the greatest Eagle. E-A-G-L-E-S! Go Birds!
Larry O'Doyle
2:24 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012
Dawkins and Bednarik share the head of my table.
Mike Diviney
3:00 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012
Little harsh on Reggie. Braman let him go though it seemed like he was going anyway. He's dead so not sure how you figured out his loyalties lay elsewhere. Either way, B-Dawk is the greatest Eagle EVER to wear the Green and Silver!
J D IN TENNESSEE
2:43 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012
Jack W is spot on. Great video with the piece Michael!
Mike Diviney
2:59 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012
Thank you. Jack W. is ALWAYS spot on!
Mike Diviney
3:02 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012
Larry, as it's a long table, let's put B-Dawk and Chuck at the head on opposite ends. The real question, is who gets the other seats if there are say, 10 of them?
Bo
3:27 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012
Steve Van Buren, then everyone else, '48 and '49 NFL Champs.
Mike Diviney
3:58 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012
Yeah but it was just so long ago, it was almost a different sport. How about Van Brocklin? Trivia question on Van Buren: without looking it up, in what country was he born? Hint: he is the only athlete ever to appear in the 4 majors who was born in this country.
Bo
7:07 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012
Steve is Mr Eagle, what number was he on that top 100 of all-time and then where is the next Eagle. I am not sure where he was born but he is still alive, outside of Allentown. He is in assisted living facility and has been dealing with worsening dementia for a number of years.
Mike Diviney
8:12 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012
He is and I think he's 91 or 92. Again, it was so long ago that he's almost in a different category. Honduras believe it or not.
Baumer
4:44 pm on Saturday, August 4, 2012
Great piece, I can never get enough of B Dawk and the legacy he left with this franchise. Letting him walk after '08 was exactly like you wrote Mike, absolutely egregious! You nailed that right on the head. It's probably the biggest reason that I can't stand Banner and couldn't be happier to see Lurie dump him. I still get chills every time I watch highlights of #20 and if I had my way he'd be coaching in some kind of capacity with the Eagles. There's no doubt they could use his passion and love for the game...maybe some of it would rub off on these guys. Well-written Mike, excellent job.
Mike Diviney
5:47 pm on Saturday, August 4, 2012
Thanks Baumer. I would love to see B-Dawk back on the sidelines. As inspirational as he was as a player, he could bring some of that to coaching. Plus, he's got to have an outlet for the emotion he brought to the field or he'll explode at some point.
sjgiantfan
1:30 pm on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
I know this is an Eagle blog and living down here amongst Eagle fans as a Giant fan is always, let's say entertaining. But for all the back and forth, and wins, losses, super bowls and such, all that was put into perspective on Saturday. As a long time Giant fan and eagle hater (games), my heart goes out to the man who has to bury his son. Nothing is close in comparison, wins and losses mean zero. Chin up Andy Reid, even Giants fans hearts and prayers are with you at this difficult time...