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He is my favorite professional athlete of all time. He might be my single favorite person of all time. He has been the unquestioned leader of my team for 13 years...

Weapon X: Is Brian Dawkins Worthy of the Hall of Fame?

by Bryn Swartz (Senior Writer)

27

1083 reads

Opinion

November 23, 2008


He is my favorite professional athlete of all time. He might be my single favorite person of all time. He has been the unquestioned leader of my team for 13 years. He is one of the most feared defenders in the National Football League and trains during the offseason with MMA fighter Tim Catalfo.

And, as his career nears its unfortunate conclusion, it's time to ask ourselves: Is Brian Dawkins worthy of selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Brian Dawkins was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He is the most popular player in Philadelphia and is currently the longest-tenured Philadelphia athlete.

 

As a 23 year old, Dawkins was given the starting job in 1996. He intercepted three passes and forced two fumbles that season. He recorded his first quarterback sack and led the Eagles into the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

 

Dawkins intercepted three passes in the 1997 season, including a 64-yarder for his first NFL touchdown against the division rival New York Giants.

 

Dawkins was the one bright spot for the Eagles' franchise in 1998. He intercepted two passes and forced a fumble in his 14 games. He also began earning a reputation as one of the more feared hitters in the National Football League.

 

In 1999, No. 20 earned his first selection to the Pro Bowl. He intercepted a pass in each of the season's first three games. He also returned an interception for 67 yards and a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins, the longest play of his career.

 

He successfully defended 24 passes, a career-high, and tops in the National Football League. His six forced fumbles led the NFC and he racked up 1.5 sacks. It was arguably the greatest year of his career.

 

Dawkins continued his dominance over the next eight seasons. He intercepted 21 more passes, including three game-winning fourth quarter interceptions. His consistency shows in the fact that he has never intercepted more than four passes in a season, but never less than two in any full season.

 

He holds the unusual distinction of being the only player in the history of the NFL to intercept a pass, sack a quarterback, recover a fumble, and catch a touchdown in the same game, against the Houston Texans in 2002.

 

The single biggest play of Dawkins' career came in overtime in the divisional round of the playoffs in 2003. He intercepted future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre on the first play of overtime and returned the pass 35 yards to set up David Akers' game-winning field goal. The Eagles advanced to their third straight NFC Championship Game.

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27 comments Last one added 2 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Adam Finnemeyer 7 months ago

    Dude, I couldn't agree more. Dawk is the man!!!! He will be first ballot hall of fame in his first eligible years. He is absolutely amazing. I wish he could play forever at the high level he's usually at.

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  2. Jim Mc 7 months ago

    Great article! I agree, I think Dawk is a Hall of Famer. If not, name me one other safety from his era that was better.

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    • Luke Sullivan 6 months ago

      Ed Reed is on his level, but BDawk is just dominant.

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    • Bryn Swartz 6 months ago

      Ed Reed is better. I am not going to lie. 39 interceptions since 2002. Dawkins has 34 in his career. Ed Reed can score any possible way. He can hit almost as hard and he a good leader in the clubhouse also. I think Ed Reed is so underrated.

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    • Jim Mc 6 months ago

      Ed Reed will likely end up in the HOF, too. But interceptions alone are not the only measure for greatness. Fear instilled and punishment inflicted are parts of Dawk's game, not to mention leadership. Reed is a great player, but that defense is still belongs to Lewis.

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  3. Orlando Morales 7 months ago

    NO doubt that Dawk is a Hall of Famer. If he's not a first balloter I'll be shocked. He is no doubt in my mind the best safety to ever play the game. Great Job here Bryn.

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  4. Christian Karcole 7 months ago

    Absolutely, I agree. Sure, I may be biased here, but watching him, and seeing him play, I think he should absolutely end up in the hall eventually.

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  5. John Parker 7 months ago

    get some of the forgotten heros of old before Dawkins
    like Jerry Kramer, Snake Stabler, Cris Carter and Bob Hayes
    i think i would rather take those guys instead of Dawkins because they have waited long enough

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  6. Ryan Callahan 7 months ago

    Dawkins is my favorite player on the Eagles. Although he has clearly lost a step recently with age, he still plays with such heart and intensity. He should definitely be a Hall of Famer.

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  7. Bob Cunningham 7 months ago

    oh, we do agree on something.

    when you're the best at your position for a generation, you're a hall of fame player.

    but he takes it further, he's the best safety next to only Ronnie Lott.

    if the man is not first ballot... I'm attacking Canton.

    who's with me?

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  8. Travis Evans 7 months ago

    Sean Taylor or Ed Reed would go before him but Taylor won't make it because as we all know he was murdered.

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    • Bryn Swartz 7 months ago

      Well more than one safety can make it at the same time, but yeah I think Ed Reed deserves it. He's the best big-play safety in NFL history.

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  9. Travis Evans 7 months ago

    he has nasty i mean nasty returns

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  10. Travis Evans 7 months ago

    they played today

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  11. RShel 6 months ago

    I completely agree with this article. When Brian Dawkins was in his prime, he was the most dominate safety in the game it was almost unfair. The mere fact that he is still performing on the level he is now at his age is unreal. He is extremely consistent and I would be in shock if he was not a first ballot hall of fame. He is in his mid thirties and still competes at a level equal to today's top safties , who are all in their prime and many years younger. Do not say anyone is on Dawkins level until they have done what Dawkins has done for as long as he has and at the age he is. I would take Dawkins in his prime over any free safety to play the game no questions asked!

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  12. Bryn Swartz 6 months ago

    Dawkins just clinched the Hall of Fame with his game today.

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  13. Tom Eagle 5 months ago

    Rshel makes a great point...dawkins is playing at the level of some of the top safetys even at his age. He still has the capability of playing for many more years even though he is retiring and that is what makes him hall worthy

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  14. JOHN GRILLAKIS 5 months ago

    WEAPON '" X '" BRIAN DAWKINS IS THE GREATEST AT WHAT HE DOES ,, HE IS AN EMOTIONAL BOOST FOR THE PHILA EAGLES , A TOTAL INSPIRATIONAL LEADER , THE COMPLETE PACKAGE WITH DOMINATING LEADERSHIP AND THE REAL MEANING OF FOOTBALL IN HIS BLOOD ,,, HE IS DESERVING OF THE HALL OF FAME AND EVEN A COACHING POSITION FOR DEFENSIVE BACKS ,,,, HE DESERVES TOTAL VOTING IN THE BALLOTS WITHOUT QUESTION,,, A TOTAL GENTLEMAN ....

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