Latest news with #BrianDawkins
USA Today
09-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Eagles star's recent release may signal that retirement is near
Former Eagles star's recent release may signal that retirement is near Former Eagles second-round pick Jordan Matthews could look to retire after getting released by the Panthers Depending on where they are from (Oakland, Los Angeles, or Las Vegas), there's an old saying you may have heard from fans of The Silver and Black. "Once a Raider, always a Raider". That's respectable. There's not really a Philadelphia Eagles parallel, but we've seen the same attitude by Birds fans for years. Brian Dawkins is a superhero. Jason Kelce won't ever have to buy a drink or meal in Philly unless he wants to pick up the tab. Even role players can attest to the love of football's most loyal fan base. How often have you watched a non-Eagles game because of a former player or an old coach? Jordan Matthews will never be voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He won't be in the Eagles Hall of Fame either, but after three stints with this team (2014-16, 2018, 2019), he's earned his wings. That being said, he earns a tip of the cap after being part of a recent update. Jordan Matthews's recent release may have hinted that retirement is nearing. Philadelphia selected Jordan Matthews with the 42nd selection during Round 2 of the 2014 NFL Draft. He's since hauled in 249 receptions in an Eagles jersey and 274 catches overall. None were more exciting than a sudden-death overtime winner vs. the hated Dallas Cowboys in 2015. He's spent the past two seasons in Charlotte with the Carolina Panthers, but the announcement no NFL star wants to hear has come. They have released him as part of a wave of veteran cuts, including Jadeveon Clowney's release. Might this signal the end? It would seem that way. He's 32 years old, and after only appearing in five games over the past two seasons, he hasn't played a full NFL season since 2015. Though he has had a nice run, we fear retirement may be nearing. If this is the end, he leaves the game having racked up 3,288 yards in 81 career regular-season games with 47 starts. He has 22 regular-season TDs on his resume. He also notched one postseason reception for 37 yards and another trip to the end zone.
USA Today
25-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Brian Dawkins reflects on the Eagles' Super Bowl LIX defensive performance vs. the Chiefs
Brian Dawkins reflects on the Eagles' Super Bowl LIX defensive performance vs. the Chiefs This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Pro Football Hall of Famer and Philadelphia Eagles legend Brian Dawkins. In his interview with Easton Jr., Dawkins discussed representing Boehringer & Lilly's It Takes 2 health initiative, spreading awareness about getting tested for kidney disease, and reflecting on the Eagles' defense's performance in Super Bowl LIX, which forced Kansas City into numerous turnovers and pressured Patrick Mahomes. The "It's In Your Hands: It Takes 2" CORE Kidney float debuted with Dawkins aboard at the 2025 Rose Parade. The collaboration reflected a shared commitment to kidney health and the importance of teamwork in understanding kidney disease comprehensively. The Eagles' defense collected six sacks and two interceptions on three-time Super Bowl MVP Mahomes en route to a 40-22 victory. Dawkins reflected on the game, sharing his opinion on Philadelphia's shocking dominance over the Chiefs' experienced offensive stars. "I was surprised that it happened the way that it happened. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that's not something I thought would happen. I thought it was going to be a reverse of fortune that the Eagles would make that last drive to win the game this time around; I thought it would be that type of a close game." said Dawkins, "But it was not from the jump that the defense stepped up and played the best game, probably that you would see that I can remember." Dawkins spent thirteen of his sixteen NFL seasons in Philadelphia, achieving tremendous success with NFC Championship appearances under then-head coach Andy Reid. The defense was prominent on those teams that fell short of a Super Bowl title in 2004. "Sometimes we have done some things with Jim Johnson, Reggie White, and the crew. They did some things back in the day. But I'm just telling you, on that stage, though, to be able to perform to the level in the Super Bowl the way that they did, unbelievable." said Dawkins, "I was so excited to see them doing it that way, winning the game because it's the Super Bowl. I'm a defensive guy, so to see them dominate the way that they did, I loved it."
USA Today
24-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Hall of Fame DB Brian Dawkins expected to be selected by the Chiefs in the 1996 NFL Draft
Hall of Fame DB Brian Dawkins expected to be selected by the Chiefs in the 1996 NFL Draft This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Pro Football Hall of Famer and Philadelphia Eagles legend Brian Dawkins. In his interview with Easton Jr., Dawkins discussed Boehringer & Lilly's "It Takes 2" health initiative, which aims to spread awareness about getting tested for kidney disease, and reflected on the 1996 NFL Draft, when he believed he was going to be selected in the first round by the Kansas City Chiefs. Kidney disease is a progressive and potentially life-threatening condition that impacts more than 35 million adults in the U.S. Dawkins' parents have a history of both type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, which makes it critical for both to focus on their kidney health, and is why he joined the cause. Dawkins spent thirteen of his sixteen NFL seasons in Philadelphia, but, according to his 1996 draft experience, he could have been drafted by Kansas City. "Well, hearing my name called was nerve-racking and frustrating, to be honest with you; I was excited at the end, but it was nerve-racking. It was frustrating. Then, I thought I would go in the first round. I thought Kansas City was going to draft me," said Dawkins. They're the only team that came out to take me to dinner, so I thought they would draft me. They didn't draft me, and then I went all the way to the end of the second round. In my mind, the way that I always used it for motivation is that I considered myself to be a third-round pick. I was the last pick in the second round. I considered myself a third-round pick and used that for motivation for basically all of my career." The Chiefs would go on to select defensive backs Jerome Woods (First Round, 28th overall) and Reggie Tongue (Second Round, 58th overall). Philadelphia took Dawkins in the second round, 61st overall. "It was a nerve-racking day for me, but once I finally got the call from the Eagles, I talked to many different individuals. Still, I was excited about this new direction for me to be able to go into and plan for the Philadelphia Eagles," said Dawkins. "I was extremely excited to play, even though I knew I was going to have to wear that green that I was not a fan of at the time; it wasn't the green, it was the socks I wasn't a fan of, but it was such a blessing to have that opportunity to go play in the National Football League."
USA Today
24-04-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Hall of Fame DB Brian Dawkins offers advice to 2025 NFL Draft safety prospects
Hall of Fame DB Brian Dawkins offers advice to 2025 NFL Draft safety prospects This week, Touchdown Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Pro Football Hall of Famer and Philadelphia Eagles legend Brian Dawkins. In his interview with Easton Jr., Dawkins discussed representing Boehringer & Lilly's "It Takes 2" health initiative, spreading awareness about getting tested for kidney disease, and offering advice for this year's draft prospects. Kidney disease is a progressive and potentially life-threatening condition that impacts more than 35 million adults in the U.S. Dawkins' parents have a history of both type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, which makes it critical for both to focus on their kidney health, and is why he joined the cause. Dawkins was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018 and shared his wisdom with the safety class as they enter the 2025 NFL Draft. "The thing that I would tell all of them is, don't set yourself into one seat like that. What I mean by that is, don't plug yourself at being a one-role type of person because that person is not likely to be able to have success on this next level, with where the game has gone; you have to be versatile," said Dawkins, "You have to be able to do a multitude of things. So, the more you can do at a high level, the better you will be. For that defensive coordinator, you become a chess piece. Instead of a checker moving from one place to the next, that piece can move everywhere. So you become a chess piece. Make sure that you're versatile in that way. Make sure your mindset is that you're versatile so that your body will follow the lead of your mind." From 2016 to 2017, Dawkins worked in the Eagles' front office as the executive for player development in football operations. He reflected on handling the draft from that perspective. "So I got a chance to see how all that stuff is put together, how the draft board is put together," said Dawkins. "I got another level of appreciation for the scouting department. Philadelphia has an extremely talented scouting department. Those cats put in a lot of hours to do what they do to make sure that the right individuals can fit into Philadelphia. Not everybody and I always say this, not everybody can play in Philadelphia. It is what it is like. You gotta have a certain mindset to play in Philadelphia." Dawkins worked in the front office during the Eagles' 2017 Super Bowl season, working closely with executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman. "So they do a great job of presenting Howie (Roseman) the different individuals that they believe could come into Philadelphia to play the game the way that it needs to be played again in Philadelphia, which is different." said Dawkins, "I've had a completely different appreciation for the hours that they spend, the traveling that they do all over America to make sure that as much as they can, they can vet the young person to make sure that he's a fit for Philadelphia."
USA Today
12-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
WATCH: Chiefs Wire Podcast Video Interview: Brian Dawkins
WATCH: Chiefs Wire Podcast Video Interview: Brian Dawkins On the Chiefs Wire Podcast, we look back at one of the best interviews from the 2024 season! This week, we're reflecting on the Week 18 episode. Watch as Senior Writer Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Pro Football Hall of Famer and Philadelphia Eagles legend Brian Dawkins. The multiple-time All-Pro safety shared his thoughts on former Eagles coaches Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuolo's success with the Kansas City Chiefs. Dawkins spent thirteen of his sixteen NFL seasons in Philadelphia, where Andy Reid primarily coached him. Steve Spagnuolo served as a defensive assistant coach during Dawkins' tenure. The nine-time Pro Bowler believed the team's current success in Kansas City should have happened in Philadelphia. We also learn more from former Broncos Pro Bowler Dawkins about his famous nickname, 'Weapon X,' and his decision to leave Philadelphia for Denver to finish his career. Check out the link to listen to the full episode!
