Brian Dawkins

Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles selected Dawkins in the second round (61st overall) of the 1996 NFL draft. Dawkins was the fifth safety drafted in 1996. The Philadelphia Eagles drafted Dawkins using a compensatory pick they received from the departure of Seth Joyner in free agency in 1994.

1996

On July 16, 1996, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Dawkins to a four-year, $1.27 million rookie contract that included a signing bonus of $443,000.

Dawkins entered training camp slated as the backup free safety behind Eric Zomalt who earned the starting role after Greg Jackson departed in free agency. Head coach Ray Rhodes named Dawkins the backup free safety to start the regular season, behind Eric Zomalt. He made his professional regular-season debut in the Philadelphia Eagles' season-opener at the Washington Redskins and made one tackle in their 17–14 victory. The following week, Dawkins earned his first career start and collected a season-high 11 combined tackles during a 39–13 loss at the Green Bay Packers in week 2. On September 18, 1996, head coach Ray Rhodes officially named Dawkins the starting free safety, alongside strong safety Mike Zordich, after he surpassed Eric Zomalt on the depth chart. Zomalt was subsequently released the following day. On September 22, 1996, Dawkins recorded four combined tackles and made his first career interception during a 33–18 win at the Atlanta Falcons in week 4. Dawkins made his first career interception off a…

On September 5, 2012, it was announced that Dawkins was hired as an NFL studio analyst by ESPN. On July 30, 2016, Dawkins returned to the Eagles to take a role on the team's scouting staff. On August 17, 2016, Dawkins was given the new role of Football Operations Executive to assist with player development. On May 22, 2018, Dawkins resigned as Football Operations Executive to seek other opportunities.

NFL

As player 4× First-team All-Pro (2001, 2002, 2004, 2006) Second-team All-Pro (2009) 9× Pro Bowl (1999, 2001, 2002, 2004–2006, 2008, 2009, 2011) NFL 2000s All-Decade Team NFLPA Alan Page Community Award (2009) PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team (1996) Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame Philadelphia Eagles 75th Anniversary Team Philadelphia Eagles No. 20 retired Pro Football Hall of Fame (2018) 20/20 Club The first player in NFL history to record a sack, an interception, forced fumble, and touchdown reception in a single game The first player in NFL history to record at least 30 interceptions and 30 forced fumbles in a career. Has forced 36 fumbles, the most ever by a safety in NFL history Only player in NFL history with 25+ interceptions (37), forced fumbles (36), and sacks (26) As administrator Super Bowl champion (LII)

College

Second-team All-American (1995) First-team All-ACC (1995) 2× Second-team All-ACC (1993, 1994)

Dawkins graduated from William M. Raines High School in Jacksonville, Florida in 1992. He played both football and basketball in high school, and helped lead the basketball team to a Class 3A championship. Dawkins was not highly recruited out of high school, but received a scholarship offer from Clemson University at the request of his high school teammate, Patrick Sapp. Dawkins was a three-year starter at defensive back for the Clemson Tigers football team, finishing his career with 247 tackles and 11 interceptions. He received first-team All-ACC Honors in 1995 and was selected by the Associated Press and Sporting News as a second-team All-American as a senior when his team-high six interceptions tied him for the conference lead. He was named the first-team strong safety on Clemson's all-centennial team in 1996 and was selected to their Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009. On January 11, 2013, Clemson University established the Brian Dawkins Lifetime Achievement Award to annually honor a former Clemson player for their performance on the field, contributions in leadership and community service.