Dawk: Thanks to Fans
A tearful Brian Dawkins expressed his love for the fans of Philadelphia, a day after he signed with Denver.
Dawk: Thanks to Fans
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
The lengthy pauses had nothing to do with the cell phone service. Brian Dawkins was in tears Sunday, when he responded to a request from the Daily News to talk to the fans of Philadelphia.
"I've just got to thank them. For so many years, we obviously connected on a very deep basis," Dawkins said the day after he left his only NFL home for 13 seasons to sign with the Denver Broncos. "For so many years, they've allowed me to come into their living rooms, to laugh with them, to party with them, to celebrate with them, to cry with 'em through tough losses, to bleed with them. I just really appreciate the way they accepted me, a little safety from Clemson."
Asked about the fact that the Broncos are scheduled to visit the Eagles this season, at a yet-to-be-determined date, Dawkins was overcome with emotion. "Whew," he said. "It's tough. This is not just business for me. I never thought that this would happen this way. I thought the only time I would shed tears in an interview would be because of my retirement from the Eagles, not like this."
Dawkins would not address what the Birds offered to keep him here. Dawkins, 35, reportedly will make more than $9 million guaranteed in the first two years of the reported five-year, $17 million deal he signed in Denver.
"I want to do this the right way," he said.
The day after, it would not be stretching to say Dawk sounded like he had regrets -- buyer's remorse, at the very least.
"In a couple of weeks or a month, I'll be excited about this team," Dawkins said. "I've got to get used to saying that -- I'm a Bronco." Then he paused. "I'll tell you one thing -- I'll always be an Eagle."
Then he paused again, and excused himself.
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He will be missed, and as a long time eagles fan...it doesnt matter what uniform he ends his career wearing, he will always be an eagle in my heart and the hearts of lots of fans. Good luck Brian.— traugdog420- What did the Eagles spend to have Stacy Andrews hold his brothers hand this year ?!?!— MrMayhem
- Apologies to Randall, Donovan, Westy and Eric Allen, but Dawk will always be my favorite Eagle.— Nutburgers
- While he is in decline, he will be missed in the locker-room. There is no debating that. The only gold standard this team adorns is the one that fails to honor lifetime players like dawkins. Jerrfrey Lurie is a joke. He obviously doesn't have the money to own a team. He relies on revenues. While Dan Snyder is a joke at least he goes down with guns blazing. Lurie, Reid, Banner go down with the tails between their arses. I hate the three stooges. Exit stage right.— montymiller
- OK, now after reading this, as far as I am concern, if Dawkins really cared about the Eagles, he would have stay here for less money. Most of these players are so greedy that they don't do it for the love of the game or for the fans, they see these BIG dollar signs in their eyes. Yeh, Dawk, shed all the tears you want, but inside you are feeling good about the money.— Tom5576
- Dawkins left because he knows the Eagles can't win with McNabb at QB!— fred13
- Like Reggie White did, Dawk prayed about where to sign.......and that place just happened to be where the most money was offered.....Dawk, don't let the screen door hitcha'!!!!!!!— cheeks4two
- everybody keeps looking to pin blame in this situation. I think the difference in the two offers can be found in the value that each organization gives to the intangible of "leadership." Denver obviously gives it much more importance. Dawkins, in his words "it's more than just a business to me" obviously practices what he preaches. Ironically, this attitude probably is what inflated his "business" value to the Broncos. When all is said and done, hopefully the Eagles will give him the cermonious one day contract and allow him to retire at home...as an Eagle...where he belongs.— joeibt
- Memo to Morningwig.... when we play Denver this season, please send Celek, Pettigrew or whoever else we have at Tight End straight down the middle of the field vs. Dawkins because he can't cover any better than Anthony Scirotto— christopherkmaddaloni
- I'm sick of everyone always blaming the players when guys like Jerry Jones don't seem to have problems retaining or signing new players. I'm also sick of the Eagles always bragging about being X-million under the salary cap while allowing legends like Reggie White and Dawk to just walk away. I don't blame Dawk at all for his decision. That "commitment" stuff goes both ways. They could have made him a better offer. He gave his all last season. He has to think about his future (you know, the one where he has a battered and beat down body in constant need of medical care, children to put through college, bills, debt, and no longer pulling an NFL paycheck). Best of luck to you Dawk. You were the biggest reason I was desperate for the Eagles to win a Super Bowl sooner, rather than later. I for one will be cheering like a maniac for you when you trot on the field of the Linc. Unlike some Philly fans, my memory isn't limited to what you did in the past week, but what you did FOR US the past 13 years— moose_man
- I agree. I mean he could have stayed if he wanted to, but at the end of the day, in the NFL money=respect. Denver respects the services of Dawk more then Philly did. Dawk had a number in mind, which is fair people he is the one who plays while we watch, and Denver showed him the respect. The safety has always been my favorite player on the team, from Hopkins to Zordich to Dawk. Now I guess my favorite is Q Mike.— albertpa
