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.
The Eagles will miss Dawkins' most intangible quality -- leadership. If I were running this team, I'd look for a defensive free agent who embodies that. It's now time to spend the big bucks to get Ray Lewis.— rhawnhurster- Every career comes to an end. Thank you Dawk for your years in Philly and I wish you the best in Denver. Dawk is one of the growing list of athletes who change teams in the twilight of their careers because it doesn't make sense to pay big bucks for eroding skills. This too shall pass and we will all pull for whomever replaces him.— Igglesfn
- Good bye, and a great big monstrous green Thank You to the Class Act of the Eagles. You'll always be an Eagle to us as well.— seano
- God, Da Birds cant even win in the off season. BDawk worked harder then any one else this pass season and it showed! They dont deserve him.— Waterhog
- As I read the commentary, it's difficult to separate the emotion, and the rhetoric that accompanies it, with the cold, hard business reality that the NFL. There's right on both sides, of course, and wrong, that should be equally shared. But the choices have been made and we'll have to live with them as we always have. Philadelphia is a strong town, with passionate, intelligent fans who care very deeply about their teams. So, it is from that place that I wish #20, that little safety from Clemson, all the best in his new city. I hope the Broncos appreciate you and what you bring to their team. I know Philly does.— stonefish
- He deserved a 2 year 9 mill contract.— jmweiss114
- Disposable commodity. That's what pro athletes are when they reach a certain age or ability, and that's exactly how Dawkins was treated by Lurie & Co. Who will wear #20 next season, or do we think that it will be retired?— brio
The man is class act. Plain and simple. It hurts to see him go. Time to move on.- Banner & Co. should have never let it get to this point. Shame on them for taking a Hall-of-Famer for granted. Good Luck, #20. Hit 'em hard.— Eagles10
Comment removed.- Yeah, Fred. That's why Dawkins left, because he knew McNabb can't win.....yet another really, really, really good argument from another idiotic do*chebag McNabb hater. Still have yet to hear a good argument from any of them. Was Dawkins from Philly? One of my favorite Eagles of all time but still in a business. Bummer. Let's go Quentin, Josilio, Asante, Demps and Sheldon!!— elektrika
- www.thevoiceofthefan.wordpress.com
- I guess I always took Dawkins for granted and just assumed he would retire an Eagle. This is some of the most depressing news I've heard in a long time. I just can't believe it. The Eagles just won't be the same without him.— benny215
- After watching all of the players that have come in and out of the Eagles organization over the past 28 years. I can categorically deny that Dawkins is "all about the money." He has never caused any problems with contract negotiations, always showed up to camp on time, and gave his heart, soul and body up on every play! In light of the stereotypical modern day athlete, I have never seen a more shining example of what a professional athlete should be than Brian Dawkins. He's a tough competitor, a fair player, and model human being off the field. As a pro-bowl starter he is every bit worth $9mil for 2-yrs. Though I agree he may not last the 5 he signed for, we could've (and should've) matched the 9 for 2. He is a Philadelphia ICON that is still one of (if not the) best safeties in the league. I'm disgusted with lack of respect and lack of value for hard work and loyalty that the three stooges have shown Dawk! I, for one, will be purchasing a Dawkins Bronco jersey and wearing it to a game next season in protest of them AND to wish Dawk fair winds and following seas in whatever he does. This is an extremely sad day in the history of Philadelphia sports and a complete injustice done to a great man. Good luck, Dawk, and thank you.— Pfan4lifeUntilNow
- The Lemmings will still fill the stadium in September...wipe your tears.— bvl390
