Next stop for Dawk: Hall of Fame
A player who defined the Eagles.
Next stop for Dawk: Hall of Fame
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
The news, inevitable for all who wear a uniform, arrived Monday morning: Brian Dawkins is retiring.
Next stop: Canton.
Having been paid to watch this Eagles team for 3 decades now -- and if that isn't the gig of the century, I don't know what is -- there are few certainties and many conflicted feelings about different people and different events along the way. Frankly, the end here for Dawkins was one of those uncertain, conflicted things. Because, on the one hand, I understood why the team wanted to move on but, on the other hand, I wrote about how they had to find a way to get him to stay.
So, conflcits. Except for this:
The man is a Hall of Famer.
I know that a lot of safeties don't get in. I know there will be other names thrown out there. But I also know this, and I know it as certainly as I know anything: that as a player, and as a person, over a long period of time, I find it hard to believe that any player in the NFL defined his team and inspired his team the way Dawkins did.
This was a team that went to the Super Bowl, and repeatedly went to the playoffs, and turned over its personnel more than once, and counted on somebody to be its beacon. They wanted an example of tougness. They wanted an example of seriousness of purpose. They also wanted, and needed, a player whose connection to the fans was so unbreakable that it helped to renew and refuel the emotion it took to sustain excellence over a decade.
Brian Dawkins did all of that -- and made a boatload of Pro Bowls besides.
He is more than deserving. And here is the thing: his election would be your election because of those bonds he forged. He would be going and you would be going.
How can they deny an entire football city?
Short answer: they can't.
Dawk was the heart and soul of the team for over a decade. We havent been the same since. Loved his toughness and attitude. Canton is a lock!— phillyfaninflorida- Dawkins was essential to the Eagles, but Hall of Fame, that's over stating his play compared to Hall of Fame Safties. We know why he ended his Career in Denver. The Eagles playing low ball with loyal players isn't new, it's long been their strategy to back load contracts with value the player doesn't have a chance to reach.
This is the strategy at the center of Samuel contract. Now they are pretty much a lock to have to release Samuel to find relief from that agreement.— Dexter - Dexter, if you don't think Dawkins is a serious candidate for the Hall of Fame, you know nothing about football and the Daily News should block your IP address from allowing you to comment here. Ever.— Captain Awesome
- I have nothing against him, but Brian Dawkins is not a HOFer. Sorry.
— CCRichards - There is no one more deserving of Canton then Brian Dawkins. I hope he comes back to this city in some capacity. This team needs a lesson in playing the game like it's your last and he did that his whole career. Best Eagle Ever.— Vote for Dickie
- LMAFO! Next stop hall of fame LOL! You're killing me. Um somebody please tell how how does a player make the hall of fame when he has 0 as in ZERO sacks, ZERO tackles for loses, ZERO forced fumbles, ZERO fumble recoveries and ZERO interceptions in all of our championship loses COMBINED! When the rest of the championship teams had outstanding play from their safeties Dakwins was nowhere to be seen in any of them. What a joke. Thanks for the laugh Philly.com. Dawkins a HOF'er um yeah right still LMAO!— lonewolf 10
- Dawk is arguable the greatest Eagle ever. Only Reggie can be talked about in that class. Dexter, if you don't think he is HOF worthy, you clearly know nothing about football, the NFL or sports in general. You should be working on the WIP morning show!— MacMan5
- Brain Dawkins is a first-vote Hall of Fame player. He is also a City hall of famer for all he has done and has stood for while a pro in Philly. Best of luck in retirement Dawk. We miss you!!— billtfla
- Dawkins is on the only Eagles jersey I own and the only one I will ever wear. To me he is one of the greatest Eagles of all time. At his age he is still better than every safety on the current roster.— coloradoeagle
- Dawk is going to Canton with those zero rings he helped bring here. He actually is symbolic of our overall phutileness as a phranchise. We elevate these average players to superstar status, and enshrine them based on nothing more than effort.— thingfish
- We should have such "effort" from the other 52 players. Maybe then we'd have a Super Bowl Trophy by now. — essell
- Lonewolf....if you were standing in front of me, I would slap you silly. sillier than you already seem to be. What are you smoking? Go be a "fan" of the Cowgirls if you cant back someone like Brian Dawkins. You are a total ingnorant buffoon.— cdedrick05
- If he would have had the same impact in Denver as Philly I would put him in the HOF for sure. But without a SB and less than stellar play in Denver I am hopeful that he'll get in. Don't mis understand me. He exemplifies what you want to see in the Heroes of the game but a guy like Ed Reed might get the nod before him because of the big games play and SB wins.— nceagle
- If winning a SB is a prerequisite for you for a safety to get in, then Ed Reed is not going to get in either - his rookie year was 2002, two years after the Ravens won the SB. Care to reevaluate your comment? — WorldFnChamps
- The Ultimate Bird...............— daisy99
