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.
I am old enough to remember Wes Hopkins, he was a beast but he pale in comparison to Dawkins. Also have to look at the teams, after the superbowl the Eagles were not very good in the 80's. The Eagles were a powerhouse most of the years Dawkins wore green.
As for wearing a Dawkins jersey, I think the fans should retire his jersey too. We're not worthy. Canton would be lucky to have him enshrined.— willbert31- If Dawkins isn't a hall of famer, I dont know who is...— Apollo Creed
- Class guy. Should of never been a question that he'd retire as an Eagle. Shame on the front office for not allowing that to happen. They can fix that problem by offering Dawk a DB coaching position. With the "young and talented" DB's that Andy says we have, it would be the right move to bring # 20 back to teach the kids the correct way to secure our defensive back field. All the best Dawk and thank you for being the ultimate warrior for all those years.— edseagles
- How many pure safeties are in the HoF? I hope he gets in, but I'm not liking the odds.— Only in Philly...
- At the very least, he should come back and retire as an Eagle with the announcement made during the 1st home game.— Philly.Tru
- Does this question even have to be asked? How in the world would anyone even consider him not a hall of famer! They should waive the 5 years and put him in now!— Geno D
- I liked Dawkins very much but question whether he's got the resume to back up induction into the HOF. He was all heart and a great leader but I'm afraid that for his position a Superbowl ring is nearly a prerequisite. Hopefully he'll make it.— Jabey
- Dawkins could change the game from the safety position, and did it more than once. I remember a playoff game in particular on one series that the whole game turned around and it was based on three (3) consecutive plays by Dawkins. The Eagles treated him disrespectfully at the end, and if I was him would retire a Bronco. Paybacks are a byatch!— rockinrob
- at first I didn't think he would be a hall of famer, but that 20 sacks and 20 ints club is pretty elite, so I say he has a chance. never forget his speech when they finally won the nfc championship. oh man did that eagle fly— cowboykiller
I am okay with some of you knuckleheads with your air guitar shenanigans but I have never been more disappointed with so called Eagles fans as I am today. Are there really 98 of you that don't think Dawk is a hall of famer. Has meth sales in Philly grown or something? Did you watch him play? So you watch football? Better yet, do you understand football? Shame on you. No sarcasm here, this is genuine, you disgust me.- He played in nine pro bowls, was a great leader of a very successful team, was on the all-decade team, and had every intangible you could want. Pretty much a done deal.— Jim C.
- Ya, and the 25 sack/25 int stat, or whatever it was, is nice, as well.— Jim C.
- Next Stop ? ? Next stop should be Eagles secondary coach!!— BuddyBall92
- To the Hall !!!!!— sunnynsj
