Respect is not given, it is earned.

Brian Dawkins coming down the tunnel as Weapon X.
Photo Courtesy of: www.gcobb.com

Footsteps. It is a term that is used by coaches, athletes, and sports analysts alike. But there have never been footsteps quite like the ones that belong to Brian Dawkins. They had a sound all to themselves. It was a sound that echoed through the roaring crowds that filled stadiums across the NFL for 16 years. It is likely a sound that many professional football players will never forget.

Alge Crumpler, former Atlanta Falcons tight end, probably still wakes up in the middle of the night with a cold sweat running down his forehead remembering the punishing blow that he received from Dawkins during the 2004 NFC championship game.

Watching the video of that hit you can see in Crumpler’s body language that he, along with the millions of people watching across the United States, knew what was about to happen.  There was a brief moment of time where the adrenaline of trying to make a play combined with the pure terror of the ferocious hit that was about to come. Dawkins closed in with the strength of a wrecking ball and the intensity of a jack hammer and set the tone for the rest of the game as Crumpler fell to the turf and Dawkins stood over him. The Eagles went on to win that game.

That was Dawkins as a professional football player. He set the tone. He led the way.

Brian Dawkins making a flying tackle against the New York Giants
Photo Courtesy of: www.broncotalk.net

“Just the intensity and the detail he brought to practice every single day, that's what's going to stand out in my mind. You know, it showed on gameday. That's why he's the best safety I've ever played with or seen play,” said former Eagle and now talk radio host in Houston N.D Kalu, “He was the epitome of leading by example.”

Dawkins was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles out of Clemson in 1996. It didn’t take long for Dawkins to crack the starting lineup for the Eagles. The rest was history as Dawkins went on to become the heart and soul of the Philadelphia defense for 13 seasons and one of the best safeties in NFL history.

When the Andy Reid era began in 1999, legendary defensive coordinator Jim Johnson took over. He went on to mold Dawkins into one of the most versatile and feared safeties in the NFL.

Quiet and soft spoken off the field, Dawkins was always well revered in the city of Philadelphia. He is a spiritual man. An intense man.  A man with morals. A man who many young people should aspire to be.

When he came down that tunnel on gameday though, it was an entirely different story. Dawkins went through a complete transformation the moment he donned that uniform each and every Sunday. In his 224 career games, Dawkins came down that tunnel not as himself, but as Wolverine. Weapon X. The passion and intensity of an entire city running through his veins projected itself on teammates and fans.

Still, with all of that emotion running through him, Dawkins never cursed. He never had to. His goosebump inducing pregame speeches were enough to lift the spirits and hopes of not only his teammates but the entire city of Philadelphia. He brought a type of leadership to the huddle that is completely irreplaceable.

After 16 seasons in the NFL Dawkins is finishing his career with 224 games played, 1131 tackles, 37 interceptions, 37 forced fumbles, 26 sacks, and eight Pro Bowl appearances. Is that Hall of Fame worthy?

I believe so. Dawkins was more than the bone jarring hits that he delivered each and every Sunday. He was a presence on the field. One felt by teammates. He was felt by opposing players and coaches. And his presence was definitely felt by the fans of the Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos. In a time where professional athletes are larger than life, Brian Dawkins was truly one of us. He played and spoke with all of the emotion his body possessed and on every single play he was on field; he gave everything he had for to achieve one goal. That is something Philadelphia fans could always appreciate.

The retirement of Brian Dawkins is the end of an era. It is a fact however that those footsteps will be remembered for a very long time not only in the city of Philadelphia, but across the NFL. Brian Dawkins was a true Philadelphian. He played with all of his heart and soul, leaving everything he had on the field with each and every play. That is one thing that will never be disputed.

Respect is not given, it is earned.