Brian Dawkins
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Brian Dawkins | |
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| Date of birth | October 13, 1973 (age 33) |
| Place of birth |  Jacksonville, Florida |
| Position(s) | Free Safety |
| College | Clemson |
| NFL Draft | 1996 / Round 2/ Pick 61 |
| Pro Bowls | 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 1996-present | Philadelphia Eagles |
Brian Patrick Dawkins Sr. (born October 13, 1973 in Jacksonville, Florida) is an American football player who currently plays free safety for the Philadelphia Eagles. His hard-hitting and great all-around play has helped him become known as one of the best safeties in the NFL.
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[edit] College
A three-year starter at strong safety for Clemson, Dawkins finished his career with 247 tackles and 11 interceptions. He was All-America selection as a senior when his team-high 6 INTs tied him for the conference lead. Dawkins, who was also an outstanding special team’s player, made 35 stops on those units. Dawkins was named the first-team strong safety on Clemson's all-centennial team in 1995.
[edit] Memorable Plays
[edit] 2002
- Brian became the only player in history to have an interception, a quarterback sack, a fumble recovery, and a touchdown reception in one game. This unusual feat included a fake punt, when halfback Brian Mitchell pitched the ball to Dawkins who dodged several Houston players as he ran 57 yards into the endzone, which technically counted as a pass.
[edit] 2003
- In the divisional playoff against the Packers, Dawkins intercepted quarterback Brett Favre in overtime and returned the ball 35 yards to put the Eagles in position to kick the game-winning field goal and advance to their third straight NFC Championship game.
[edit] 2004
- In Week 11 Dawkins intercepted Redskins quarterback Patrick Ramsey in the end zone with under 2 minutes remaining. The pick preserved a 17-14 victory and improved the NFC-leading Eagles' record to 12-1.
[edit] 2006
- In week 15, Dawkins had two forced fumbles and an interception against the New York Giants, helping the Eagles win and enter the playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons.
- In week 16, Dawkins intercepted Dallas quarterback Tony Romo in the end zone while covering Dallas receiver Terrell Owens. This effectively sealed the Philadelphia Eagles' ninth win of the season and secured the team's place in the playoffs.
[edit] Trivia
- In his career with the Eagles, Dawkins has earned a reputation as one of the most dominant defensive players in the NFL, combining speed with hard hitting capabilities.
- Ranks fourth on the Eagles' all-time list with 32 career interceptions.
- In the 2002 season, Dawkins became the first player in NFL history to record a sack, an interception, a fumble recovery and a touchdown reception in the same game, against the Houston Texans.[1]
- Dawkins is also known for twice suplexing wide receivers of the Washington Redskins. Once, in 2003 to Cliff Russell and again, to Laveranues Coles. Both of these were regarded as legal tackles, and both were similar to the German suplex in that they were enacted belly-to-back after the receiver had caught the pass.
- Dawkins is an avid fan of Marvel Comics' Wolverine and is sometimes referred to as Wolverine or as Weapon X.
- Dawkins wears a protective eyeshield due to a laceration to his cornea as a child.
- Sports Illustrated named him as one of seventeen active players that they predicted would ultimately would be voted entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Sporting News also named him one of the top 100 active NFL players.
[edit] External links
- Brian Dawkins at NFL.com.
- Brian Dawkins at the Philadelphia Eagles Official Web Site.
- Brian Dawkins at Yahoo! Sports.
- Brian Dawkins at KFFL.
- Brian Dawkins at Sportsline.
