Longtime NFL safety Brian Dawkins announced his retirement today, and in comments to the Philadelphia media, Dawkins demonstrated why he’s been such a respected and beloved man in Philadelphia since the Eagles drafted him in 1996.
Specifically, when Dawkins was asked for his favorite moment as an Eagle, he took it as an opportunity to heap praise on the late Jim Johnson, who was the Eagles’ defensive coordinator for most of Dawkins’ 13 years in Philadelphia. Dawkins named the Eagles’ NFC Championship Game victory after the 2004 season as his proudest accomplishment, and cited the emotion on Johnson’s face in winning that game as the thing he most enjoyed.
Although Dawkins played his final three seasons with the Broncos, the Eagles are celebrating him as one of their own, with head coach Andy Reid issuing a statement praising Dawkins as one of the all-time greats.
“He was the unquestioned leader of our defense,” Reid said. “He will go down as one of the greatest Eagles of all-time and I have no doubt we’ll be celebrating his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”