What Has Eagles Legend Brian Dawkins Been Up To?

Brian Dawkins enjoyed a 16-season stint in the NFL and is widely accepted as one of the Philadelphia Eagles' most accomplished players. Prior to going pro, Dawkins attended Clemson University, where he exemplified the necessary characteristic and skills to make it big. Notable highlights of his college football career include 251 tackles and two Atlantic Coastal Conference Honors, according to BVM Sports. As noted by the publication, Clemson has since created The Brian Dawkins Lifetime Achievement Award, which "was created with its namesake's legacy and impact in mind," per the Clemson Tigers.

According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Dawkins' professional career kicked off in 1996 after The Eagles drafted him in the 61st spot. Dawkins would spend the majority of his professional career with the team before signing with the Denver Broncos in 2009, per Bleacher Report. Throughout his career, Dawkins showed an intense dedication to the game, which garnered him the nickname "Weapon X" (pointing back to the Marvel character Wolverine), per NBC Sports. Dawkins retired in 2012 after signing a one-day contract to return to his inaugural team, the Eagles, per NFL.com. And while Dawkins' football past has already immortalized him in the minds of football fans, he's accomplished some big things in his second act.

Since his retirement, Brian Dawkins has turned to a very normal career. However, he still works in the realm of sports. In 2012, he landed a sports analyst position with ESPN, per The Wrap. As reported by the publication, Dawkins' new role guaranteed appearances on a slew of shows, including "NFL Live," "NFL32," "Audibles," and "SportsCenter." In 2016, Dawkins rejoined the Eagles as a full-time operations executive, a position he held for two years. In 2018, Dawkins announced he stepped down from the role in the pursuit of another career pivot.

 "I want to thank Jeffrey Lurie, Howie Roseman, Don Smolenski and Coach Pederson for blessing me with the opportunity to return to this great organization," said Dawkins in a statement (via NBC Philadelphia). "I will always cherish the relationships I have within the building and it was a privilege to work side-by-side with so many great people." Despite stepping down, Dawkins did reveal that he would still act as a consultant for the Eagles.  In January 2023, Dawkins returned to the Eagles for a very special purpose. According to CBS Sports, Dawkins was brought on as the Eagle's honorary captain to bolster the team's spirit ahead of the team's possible Super Bowl inclusion.

No two athletes are alike. While some athletes retired too soon and lived to regret it, it appears that Brian Dawkins has found a greater purpose since leaving football. Over the years, the former NFL star has displayed quite a charitable spirit, which has helped serve the needs of countless children and teens. In 2019, Dawkins unveiled the Brian Dawkins Impact Foundation, which has "a mission to help disadvantaged young people, families and communities, while also promoting spiritual, cerebral and physical wellness," per the foundation's website. 

In addition to his philanthropic efforts, Dawkins is a published author who co-wrote "Blessed By The Best: My Journey to Canton and Beyond," which tells his personal journey to NFL stardom through the lens of his religious journey. Dawkins also has quite a knack for giving public speeches, which focus primarily on motivational topics, according to his AAE Speakers page. According to his LinkedIn, as of 2021, Dawkins is also a life coach who aims to introduce people to previously unknown versions of themselves.