In some news not related to the draft, the Philadelphia Eagles plan to retire Brian Dawkins’ number – No. 20.
Dawkins joins seven other Eagles to have their number retired. The ceremony will be on September 20, when the Eagles host division rival, the New York Giants.
“Brian was a guy that you always had to account for,” current Eagles quarterback Michael Vick said. “The fact that they had sophisticated blitz schemes didn’t help and they were able to maximize his potential…That’s why he retired a Philadelphia Eagle, because that’s where his best moments were.”
Many people know the impact that Dawkins hits with, but Vick can rely it. The two met in a playoff game in 2002 when Vick was a Falcon. In that game, Vick admittedly took the hardest hit of his entire football career.
“The only thing I can remember is hitting the ground, sliding on my back, being in pain, and counting five or six stars that were in the sky,” Vick said. “When he hits you, he brings everything out.”
Dawkins had 233 tackles, 5 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 4 forced fumbles in his three seasons with the Broncos. He was a leader on and off the field, and he’s made a huge difference in the community. That’s why his name should go in the Broncos Ring of Fame.
The rest of those career numbers – 1,169 tackles, 26 sacks for 227 yards lost, 37 interceptions (2 returned for touchdowns), and 36 forced fumbles – those are etched in Eagles history. That’s why he will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as an Eagle.
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