Philadelphia lost a sports icon Saturday when Brian Dawkins — the heart, soul and passion of the Philadelphia Eagles — signed a new contract to play in another city. For Eagles fans, I feel your pain, your anguish and your sorrow. Matt Bowen
Philadelphia lost a sports icon Saturday when Brian Dawkins — the heart, soul and passion of the Philadelphia Eagles — signed a new contract to play in another city. For Eagles fans, I feel your pain, your anguish and your sorrow. But I remind you that, although we want to believe that good things never come to an end, the NFL business will always disappoint us as fans.
We all know that Brian Dawkins should be an Eagle forever, but we also all know that when it comes to dollars and cents and age and speed, this league is cruel to players. Yes, Dawkins can still play the game to a high standard — a Pro Bowl standard — but just not in Philly anymore. There will be no more grand entrances during introductions, no Eagles fight songs with Dawk leading the way and no intimidator manning the middle of the field. It will be difficult -- in fact, near impossible -- those first few games under clear September skies not seeing that intensity residing behind the black visor. Yes, Philly fans, the emotional leader of your city has moved on.
But as unfortunate as it sounds, this is the professional sports culture we live in as fans and players. Your hearts are torn, splattered beneath your feet today, while Dawkins has to begin anew, with new teammates, new uniform colors and new goals. He was emotional in his first press conference as a Denver Bronco, and I can understand why.
I was never the caliber of player that Brian Dawkins was — in fact, I can’t even get into the discussion at the coffee house when it comes to playing safety — but with free agency comes new challenges and new futures for any player who wants to wear the NFL shield on the front of his jersey. As I wrote last week about my own encounter with free agency, there are places that become special to you as a player, even in this day of big dollars. I went to Washington to play for the ‘Skins, but my heart and passion for the game were on Lombardi Avenue in Green Bay, Wis. Even for a small-time player in the grand scheme of this game, I felt slighted, ignored and unwanted. The Packers refused to match an offer sheet I received from Washington, and suddenly, my locker inside the hull of Lambeau Field was gone — given to the next guy to wear my number, play my position, steal my dreams.
Dawkins must have a similar feeling — except that he was the leader of the Eagles team, not some young safety trying to make a living playing professional football. Money? I’m sure it played a part in the Eagles’ decision because he proved his worth time and again in your city, and still the Eagles decided it was time to part ways. Yes, there will be a press conference and sound bites in the near future explaining that it was the best move fort the organization. But I completely understand if you don’t buy a single word of it. Somewhere, somehow, there is something to be said about trust and honor.
Just not in the NFL, my friends.
And so, you will have to move on, just as Tampa did this past week with Derrick Brooks and the Cowboys did with Emmit Smith and the 49ers did with Joe Montana. Just as I did as a young kid here in Chicago. I went to my first Bears game when I was in the fourth grade — wrapped in a snowsuit in the December snow, next to my old man, watching “Sweetness” rush for over 100 yards in a victory over the Colts.
Years later, my Bears ran Walter Payton out of town. I now live four miles from Solider Field, along the icy, bitter shores of Lake Michigan in the shadow of one of the most magnificent skylines our country has to offer — and I still haven’t gotten over it. The Bears forced my hero to retire.
However, Dawkins still has to the desire to play and the talent to play, so he had options — as all players do at some point in our careers. Options to keep playing, options to sign contracts and options to feel that rush when we run out of the tunnel on Sundays. It never leaves us.
And they haven’t left Brian Dawkins — except in Philadelphia.
i have been a life long eagles fan,but the poor management is a real put off. Because of this i have lost interest.
I don't blame Dawkins one bit, he feels disrespected by Philly so he's going where they want him, period. Good for you Dawkins... Philly will never win with the fat guy in charge...
Great write as usual Matt...glad to hear that you still wanted to be a Packer, I felt at the time Sherman made a mistake letting you go, but in retrospect that was one of many...the unfortunate part for Dawkins is that Denver didn't offer him a Snyder type deal, 9 million for essentially 2 years is a fair price for a player of his caliber and experience. Makes you wonder if Jim Johnson wasn't dealing with his own medical issues (wish him well) if he would've made a push to keep him...
I feel totally let down by this organization. Time and again the Eagles do the dumbest things and still come in way under the cap. They should have spent the money to keep Dawk. He was the standard of what an Eagle should be. He was a pillar of the Philadelphia community. He will be greatly missed, especially on Sundays.
I have loved the Eagles since I started to follow football, but I have to tell you, today there is a big hole in my heart. I hope all of you who attend the games wear a Bronco's jersey or the color orange. Let the FA know how we feel!
Great read Matt...
I remember when we told Water it was time to retire or he would be let go. What a shame it is sometimes with the great players in this league.
Hey, we got Neal Anderson to replace the Greatest of All Time! Joke.
Keep 'em coming Matt. You guys here at the NFP have been awesome all weekend.
Matt, it has been a tough couple of days......Eagle management, i have no words to describe my disgust for them
Matt- you forgot Favre leaving the Packers. THAT was traumatic! Or replacing Ray Nitschke. THAT was traumatic! Or 4th and 26! Oops- I got carried away.
I also feel bad that Dawkins is not going to retire as an Eagle.
I just love watching this guy play, and I would hate to see him leave my team. What a special player.
I'm a Pats fan and I remember a game years ago where Brady was asked about a pick he threw. He went into elaborate detail about the coverage he saw, and the play the Pats were in, and how he made the right read and a very good throw...except Dawkins was in coverage. Brady said he failed to account for the presence of one of the games best and that "the right read was acturally to throw away from Dawkins."
Brady spoke with such great respect for the guy.
I feel the pain of Eagles fans. From an outsiders perspective they've had what? A decade to find a couple of WR's who can play? They seem to be the only team in the league who can't find them.
Dawk will always be loved in Philly. Eagles FO seems to be making mistake after mistake since Friday. Lets give them the benefit of the doubt. Never say never on signing TJ or trading for Q, maybe trading or picking up (If hes released) Holt. Even without signing a wideout I still think we will be OK.
Anyway seeing Dawkins in anything other thanEagles green will be traumatic. He will always be an Eagle thoug. His leadership will be missed
Letting Joe Montana go when Steve Young had actually put up some fine stats as his backup.
Just like the Eagles and their great backup safety that played to or above Dawkins' level!
Ooooopps!
Hopefully all sharp objects were removed from Tipper's home before the announcement.
I've been trying to come to grips with Dawkins no long being an Eagle but I just can't. 3 days later and I still feel absolutely sick over it, its the same feeling I get when the Eagles lose the NFC championship game only this time there is no "next year" when it comes to Dawkins. Eveything about this REEKS. When you're $48 million under the cap you can afford to bring back the HEART & SOUL and REAL LEADER of the team for 2 years $9 million. Especially when you have zero depth at the safety position and certainly no player that's anywhere near the level Dawkins to replace him in the lineup - let alone the locker room. It just a COLOSSAL DISASTER. Nothing about this move makes any sense. I can't even begin to talk about how much we love, respect, and admire Brian Dawkins. Class act and great great player. I forget which writer said it (someone on from the Inquierer or Daily News on philly.com) but he nailed it by saying something to the effect that we love Dawkins because, yes he's a great player, but also because as a Philadelphia fan you loved his passion, you never felt like you cared more than he did. Sounds strange but as a fan you do feel like you care more about your team than the players do a lot of the time. Watching Dawk transform into Wolverine and go nuts 100% of the time every single down of every single game, we certainly never felt like he didn't want it more than anyone. He will be missed. Missed more than any other athelete I have ever watched play. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go drown my sorrows in a Case of Bud Heavies and order my Orange #20 jersey.
This is so typical of the mismanagement of the Eagles front office this decade. Why don't you get rid of Banner and Heckert, and get some people that know how to build a team to win at the next level, and not be just good enough to contend.Good Luck B Dawk!!!
Wow, dawkings wanted to stay, the price would have been very reasonable, even without his leadership value. Go in a different direction? With his position being at least solid , they might have focused their attention and resourses, on an "in need" area. NOw their new direction creates another in need spot.Sounds like multiple directions are their choice.
Listen to Dawkins talk with Derrick Gunn (philly sportscaster)he can't even make it through, he's too emotional. He absolutely wanted to be back, the Eagles just didn't show him the respect he earned and deserves
http://csnphilly.com/pages/player?is_popup=1&feedID=698&vidID=6228&startclip=1&ol=1&r=132&af=3&dord=mr
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Mar 01, 2009
02:18 PM
Even as a Cowboys fan, I was sad to see Dawk go. There was just something about seeing that dude compete against us that makes the NFC East so fun to watch....
And to go to Denver? Why? Surprised the Skins didn't offer him about $40 mil.