Brian Dawkins has been a Pro Football Hall of Famer for over a couple months now, but he's not getting used to hearing about it.
Dawk will get his Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence at halftime of Eagles-Panthers, so the Eagles legend was around for a few quick questions.
I asked him whether or not he's used to getting introduced as Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins.
"No. I don't know if I ever will, to be honest with you. It's still hard for me to see people wearing my jersey all the time. Like, I still can't believe that people actually wear my jersey with my number on the back. I've been retired for how many years now? Eight years. I don't think that will be something I will ever get used to. I guess there's a part of me that will, I guess the crazy part of me will always be like, 'Did you really deserve that? Did you really deserve all this praise?' That's something that will always be inside me."
He might never get used to it, but for the rest of his life, he'll be introduced as a Hall of Famer. That title will never leave him.
Dawkins said when he thinks of legends in Philly sports, he thinks of guys like Dr. J and Reggie White. To hear people call him a legend is still strange to Dawkins.
But a decade after he last played for the Eagles, you don't need to look far to see dozens of No. 20 jerseys in the stands at Lincoln Financial Field. He's clearly one of the most popular athletes in Philadelphia history.
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While Dawkins no longer serves in an official capacity for the Eagles, he said he'd be open to helping the organization in the future. He even said he'd be willing to watch tape of players before the draft.
So much of Dawkins' Hall of Fame speech was about his battle with depression and suicidal thoughts. He said he's been overwhelmed by the number of folks who have reached out to him from all over the world saying his message helped.
Dawkins will receive his Hall of Fame ring at halftime, but he did get a sneak peek before the game.
David Baker, President of the @ProFootballHOF, explains all of the details that went into @BrianDawkins' ring. #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/2kvlPesBdG— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 21, 2018
