Long-time Eagles President Joe Banner created a bit of a Twitter firestorm Sunday when he publicly took some of the blame for the end of Brian Dawkins' Eagles career a decade ago.
Banner noted that he's headed to Canton, Ohio, this weekend for Dawkins' Hall of Fame enshrinement, adding, "Many blame me for his departure, which I deserve part of the blame for."
Can't wait to get to Canton on Friday for Dawkins induction to HOF. Many blame me for his departure which I deserve part of the blame for, but I am proud to also have been part of drafting him & signing him to 4 contracts. One of the greatest players and people I have ever known— Joe Banner (@JoeBanner13) July 29, 2018
It's considered one of the great tragedies in Eagles history that Dawkins, one of the most popular players in franchise history, finished his career with the Broncos after a contract dispute following the 2008 season.
Dawkins spent his first 13 seasons with the Eagles and played three more years with the Broncos.
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With his command of the salary cap, Banner helped build an elite team in Philadelphia during his 18 years as owner Jeff Lurie's top assistant. During that period, the Eagles had the sixth-best record in the NFL and the fifth-most playoff wins in the league. But Banner is unfairly remembered more for the Dawkins departure than everything else.
The response to Banner's tweets predictably got a wide array of responses.
One fan said he hopes Dawkins gives Banner the cold shoulder in Canton, a notion Banner shot down:
Your hope will not be granted. https://t.co/1oI86x1tjM— Joe Banner (@JoeBanner13) July 29, 2018
Another Eagles fan said he hopes Banner isn't allowed on the Pro Football Hall of Fame grounds:
You deserve ALL of the blame. Hope they revoke your ticket at the gate. You are joke for what you did. @JoeGiglioSports @brianstartare @realglenmacnow— Mark Bono (@phila76) July 29, 2018
One fan on Twitter asked Banner if he and Dawkins have ever discussed the untimely end to Dawkins' Eagles career:
Yes, multiple times https://t.co/R1rJAN8B3m— Joe Banner (@JoeBanner13) July 30, 2018
Several Eagles fans reacted positively to Banner's tweet, including @JJR:
Appreciate that https://t.co/BPceSFS8MS— Joe Banner (@JoeBanner13) July 29, 2018
But the best response came from @EvilEagle, who tweeted that God punished Banner for letting Dawkins leave Philly by sending him to Cleveland:
Dawkins would probably pray and forgive you. Yeah it hurt to see him wearing a Broncos Jersey, guess The Lord punished you enough when you went to Cleveland Browns. Great job there Joe— EVILEAGLE (@JasonWWalton1) July 29, 2018
