It’s the end of a 16 year era in the NFL. Broncos safety and former Eagle Brian Dawkins announced his retirement today via Twitter.
“The Lord has blessed me to play in the NFL for 16 years,” Dawkins wrote. “I would like to thank the Eagles & the Broncos 4 believing In me. I would like 2 thank all my teammates & Coaches that I have been blessed 2 go to battle with. Along with u, the fans 4 helping make my career 1 that i have enjoyed tremendously. In other words. I am announcing my retirement from the NFL.”
The Philadelphia Eagles drafted Dawkins in 1996 in the second round, 61st overall. He spent 13 seasons with the Eagles and earned seven Pro Bowl nods during that time.
Dawkins truly endeared himself to Philadelphia fans, who were outraged when the Eagles traded him to the Denver Broncos four years ago. With the Broncos, Dawkins was selected to another Pro Bowl in 2009. He suffered a neck injury in December of 2011 and missed the remainder of the season with the Broncos.
“Brian Dawkins is one of my all-time favorite players, and one of the best to every put on an Eagles uniform,” Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement Monday.
The Eagles are expected to sign Dawkins to a one-day contract so that he can retire as a Philadelphia Eagle.
