Resolution 090175

..Title Honoring and thanking Brian Dawkins for his thirteen years of dedication to Philadelphia Eagles and for serving as a community leader and role model, both on and off the field, to the region's fans. ..Body WHEREAS, In 1996, the Philadelphia Eagles selected Brian Dawkins, a free safety from Clemson University with the 61st pick of the NFL draft; and WHEREAS, On September 1, 1996, Brian Dawkins made his debut as a Philadelphia Eagle against the Washington Redskins. In his rookie season, Dawkins would start in 13 of the 14 games in which he played, recording an impressive 75 tackles, one sack and three interceptions; and WHEREAS, In 2002, Brian Dawkins became the first player in NFL history to record a sack, an interception, a forced fumble and a touchdown in a single game; and WHEREAS, In 2008, Brian Dawkins reached new career milestones, breaking the Eagles record for games played and becoming the tenth member of the 20/20 Club - named for those NFL players who have achieved 20 sacks and 20 interceptions in their career; and WHEREAS, Throughout his career in Philadelphia, Brian Dawkins earned a well-deserved reputation for the intensity with which he played the game of football, making him a natural team leader and an immediate fan favorite; and WHEREAS, In addition to serving as a team leader, Brian Dawkins was a role model for the community, demonstrating his dedication to good sportsmanship, hard work and humility - both on and off the field; and WHEREAS, Brian Dawkins has been active in the Philadelphia community, serving as the regional spokesman for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and raising money and awareness for such causes as the Burn Prevention Foundation, Raines Athletics Football club, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the neonatal unit at Children's Hospital in Philadelphia; and WHEREAS, During his time on the Eagles, Brian Dawkins served as an active member of the Eagles Youth Partnership, donating time and money to the Eagles Book-Mobile, the Eye-Mobile, the Eagles Playground Build and the Eagles Carnival; and WHEREAS, On February 27, 2009, Brian Dawkins became a free agent in the NFL and to the great sadness of Eagles fans, was quickly signed by the Denver Broncos; and WHEREAS, Brian Dawkins finished his career with the Eagles having started 182 of 183 games in which he played and having recorded a stellar 898 tackles, 34 interceptions and 21 sacks; and WHEREAS, Brian Dawkins finished his career with the Eagles having been selected to the NFL's Pro-Bowl seven times and to the First-Team All-Pro five times. Fans named Brian Dawkins to the Philadelphia Eagles 75th Anniversary Team; and WHEREAS, Brian Dawkins finished his career with the Eagles having received the 2002 Burn Prevention Foundation Award, the 2005 Philadelphia Eagles' Walter Payton Man of the Year honor, the 2005 Fan's Choice Award given by the NFL Players' Association, the 2006 Eagles Youth Partnership Dedicated Service Award, the 2007 Home Depot Neighborhood MVP nomination and the 2008 Father of the Year award given by the American Diabetes Association and the Father's Day Council; and WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia thanks Brian Dawkins for his years of dedication and commitment to the Philadelphia Eagles and wishes him luck on the Denver Broncos;1 now therefore RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Brian Dawkins is to be honored and thanked for his thirteen years of dedication to the Philadelphia Eagles and for serving as a community leader and role model, both on and off the field, to the region's fans. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Brian Dawkins as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. ____________________________ 1 Unless the Broncos are playing the Eagles. ..End