After 16 highly successful NFL seasons with the Eagles and Broncos, Brian Dawkins has decided he won’t be sticking around for the Peyton Manning era in Denver. Using his Twitter account on Monday morning, Dawkins announced his retirement with a message to the fans that read as follows:
“The Lord has blessed me to play in the NFL for 16 years. 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.”
While Dawkins is very old by defensive back standards — he will turn 39 in October — his decision surprises me a little. Having come close to winning a Super Bowl with the Eagles several times but never managing to capture a ring, I would have thought that Dawkins would at least stick around for a season to see if the addition of Manning could bring a Super Bowl to Denver.
The Broncos’ odds have certainly improved since acquiring Manning, but winning a championship in his first season in Denver while coming off a serious injury would be a long-shot. Chances are, Dawkins knows that. He also knows that his production has dropped off dramatically, from 116 tackles in an All-Pro 2009 season to 66 in 2010 and 55 in 2011. Dawkins is one of the better safeties to have played the game and is likely headed to the Hall of Fame, so it’s nice to see him go out while he’s still somewhat on top.
Photo credit: Eric Hartline-US PRESSWIRE
