Eagles legend Brian Dawkins reveals mindset after signing with the Broncos in 2009 w/ @EdEastonJr
This week, Touchdown Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Brian Dawkins, a Pro Football Hall of Fame member and a Philadelphia Eagles legend.
In his interview with Easton Jr., Dawkins discussed representing Boehringer & Lilly’s It Takes 2 health initiative, spreading awareness about getting tested for kidney disease, and his mindset deciding to leave the Eagles after 13 years and finishing his career with the Denver Broncos and advice for players entering the NFL next spring.
“My parents both have type two diabetes and my mom, my father, is up and down when it comes to his high blood pressure. My mom is under control for the time being, so with that being said, they fit the demographic of potentially having that,” said Dawkins. “Once I found that information, I sent it to them and their caregivers to ensure they got the test. And then it’s also for my friends and family that they fall into that category. I’m blessed to be able to speak to people because even in retirement, one of the main things I talk about is taking care of your body, your health, and being proactive.”
This winter, Dawkins has joined Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly on their It Takes 2 initiative to spread awareness about kidney health at the 2025 Rose Parade.
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Dawkins didn’t want to leave Philadelphia during contract negotiations but understood the evolution he needed to make in a new city and on a new team.
“One of the things that I learned going from Philadelphia to Denver is how to approach the next version of what you’re going to become and how to approach how to go after it,” Dawkins explained. “What I mean by that is we often hear people, and we do because I did it for a long time in my life. Are you going, and you do things to prove people wrong?
“I’m going to prove that person wrong. I’m going to prove that, and you use it as fuel. You can use it as fuel to go out and perform at a high level, to do more than your father would do, if that, not that person saying what they said, that’s a great energy source, but what I develop is a mindset of, no, I’m going to go, and I’m going to prove myself right. Imma prove myself right.”
In 2009, Dawkins signed a five-year, $17 million contract with the Broncos and played in two more Pro Bowls, including being named second-team All-Pro at the age of 36.
“I’m gonna use what you just said to fuel my workouts. Yeah, I’m still using that as fuel. I’m going to prove myself right so you no longer have power over me. It’s not about you anymore,” said Dawkins. “It’s completely about me and what I’m about to do. So when you have that mindset again, you’re you; it’s all about you. It’s about nobody else. It’s all about you. “
Dawkins’ playing career ended after the 2011 season. He would sign a one-day contract in 2012 and retire from the Eagles. He shared his preference for the type of player he was and what he expects from players entering the next April’s NFL Draft.
“I love a pullback person, someone you must tell to slow down, not speed up,“ said Dawkins. “But your coach should not have to ask you to give more. Your coach should not have to say to you to finish. Your coach should not have to tell you to do anything other than help you slow down so that you can correct your steps and your angle.
“You should be full out and speedy in everything you do until the coach tells you to slow down. You don’t ask yourself to slow down. You go max, you go full speed. So that’s what I would tell them to do. You use those two things in those two forms. I believe you’ll be a success in what you do.”
The following links provide more information on Eli Lilly’s It Takes 2 & TestYourKidneys.com.
