Tag: Hall of Fame

Brian Dawkins reflects on the Eagles’ consistent success during early 2000s

Brian Dawkins reflects on the Eagles’ consistent success during the early 2000s w/ @EdEastonJr

This week, Touchdown Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Brian Dawkins, a Pro Football Hall of Fame member and 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 memories of what made the early 2000s Eagles consistently successful.

“I can use the platform that I’m blessed to have now to just talk about these tests, you and your doctor coming together to get the test,” said Dawkins. “It takes two, you and your doctor, and then two tests, a blood and urine test, to make sure you don’t have kidney disease or you’re not going on that path to have it is extremely important.”

As part of his role as a campaign advocate, Dawkins will ride in a custom float at the 2025 Rose Parade. The float, titled “It’s In Your Hands: It Takes 2,” is designed to empower people to take control of their health.

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Dawkins spent his first thirteen seasons with the Eagles as their defensive leader. He reflected on the winning culture developed during his tenure under then-head coach Andy Reid.

“I would say accountability towards one another and self,” Dawkins explained. “Accountability goes a long way, but then others accountability takes you to the next level when you have that in the building, and when we have that in the building, we love one another. We trusted one another, and we trusted everyone to do what they were supposed to do so that we could make runs at runs year after year.

“We had a coach who knew how to help us reach those goals and those plateaus. Andy (Reid) did a great job on the offense, and Jim Johnson obviously led on the defense for all those years. But we had quality position coaches and the right individuals assigned to help and bring out the best in all of us. But again, you don’t have accountability. You got nothing right. So accountability goes a long way.”

The Eagles appeared in the NFC Championship game for four consecutive postseasons, and they finally broke through in 2004 for Dawkins’ lone Super Bowl appearance as a player.

“Accountability then allows the discipline of the team to rise,” Dawkins said. “You don’t make mistakes on the field with a disciplined team. You don’t make mental mistakes or physical mistakes on the field. You take proper angles and do all the small things; the small things help you have big victories.

“So, ultimately, that’s what we were, year after year. And again, you gotta give. You gotta give Andy (Reid) and Jim (Johnson) and those coaches a lot of respect for that props for that. But ultimately, some of that also came from in the house, like we police one another as players.”

The following links provide more information on Eli Lilly’s It Takes 2 & TestYourKidneys.com.

Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins talks Rose Parade, ‘Weapon X’ nickname

Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins talks about the Rose Parade, ‘Weapon X’ nickname w/ @EdEastonJr

This week, Touchdown Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Pro Football Hall of Famer and Philadelphia Eagles legend Brian Dawkins.

In his interview with Easton Jr., Dawkins discussed representing Boehringer & Lilly’s It Takes 2 health initiative at the Rose Parade, spreading awareness about getting tested for kidney disease and the origin of his ‘Weapon X’ nickname during his playing career.

“I’m excited about all those years of watching the Rose Parade, and I will be participating on one of the floats, driving around, waving at people,” Dawkins said of the event. “They probably won’t know who I am, but hopefully, some will. But the bigger initiative is fun: it takes two initiatives, and knowing that Rob Base’s song, ‘It Takes Two’ from back in the Day.”

Dawkins has seen both of his parents struggle with these risk factors. As he ages, he’s taking his health into his own hands and urging football fans to get the same CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) testing that he does every year. The nine-time Pro Bowler was known for his fantastic play at safety and popular nickname.

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“Weapon X is a part of me that has always been a part of me, even since Little League. I’ve been that type of player growing up, which was extremely emotional,” said Dawkins. “I would cry after losses; I don’t want to shake people’s hands and all that stuff. So that is always a part of me, that extra effort to work harder and outwork everybody around me.

“It’s always been a part of me, but often, it was from a place of anger. I use a lot of anger in a lot of aspects when it comes to that. But as I got older, I became more seasoned and wiser in utilizing that. I recognize that I can use it as passion.”

Dawkins played sixteen seasons in the NFL, most with the Philadelphia Eagles. He eventually finished his playing career with the Denver Broncos.

“Because of my walk with Christ, I understand I can use that same energy as passion, so I began to use that because I knew I could use it as a professional in the National Football League,” said Dawkins. “So, the first rendition that I named was because I didn’t name that part of me, like if, and not everybody names the other part of them, or not everybody knows they have another part, but I named them. So, the first name that I gave that individual was ‘Idiot Man,’ and I called myself ‘Idiot Man’ for the first couple of years in the National Football League. So ‘Idiot Man’ became ‘Weapon X.”

A Marvel Comics fan growing up, the five-time All-Pro first-team honoree identified with a popular X-Men character.

“I just changed it to ‘Weapon X’. Why? Because I love Wolverine, love his tenacity. He takes care of himself and his family, but sometimes, to his detriment, he hurts himself to care for his family,” said Dawkins. “So it’s a deeper dive into the character, not just the peripheral him having claws and all that stuff.

“All that is beautiful, but his character and love for his family drew me into it and allowed that part of me to come out on the game day. That’s a part of me forever; that part of me is still in me. I allow that part of me to come out when I work out now, so let him come out and play every once in a while.”

The following links provide more information on Eli Lilly’s It Takes 2 & TestYourKidneys.com.

Bill Belichick coaching UNC could delay Mike Shanahan’s Hall of Fame bid

Now coaching college football, Bill Belichick will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame next year, competing with Mike Shanahan.

Bill Belichick has returned to football, but not at the professional level.

Belichick has joined the North Carolina Tar Heels as their new head football coach, which means he’ll be two years removed from coaching in the NFL when the Pro Football Hall of Fame names a coach finalist in 2025.

Earlier this year, the Hall of Fame changed its eligibility rules and former NFL coaches now have to be just one year removed from coaching at the pro level to be eligible for Canton. That means Belichick will be eligible for the Hall of Fame when the committee elects the 2026 class next year, as the Denver Gazette‘s Chris Tomasson confirmed earlier this week.

That’s bad news for former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, who was overlooked by voters again this year in favor of Mike Holmgren (who Shanahan beat in Super Bowl XXXII). Now Shanahan will have to compete against Belichick next year, and with Andy Reid set to turn 67 years old next offseason, there might be more competition in the coach category soon.

Eventually, Shanahan will reach the Hall of Fame. It’s unfortunate that he’s been overlooked this long, and Belichick’s candidacy will likely delay Shanahan’s bid even longer, but he should reach Canton one day.

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Florida softball HC Tim Walton inducted into NFCA Hall of Fame

Florida’s softball program has developed in a national powerhouse over the past two decades under Tim Walton, who will be inducted into the NFCA Hall of Fame Friday night.

Florida softball head coach [autotag]Tim Walton[/autotag] will be inducted into the National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association (NFCA) Hall of Fame in Dallas, Texas on Friday night.

Walton holds a 980-238 (.805) record in 19 seasons with the Gators and a 1,103-302 record as a head coach — he spent three years with Wichita State before taking over at Florida in 2006. Walton has transformed UF’s softball program into a national powerhouse entering his 20th year.

The Gators have made the NCAA Tournament every year under Walton, excluding the 2020 season when the tournament was canceled. Florida has made it to the Women’s College World Series 12 times, reached the finals five times and claimed back-to-back national championships in 2014 and 2015.

Walton has led the program to eight SEC regular season titles, six SEC Tournament titles and won five SEC Coach of the Year Awards. Walton’s athletes have earned 53 NFCA All-America honors and 79 All-SEC nods.
He is also an assistant coach with the USA Women’s National Team.

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Drew Brees explains sideline exchange with Johnny Manziel at Texas-Texas A&M

Drew Brees was spotted shaking hands with Johnny Manziel before kickoff between Texas and Texas A&M. He says he ‘always wanted to be an Aggie’

The stars were out for last weekend’s rivalry game between the Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies. And they weren’t limited to just famous alumni like Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel. Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees made the trip to Kyle Field, too, and his presence there didn’t go unnoticed.

There were dozens of cameras on hand for the high-profile matchup, and one of them caught an exchange between Brees and Manziel prior to kickoff, which he spoke about on “The Herd” with Colin Cowherd this week.

“I always wanted to be an Aggie,” Brees had laughed, shaking hands with Manziel. Brees, of course, was a college football star at Purdue — and before that, he achieved a sensational career at Austin Westlake High School. As a Texas native, would have stayed in-state if given the chance. But why the affinity for Texas A&M?

“So both my parents went to Texas A&M,” Brees began. “And I grew up in Austin, Texas which ironically the University of Texas was right down the road. I used to walk down to Memorial Stadium and buy scalp tickets in the cheap seats there to watch UT play back in the early Nineties. I loved Texas A&M but I was kind of outsider in Austin being an Aggie fan.”

Had he gotten his way, Brees says, he would’ve relished the opportunity to bring his parents’ alma mater into the modern age.

“A&M always had the reputation as being a hardnosed football program. Great defensive linemen, great linebackers, defensive ends, running backs and tight ends. They certainly weren’t known for their quarterbacks and passing game. I always wanted to be that guy to bring A&M into the next generation with their evolution of the passing game,” Brees grinned.

Instead, Brees went out of state to write a different story in his football life. He earned Heisman Trophy votes himself (finishing fourth in 1999 and third in 2000) while airing it out with the Boilermakers, which helped him get drafted highly after turning pro. The skills he developed there bore fruit when he joined the Saints in 2006, and the rest is history.

Brees continued: “Unfortunately I wasn’t offered by them and had to go out of state to Purdue. It’s funny because I tell people now it’s the best thing that ever happened to me. I would’ve been handing the ball off to you know, Dante Hall and some of these other guys at Texas A&M, instead I got to go up and play for Joe Tiller at Purdue and throw the ball 50 times a game. So I think it worked out okay.”

Decades later, Brees has a Super Bowl ring, dozens of NFL records in his name, and a spot waiting for him at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That’s a career anyone can be proud of, though some Aggies fans may be left wondering about what may have been.

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Former Seahawks HC Mike Holmgren named finalist for 2025 Hall of Fame class

Former Seahawks HC Mike Holmgren named finalist for 2025 Hall of Fame class

On Tuesday morning, a select few finalists were named for the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025, and the 12th Man will surely recognize a familiar name. Among the finalists is former Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren!

At the end of October, former Seahawk head coaches Mike Holmgren and Chuck Knox were named semi-finalists for the Hall of Fame this coming year. While it is unfortunate Knox did not quite make the cut (as he is overqualified at this point) it is still great to see that Holmgren has reached an important step to potentially be enshrined in Canton. Holmgren, as well as those mentioned in the tweet above, will be considered alongside 15 modern-era players to join the Hall of Fame.

Holmgren helped take the Seahawks to new heights, and elevate them to relevancy during the early-to-mid-2000’s. Seattle under Holmgren had five-consecutive playoff appearances, four-straight NFC West titles, and a trip to Super Bowl XL – which should have been theirs.

The 12th Man could potentially see two Seahawk legends make their way to Canton this year. Holmgren is a finalist, and former safety Earl Thomas was named a semifinalist in his first year of eligibility.

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Hall of Fame voters snub Mike Shanahan in favor of coach he beat in Super Bowl XXXII

Mike Holmgren, who lost Super Bowl XXXII to Mike Shanahan, has advanced over Shanahan as a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

In a huge shock, former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan has been overlooked by voters for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

The Hall of Fame announced coach, contributor and senior finalists on Tuesday and Shanahan inexplicably did not make the cut. Ralph Hay (contributor), Mike Holmgren (coach) and Maxie Baughan, Sterling Sharpe and Jim Tyrer (seniors) have advanced in the voting process.

Shanahan, Dan Reeves, Bill Arnsparger, Tom Coughlin, Mike Holmgren, Chuck Knox, Marty Schottenheimer, George Seifert and Clark Shaughnessy were the nine semifinalists in the coach category this year. Holmgren has advanced from that list with Shanahan being a massive snub.

Holmgren won one Super Bowl as a head coach and ironically, he lost Super Bowl XXXII to Shanahan’s Broncos following the 1997 season. Shanahan won two Super Bowls as a head coach.

The 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class will be announced during the “NFL Honors” on Feb. 6 before Super Bowl LIX.

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Cowboys safety Darren Woodson among Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalists, again

Former Cowboys safety and three-time Super Bowl Champion Darren Woodson makes it to the semifinal list for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. | From @ArmyChiefW3

Former Dallas Cowboys safety Darren Woodson has moved forward into the next phase of the 2025 Hall of Fame class process.

For the third straight year and eighth time overall, Woodson makes the semifinal list as Dallas’ all-time leading tackler once again hopes to be enshrined. He is the only Cowboys player to make the list in 2025.

Woodson was a catalyst on all three Cowboys Super Bowl-winning teams in the early ’90s. He was a three-time first-team All-Pro and was selected to five Pro Bowls during his 12-year career. His 827 solo tackles are unofficially the most in Cowboys history.

He was beaten to the Hall by three other safeties who played in his era. Tampa Bay’s John Lynch, Green Bay’s Leroy Butler, and Philadelphia’s Brian Dawkins, all made it to the Hall of Fame despite Woodson having more Super Bowl rings than all three combined.

Dallas finished first in total defense in 1992 and 1994 while allowing the fewest points in the 1993 season.

While he wasn’t the first person to do so, Woodson helped shape how defenses counter the modern passing game. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound college linebacker converted to safety in the NFL but would also play in the slot. He helped with tackling inside the box and was fast enough to play on the back end of a defense.

The Hall of Fame committee will have some interesting debates to untangle. The biggest thing Woodson has going for him is his three Super Bowl wins, the same argument as first-time eligible and two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Eli Manning.

If elected, Woodson would be the 33rd Cowboys player to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well as the 17th member to be in both the Hall and the Cowboys ring of honor.

Cowboys defenders Chuck Howley and DeMarcus Ware were the last Dallas players to be inducted back in 2023.

Broncos great Simon Fletcher elected to Colorado Sports Hall of Fame

Simon Fletcher, who ranks second in Broncos history with 97.5 sacks, will be added to the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 2025.

Former Denver Broncos pass rusher Simon Fletcher will be added to the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the 2025 class, the selection committee announced on Wednesday.

Fletcher will be joined in next year’s class by Mikaela Shiffrin, Troy Tulowitzki, Larry Brown, Theodore “Bubbles” Anderson and Lisa Van Goor.

Fletcher, 62, ranks second in Broncos history with 97.5 career sacks, only trailing Von Miller (110.5 sacks). Fletcher played in Denver from 1985-1995, never missing a game during his 11-year career in the NFL (172 games).

Fletcher had five-straight seasons with double-digit sacks from 1989 to 1993 and he helped the team reach Super Bowls following the 1986, 1987 and 1989 seasons. He was inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame in 2016.

Fletcher and the five other members of the 2025 class will be recognized at a Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Banquet next year. The Colorado Sports Hall of Fame and Museum are located at Empower Field at Mile High, home of the Broncos.

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1 stat proves Eli Manning is basically guaranteed to enter Hall of Fame (eventually)

Like it or not, Eli Manning is a lock for the Hall of Fame now.

If you stripped away Eli Manning’s two (kinda miraculous) Super Bowl wins and the fact that he played with the New York Giants, you would not think his NFL career was anything close to Hall of Fame worthy. But any contrary thinking to Manning’s uninspiring resume (he didn’t even have a 2-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio! he averaged more than one turnover per game! he barely completed 60 percent of his passes in the easiest passing era ever!) is now probably moot.

On Wednesday, Manning was named one of 25 modern-era semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In fact, he was only one of six first-year eligible players named a semifinalist. That’s a key distinction, dearest readers.

Because according to pro football historian Jack Silverstein (@readjack.bsky.social on BlueSky), Manning is now basically a lock to one day enter the Hall of Fame based on his being a first-ballot semifinalist. Be it this year or somewhere down the line, Manning will soon get a bronze bust of his head.

Dread it. Run from it. Destiny still arrives for a middling quarterback who would have the same reputation as Joe Flacco if he didn’t play in the cultural capital of the United States:

Man, that’s honestly kind of wild to me. We need better standards for the Pro Football of Fame if Eli Manning really might be a first or second-ballot entry. That man was not that good. Far from it. Sigh.

Though, I suppose if someone lie Terry Bradshaw, of all people, is a Hall of Famer, then I guess Manning deserves it, too.

Dearest readers, we jumped this shark long ago.