SUPER FOLES CHAMPS
Eagles make history in their usual dramatic style with victory over Patriots
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. » Eagles icon Brian Dawkins was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, a reward for 16 scintillating seasons, in only his second year on the ballot.
Wide receiver Terrell Owens, who also played for the Eagles, was also among the local additions to the class. Hall of Fame spots also went to wide receiver Randy Moss, middle linebackers Brian Urlacher and Ray Lewis, offensive lineman Jerry Kramer, Robert Brazile and executive Bobby Beathard.
“This is a tremendous honor,” Dawkins said. “I’m not going by myself. There are a lot of people that helped me along the way.”
Dawkins, 44, was leading a crowd of fans in the Eagles’ fight song shortly after learning the good news — outdoors in the snow, no less. Since stepping away from the game following the 2011 season, Dawkins returned to the Eagles in a support role. He’s a football operations executive, working in scouting, helping in practices and giving individual instruction to players.
Though Dawkins was hopeful he’d get the Hall of Fame nod last year, the timing couldn’t be better as the Eagles oppose the Patriots in Super Bowl LII Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
“It means that the City of Philadelphia is getting what it deserves — to celebrate,” Dawkins said. “And we’re going to celebrate this thing big-time.”
A second-round pick in 1996, Dawkins played 13 seasons with the Eagles, making nine trips to the Pro Bowl.
Dawkins intercepted 37 passes, forced 28 fumbles and notched 26 sacks in a career in which he spent the last three years with the Denver Broncos. He set aside any bitterness that then-Eagles executive Joe Banner low-balled him after the 2008 season, letting him walk away in free agency. He retired with the Eagles after signing a one-day contract.
Owens, 44, caught 1,078 passes for 15,934 yards (14.8 average) and 98 touchdowns in 219 games spread among five teams.
Owens led the Eagles with 77 receptions for 1,200 yards (15.6 average) and 14 touchdowns in the 2004 season despite playing in just 14 games due to a fractured leg. He returned after an accelerated rehab to catch nine passes for 122 yards (13.6 average) in a 24-21 loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville.
Dawkins had six tackles in that Super Bowl setback.
Owens was suspended the following season after seven games for conduct detrimental to the team, ending his association with the Eagles.