Dawkins Steps Down from Full-Time Role with Eagles

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - An eventful day at the NovaCare Complex was capped by the news that soon-to-be Hall of Fame safety Brian Dawkins is leaving his full-time role with the organization and scaling back to a consultancy.

Dawkins, who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer, spent the prior two seasons working as a football operations executive and had decided to step away to pursue other endeavors, citing entrepreneurship and philanthropy.

“I want to thank Jeffrey Lurie, Howie Roseman, Don Smolenski and Coach Pederson for blessing me with the opportunity to return to this great organization," Dawkins said in a statement. "This is a special time in Philadelphia Eagles history and I am grateful to have been a part of the team’s first Super Bowl Championship – something I wanted to help bring to this great city, one way or another."

Dawkins spent 16 seasons in the NFL, the first 13 seasons in Philadelphia from 1996-2008, finishing his Eagles career as the franchise’s all-time leader in games played (183) and interceptions (34). Originally, a second-round pick out of Clemson, Dawkins finished his career with 26 sacks and 37 interceptions, one of just five players in NFL history to record at least 30 interceptions and 20 sacks in a career.

“Brian Dawkins will always be a Philadelphia Eagle," the organization said in a statement. "We greatly appreciate all of Brian’s contributions to our football operations department over the last two seasons and we are excited that he will continue to help us going forward. As an NFL Hall of Famer and a Philadelphia Eagles legend, Brian is able to provide valuable perspective and draw on his extensive experience in the NFL while working in our front office. Our doors will always be open to him and we will support him in anything he does – both professionally and personally – as he continues his post-playing career.”

Dawkins seemed to enjoy working with the players but the life of a personnel executive in the NFL is a grind and it seems like Dawkins doesn't want to make it a full-time career.

"I will always cherish the relationships I have within the building and it was a privilege to work side-by-side with so many great people," he said. "I have put a lot of time in prayer into this decision, and after talking it over with my family and listening to the Lord, I am being called in a different direction as I take the next step in my life and career. Although I am leaving my full-time role in football operations, I will always be a part of the Eagles family and the Philadelphia community. I look forward to continuing to work with the organization as a consultant while I also pursue other endeavors that are extremely important to me and my family’s purpose to inspire hope and increase the minds, bodies and souls of so many to come.”

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen

Want more NFL? Check out John's piece on why the comparison between Jared Goff and Mitchell Trubisky needs a little more nuance at GetMoreSports.com.