Longtime Philadelphia Eagles safety Brian Dawkins was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2018 by the Hall's board of selectors Saturday. Here's what you need to know about Dawkins, who will be inducted in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 4:
Résumé: Safety, Philadelphia Eagles, 1996-2008; Denver Broncos, 2009-11
Why he was selected: Dawkins was one of the elite safeties of his era. He made nine Pro Bowls and was named first-team All Pro four times during his 16-year career, racking up 37 interceptions, 120 passes defensed and nearly 900 tackles in that span. Nicknamed Weapon X, the second-rounder out of Clemson was a tone-setter in the locker room during the Eagles' long run of success during the 2000s and an enforcer in the middle of the field. His ferocious style of play and embrace of the fan base helped turn him into one of the most beloved athletes in Philadelphia history.
Remember this? Dawkins' hit on Atlanta Falcons tight end Alge Crumpler during the 2004 NFC Championship Game is one of the more celebrated moments in Eagles postseason history, and representative of the fearless, attacking nature Philly fans gravitated toward. Crumpler held onto Michael Vick's 31-yard offering down the left seam in the second quarter, but was slow to get up and struggled to get back to the huddle after Dawkins leveled him in the chest with his right shoulder. Their physicality established, the Eagles went on to to win 27-10 and advance to the Super Bowl.
