Brian Dawkins starred at safety for Clemson and was named All-ACC First Team and All-American Second team his Senior year. In 2009 he was inducted to Clemson Athletics’ Hall of Fame and by 2013 Clemson University established the Brian Dawkins Lifetime Achievement Award- annually given to former Tigers for their exploits on the field as well as their leadership and community involvement. In 1996 the Philadelphia Eagles selected Brian with the 61st pick overall in the second round of the NFL Draft.

Dawkins played thirteen seasons with Philadelphia exemplified by leadership, passion, and bone-jarring hits. Dawkinshelped lead the Eagles to the Super Bowl in the 2004 season while playing in multiple NFC Championship games. In 2008, Dawkins would go on to sign a five year contract with the Denver Broncos, where he eventually retired. In his highly decorated 16 years in the NFL, he would be a 9x Pro-Bowl selection, 6x All-Pro, NFC Champion (2004), NFL Man of the Year (2008), NFL All Decade Team of the 2000’s, member of the Philadelphia Eagles 75^th Anniversary Team, and had his #20 jersey retired. 

In 2016, Brian was hired as a full-time Football Executive for the Philadelphia Eagles. He would retire from that position in the summer of 2018 shortly after receiving his first Super Bowl ring. Brian Dawkins is a Class of 2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee and was enshrined on Hall of Fame Weekend on August 2, 2018.  He is the first Clemson football alum to be selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.