Brian Dawkins, a safety who played the final three seasons of his 16-year NFL career with the Broncos, was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame here Saturday.
9NEWS was the first to report Dawkins' election. In getting the nod, Dawkins catapulted past another former Broncos safety, John Lynch, who wasn't elected even though he was finalist for a 5th consecutive year.
Jacksonville Jaguars left tackle Tony Boselli, who grew up in Boulder and played at Fairview High School, also fell short of election.
“We’re very happy for Brian Dawkins on his well-deserved election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” Broncos President & CEO Joe Ellis said. “Here in Denver, Brian made multiple Pro Bowls as an inspirational leader for our team and a standout in the community.”
The 5 modern-era players who were elected into the Hall of Fame in 2018 were Dawkins, middle linebackers Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher and receivers Randy Moss and Terrell Owens. Lewis, Urlacher and Moss were eligible for the first time. Senior nominees Jerry Kramer and Robert Brazile were also elected, as was contributor nominee Bobby Beathard.
Dawkins was one of the most electric and popular NFL safeties during his 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1996 to 2008. During that time, he earned 5 Pro Bowl appearances and 4 times was named First-Time All Pro.
Dawkins currently works in the front office of the Eagles who will play the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl LII Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Dawkins signed with the Broncos under new head coach Josh McDaniels in 2009. Dawkins was terrific that season, making another Pro Bowl before injuries caught up to his hard-hitting, body-sacrificing style of play in 2010 and 2011.
Dawkins leadership reached its apex during the offseason lockout leading into the 2011 season. He organized and paid for, workouts for Broncos players with local performance coach Loren Landow.
The Broncos went 4 and 12 in 2010 but came back to win the AFC West title in 2011.
"In order for us to stay together and have any type of chance to have any type of success somebody needs to do something to bring people together,’’ Dawkins said.
Dawkins' election was in turn a blow to Lynch, a safety who played 11 seasons with Tampa Bay and 4 for the Broncos and is in each teams' Ring of Fame.
Lynch not only was a top 15 finalist for a 5th time, he had finished in the top 10 in votes the previous 2 years. Lynch did not crack the top 10 this year.
Boselli made the top 10 voting for a second consecutive year.
