Brian Dawkins grew up in Jacksonville and as a natural athlete gravitated towards sport as an outlet. His high school football coach positioned him at Center, a decision that initially made him want to quit the sport. However, his father stressed the importance of following through on your commitments in life, inspiring him to continue. His father’s strong work ethic and consistent involvement in his life provided Brian with a positive male role model throughout his childhood – something a lot of young people in his community did not have. Brian saw many single mothers trying their best to keep their families together under difficult circumstances, but unfortunately, too many young men were lost to the streets – including several of his close friends. 

Following an exceptional college career at Clemson University, he went on to play 16 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles. Known for his leadership, discipline and passion, Brian also gained a reputation for compassion, authenticity and being a valued sounding board for his teammates. When he retired in 2012, it was with a slew of awards and a sporting legacy as one of the top safeties in NFL history.

In August 2018, Brian was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. While he’d been very guarded as a player, during his powerful speech, he openly discussed the issues that had led him to thoughts of suicide early on in his career. A survival at all costs mindset and an inability to articulate his emotions – typical of the type of environment he grew up in – that was almost his un-doing. But with personal and professional help, Brian developed a disciplined approach to life, greater self-awareness and the ability to open up, gaining the skills he needed to succeed. Brian’s Hall of Fame speech made him realize the potential his life experiences had to help others with similar issues. Many people shared that learning how he overcame his circumstances to be able to live his best life inspired them to do the same. The reaction solidified his goal of a Foundation as the next step in his journey.

The Brian Dawkins Impact Foundation now works in disadvantaged communities in Jacksonville and Philadelphia, dedicated to providing transformative moments and opportunities that can trigger a spark in young people. Young people who are open to seeing bigger possibilities for their lives and just need the tools and inspiration to get there. This in turn can produce positive ripple effects on their families, and ultimately, on entire communities – a legacy of the Foundation that Brian will be proud to leave behind.