10 greatest Philadelphia Eagles of all time

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – JANUARY 11: Brian Dawkins #20 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after a play against the New York Giants during the NFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 11, 2009 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

5. S Brian Dawkins

He ended his career in the Mile High City but it all began in Philadelphia for safety Brian Dawkins. A second-round pick by the Eagles in 1996 from Clemson University, his passion for the game was evident.

“I played the game the way [the fans] would play it if they had a chance to strap on a uniform for one game,” said Dawkins to Matt Mullin of PhillyVoice.com in an interview two years ago. “If for whatever reason, the Lord blessed them with the ability to go out and run, hit, jump, play fast, know the game plan, and they get to go out, one shot. You would not go out and be calm. You would not go out and hand the ball back to the ref…”

During his 13 seasons in the City of Brotherly Love, Dawkins picked off 34 passes, tied for the franchise high with Bill Bradley and Eric Allen. There were also 16 fumble recoveries and all told, he returned three of those impressive 50 takeaways for touchdowns.

The physical defender, part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2018, was named to the Pro Bowl nine times (seven with the Eagles) and was an All-Pro four times with Philadelphia.

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