Brian Dawkins Ever The Gentleman Even As Weapon X

*Update - Dawkins signed with the Broncos on 2/28/09, this post still holds true, every word, but the EaglesChick is not happy about Dawkins Leaving.

There's one thing I have in common with Brian Dawkins, the love of Wolverine (Weapon X).  Probably the part I look forward to of the games the most is when Brian comes out of the tunnel at the Linc, scratching and clawing just like Wolverine.  There's that force you see, that desire to not give up, to keep clawing and scratching until the very end.

I watched an interview with Brian Dawkins on the NFL network today.  The man never ceases to impress me. On the field he's this amazing player (whom the Eagles would be wise to re-sign until he retires an Eagle), a leader, even a father figure.  He's a force that offenses are forced to reckon with, plan for and above all, respect.

Off the field, he's a gentleman.  A christian man who doesn't curse.  Who prays, who mentors, who leads.  A man that any parent would be glad that their kids idolized, looked up to and modeled their football careers after.  The man is just that worthy.

Against the Cowboys this past Sunday, you could see the intensity in Brian Dawkins' mannerisms, the passion in his playing - two stripped balls, just wow!  The man was on fire.  Did he have something to prove?  Was he playing like a man who on he last leg, hoping for a miracle?  No, he was playing like Brian Dawkins always does - like Weapon X.

Was this his last game as an Eagle (if every fan in Philly had their way, definitely not!)?  Was this his last season wearing the green and silver breath right strip?  Was this the last time for him to come clawing out of the tunnel at the Linc?  I surely hope not, as probably many of you reading this hope not as well.

There are a lot of players who's contracts are up at the end of this season.  Dawkins, Thomas and Runyan are just the top three that come to my mind.  While we know Joe Banner shows no mercy when cutting players even though they are fan favorites (look what happened to our beloved Jeremiah Trotter), I think there's a distinct hope among the Eagles fans that the Eagles realize the worth of Dawkins.  His worth goes well beyond what he's done on the field.  It extends beyond the stripped balls, sacks, tackles and interceptions.  This man is a force that most teams would die for.  He's respected, he's got character, he's a leader and he's a team player.

Let's hope he retires has an Eagle team player.