NFL pushes back after DHS uses Brian Dawkins highlights in immigration video

Brian Dawkins spent 16 NFL seasons building a reputation as one of football’s most intimidating defensive players. Now footage of the Hall of Fame safety has been pulled into a fight he never asked to join.

The NFL has asked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to remove a social media video using Dawkins highlights to promote the agency’s border enforcement message. League spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed the request Monday. AP News

Dawkins says he never approved it

The video, posted Sunday, opens with Dawkins’ trademark pregame entrance before moving through a series of hard hits from his career with the Philadelphia Eagles. The post uses his familiar “The time has come” theme before declaring, “Our time has come,” in connection with a reported migrant caravan approaching the U.S. border. AP News

Dawkins made clear he wanted no part of it, saying he had not given permission for his name, image or likeness to be used.

The Eagles also did not authorize the footage, according to FOX 29 in Philadelphia. Fox 29

DHS leaves video online

The league’s request did not produce an immediate takedown.

As of Monday afternoon, the original video remained on the DHS account, according to Front Office Sports, while another post featuring Dawkins also remained online. Front Office Sports

DHS defended its border-security message, telling the Associated Press that U.S. Border Patrol was monitoring the group and was “playing lockdown defense.” AP News

Dawkins, nicknamed “Weapon X,” played 13 seasons with the Eagles and three with the Denver Broncos, earning nine Pro Bowl selections before entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.

For now, his football highlights remain attached to a government message neither Dawkins nor the NFL approved.