Brian Dawkins
FILE - Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, left, talks with defensive end Marcus Smith (97) during stretching before an NFL football training camp, Monday, Aug. 7, 2017, in Renton, Wash. Marcus Smith III nearly tried to commit suicide because of pressure from football. He went to practice and told coach Pete Carroll and defensive line coach Cliff Hurtt what happened. “He supported me in every way possible. He actually helped me get that therapist, let me know that everything was going to be fine,” Smith said of Carroll. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
NFL players working to ease stigma around mental health help

By Rob Maaddi Oct. 04, 2022 01:31 PM EDT

FILE - Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier looks on during pre-game warmups before an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. Leslie Frazier expected another opportunity to be a head coach in the NFL after a three-year-plus stint in Minnesota from 2010-13. Frazier, the Buffalo Bills’ 63-year-old defensive coordinator, is still waiting for that second chance while doing his best to help young coaches advance their careers. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann, File)
Bills coordinator Leslie Frazier helps young coaches advance

By Rob Maaddi Jul. 05, 2022 03:50 PM EDT

FILE - Brian Dawkins looks on as he recently joined the Philadelphia Eagles scouting department during practice at NFL football training camp, on July 31, 2016, in Philadelphia. Dawkins, a nine-time Pro Bowl safety and four-time All-Pro during 16 seasons with the Eagles and Broncos, has been on a mission to spread awareness about what he calls cerebral wellness since revealing a few years ago that he suffered from depression and had suicidal thoughts early in his playing career. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)
Mental health education is ongoing process for NFL, players

By Rob Maaddi Dec. 14, 2021 06:57 PM EST

FILE - Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller is shown after an NFL football training camp practice at the team's headquarters Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, in Englewood, Colo. A person with knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press, Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, that the Denver Broncos are trading star linebacker Von Miller, the franchise's career sacks leader and Super Bowl 50 MVP, to the Los Angeles Rams for two 2022 draft picks.(AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Von Miller leaves snowy Denver behind for Rams, sunshine

By Arnie Stapleton Nov. 01, 2021 12:52 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) misses the catch against Washington Football Team cornerback William Jackson (23) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Analysis: Calvin Ridley, Lane Johnson show real courage

By Rob Maaddi Nov. 01, 2021 01:20 AM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, file photo, Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Corey Peters (98) stretches before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Los Angeles. Current or former players, along with people in positions of leadership with NFL clubs, have offered differing opinions this week on how pervasive the sorts of racist, homophobic and misogynistic thoughts expressed by Jon Gruden -- in emails he wrote from 2011-18, when he was an ESPN analyst between coaching jobs, to then-Washington club executive Bruce Allen – remain around the sport to this day. (AP Photo/John McCoy, File)
Now question in NFL is: Does Gruden reflect broader culture?

By Howard Fendrich Oct. 13, 2021 04:51 PM EDT

FILE - Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis, in this Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, in Indianapolis. The Colts won 39-33. After five straight victories to open the season with his new team, the Broncos, Manning was on his way to his record fifth MVP award while setting all sorts of league passing marks. The matchup with the Colts in Indianapolis was ballyhooed like the second coming, but despite Manning's brilliance _ three touchdown passes, 386 yards in the air _ his replacement, Andrew Luck, got the win 39-33. “I am kind of relieved in some ways that this game is over,” he said at the end of a long night. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Pick Six: Returning NFL stars and how they fared

By Barry Wilner Sep. 28, 2021 02:32 AM EDT

FILE - Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Juqua Parker (75) and Denver Broncos safety Brian Dawkins (20) meet on the field at the end of an NFL football game in Philadelphia, in this Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009, file photo. Dawkins, the seven-time Pro Bowl safety in 13 seasons in Philadelphia, returned as a Bronco in 2009. He hugged former teammates after the game and blew kisses to the fans as he ran off the field following a 30-27 loss. (AP Photo/Michael Perez, File)
Broncos Eagles 1227

Sep. 28, 2021 12:33 AM EDT

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid instructs his team during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Friday, Aug. 20, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Chiefs' Reid deflects attention as he approaches NFL history

By Dave Skretta Sep. 15, 2021 02:22 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 1, 2020 file photo, Hall of Fame class of 2020 Troy Polamalu speaks at the NFL Honors football award show in Miami. The roster of men entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend of Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, features everything from the prolific passer, to the dominant defender, and not to mention coaches. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Hall of Fame inductions roster is something to marvel at

By Barry Wilner Aug. 06, 2021 03:38 PM EDT

FILE - This Sept. 14, 2017, file photo shows NFL analyst Marshall Faulk speaking during a pre-game show before an NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Houston Texans, in Cincinnati. Marshall Faulk's high school football coach died of COVID-19 early on in the pandemic. The coronavirus hit home for Rod Woodson when he and his family got sick and his daughter's boyfriend lost his father to the disease. They are two of 15 Hall of Famers and 40 current and former players who are part of a community outreach and education initiative to help build COVID-19 vaccination confidence.(AP Photo/Frank Victores, File)
NFL Alumni, CDC fight COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy

By Arnie Stapleton Aug. 02, 2021 02:11 PM EDT

Hall of Fame creating behavioral health program for players

By Barry Wilner May. 06, 2021 11:14 AM EDT
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is forming a behavioral health program seeking solutions to mental and behavioral issues for current and former athletes and...

FILE - Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo addresses the media during a news conference at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., in this Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020, file photo. All four defensive coordinators who will be trying to shut down high-powered offenses in the NFL playoffs this weekend have been head coaches before, providing valuable experience in the conference championships. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Spagnuolo defense perfect complement to elite Chiefs offense

By Dave Skretta Feb. 01, 2021 03:33 PM EST

FILE - In this Aug. 4, 2018, file photo, former NFL safety Brian Dawkins delivers his induction speech at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Dawkins was the heart and soul on defense during the team’s impressive run of success in the 2000s.(AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Hall of Famers Bednarik, Dawkins among Eagles' best picks

By Rob Maaddi Apr. 21, 2020 03:25 PM EDT

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates with fans after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Buffalo Bills Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, in Houston. The Texans won 22-19 in overtime.(AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Determining All-Decade team for 2010s no easy chore

By Barry Wilner Feb. 25, 2020 01:44 PM EST

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, left, his wife Tammy Reid, center, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes celebrate after the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Analysis: From 'Andy Who?' to Super Bowl champion Andy Reid

By Rob Maaddi Feb. 03, 2020 02:30 PM EST

NFL selects finalists for All-Time Team at DB, special teams

By The Associated Press Dec. 02, 2019 07:22 PM EST
Career interceptions leaders Paul Krause, Emlen Tunnell and Rod Woodson are among 30 defensive backs who are finalists for the NFL’s All-Time Team. ...

Philadelphia Eagles' L.J. Fort, top, tackles Tennessee Titans' Adam Humphries during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
Eagles lose backup QB Sudfeld and game to Titans, 27-10

By Rob Maaddi Aug. 08, 2019 11:12 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018 file photo, Former NFL player Brian Dawkins delivers his speech during an induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Brian Dawkins is tackling mental health issues the same aggressive way he took on anyone who dared cross the middle during his Hall of Fame career as a safety for the Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos. Since revealing he suffered from depression and had suicidal thoughts early in his playing career, Dawkins has been on a mission to spread awareness. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins tackling mental wellness head on

By Rob Maaddi Jun. 20, 2019 12:08 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2018, file photo U.S. Air Force F-35 A-fighter jets from 31st Test Evaluation Squadron at Edwards AFB fly over Levi's Stadium before an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders in Santa Clara, Calif. Raytheon Co. and United Technologies Corp. are merging in a deal that creates one of the world's largest defense companies. The merger was announced Sunday, June 9, 2019. United Technologies makes engines for Lockheed Marti Corp.'s F-35 stealth fighter. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)
Oakland Raiders at San Francisco 49ers 11/1/2018

Jun. 10, 2019 09:43 AM EDT