( 4UMF ) NFL Great Retires After 16 Seasons:

Strong safety Brian Dawkins, formally of the Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles has retired from the NFL today at the age of 34.  An all time great for the Eagles, Dawkins was the leader of an Eagles defense that made it to 3 consecutive NFC Championship games, and 1 Super Bowl appearance.

A nine-time Pro Bowler, he was named a first-team All Pro five times, including as recently as 2009. He spent the first 12 years of his career in Philadelphia, and will retire with 37 interceptions, 26 sacks and 1,169 tackles compiled across 224 games.

As first ballot Hall of Famer, Dawkins calls it quits after battling with severe neck injuries the past few seasons as a Denver Bronco.

The Broncos signed SS Mike Adams this offseason to replace Dawkins.

Story @ Urban Sports