Brian Patrick Dawkins (born October 13, 1973), nicknamed Weapon X, is a former American football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for sixteen seasons. He played college football for Clemson University. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft, and played thirteen seasons for Philadelphia. Dawkins played his final three seasons for the Denver Broncos.
Dawkins was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida and first saw his future wife in junior high school. He dated Connie Kerrin while attending William M. Raines High School; she was a majorette while he played football and basketball. They graduated in 1992.
Dawkins attended Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina. A three-year starter at free safety for the Clemson Tigers football team, he finished his career with 247 tackles and 11 interceptions. He received first-team All-ACC Honors in 1995 and was selected by the Associated Press and Sporting News as a second-team All-American as a senior when his team-high six interceptions tied him for the conference lead. He was named the first-team strong safety on Clemson's all-centennial team in 1996 and was selected to their Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009. On January 11, 2013, Clemson University established the Brian Dawkins Lifetime Achievement Award to annually honor a former Clemson player for their performance on the field, contributions in leadership and community service.