Home · Sports · Sep 28 archive
NFL Asks DHS to Remove Dawkins Video
Developing
In Short: The NFL has requested the Department of Homeland Security remove a social media video featuring former Eagles safety Brian Dawkins.
The NFL has asked the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to remove a social media video featuring highlights of Hall of Fame safety Brian Dawkins, according to CBS Sports and the Los Angeles Times.
Dawkins, a nine-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro, expressed his frustration over the unauthorized use of his name, image, and likeness in a post on X.
In a statement to CBS Sports, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed the league's request to the DHS.
Dawkins spent the majority of his 16-year NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles, appearing in four consecutive NFC title games from 2001-04 and helping the team reach the Super Bowl in 2004.
The DHS initially posted a video featuring Dawkins with the caption, 'The Border Is Closed,' and followed it with a still photo of Dawkins.
About two hours after the initial post, the DHS responded in the comments section, but both posts remained intact as of early Monday afternoon.
In his own X post, Dawkins said he had not given permission to anyone other than his current business partners to use his name, image, and likeness.
What this adds
The DHS has not responded to the Los Angeles Times' inquiries regarding whether it sought NFL permission to use the content, its plans to remove the content, and its reasoning for choosing Dawkins' imagery.
Background
The National Football League (NFL) has requested that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) take down a video featuring retired Hall of Fame player Brian Dawkins.
What's confirmed
- The NFL has asked the Department of Homeland Security to remove a social media video featuring highlights of Hall of Fame safety Brian Dawkins.
What's still developing
- The video started with a clip of Dawkins saying, "The time has come," then showed a series of his patented booming hits.
- Dawkins addressed the matter himself, writing, "Let's be clear: I didn't give permission for my name, image, and likeness to be used by anybody," he said.
- “The league requested DHS take down the video,” NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy told The Times in an email.
- The Times reached out to the DHS by email and asked if it had initially sought the NFL’s permission to use the content, if it planned on taking down the content as the league requested and why it chose to use Dawkins’ imagery with the posts.