Dawkins a fatherly figure at home and work

THE DAWK, keepin it real!!! Eagles safety Brian Dawkins is more comfortable in shoulder pads and a helmet than the tuxedo he will wear tonight. But equipment and clothes no longer make this man. When Dawkins is honored by the Greater Philadelphia American Diabetes Association and the Father's Day Council at their Father of the Year awards dinner, he will feel a burn unlike all others. The lump in his throat will dwarf the one from the first of six Pro Bowl selections that many consider the basis for a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "I've been blessed to get a lot of awards," Dawkins said after the Eagles practiced Wednesday, "but there's no award, no trophy, no ring to measure up with fatherhood. This means the most to me." The Father of the Year honor Dawkins receives for balancing a successful career with a strong commitment to family and community is a win for The House. In Dawkins parlance, that's the family unit of wife, Connie, sons Brian Jr., 10, daughter Brionni, 7, and twin girls Chonni and Cionni, almost 14 months old. The twins were born two months prematurely and spent a month in the hospital. Dawkins, who never misses a workout, much less a camp, did what he had to do. No ifs, ands or buts, he told head coach Andy Reid. Family came first, and he stayed home to play Mr. Mom. "I've got four little people in my house that hopefully I will leave a lasting legacy on," Dawkins said. "At the end of the day, this game will pass me by. This game will keep on going once I retire. But I will always be a father to these kids. Some people choose not to be fathers to their children; I'll always be the dad to my children." CLICK it 4 the full read , MUCH love to Dawk!!!!!