Brian Dawkins was the type of person that if you had the privlege of spending time with, you became a better person because of it. He was the perfect role model in an era of horrible ones. Players like Brandon Marshall, Ron Artest, Milton Bradley and Sam Hurd have squandered their talents because of their poor life choices.

Dawkins was one of the greatest to ever play the game, but you wouldn't know it by listening to him. He is as humble as they come which says something for a player who was the best at his position.

He was as perfect off the field as he was on the field. He did everything great at the safety position, His ball skills, his tackling, play making ability, his coverage and his runn support were all outstanding.

As good as he was on the field, he was a better person off the field. He took time out of his busy schedule to answer questions on twitter. The best example of Dawkin's selflessness off the field was the Dan Leone situations in 2009. After the Eagles decided not to re-sign him following the 2008 season, Lincoln Financial Field gate chief Dan Leone was fired after posting some comments on facebook about his disappointment with the team following Dawkins departure. Dawkins gave his two allotted tickets to Leone for the Eagles-Broncos game in 2009. He wanted to show him just how much he appreciated his support.

Dawkins still has love for the city of Philadelphia and was even quoted by Rueben Frank on twitter: "It really hurt"(to see see Eagles) "fans go through what they went through last year."

There will never be a more beloved athlete or person in the city of Philadelphia than Brian Dawkins. Steve Van Buren was the best running back of his generation and won two NFL titles. Chuck Bednarik was the last of the 60 minute men. Donovan McNabb and Ron Jaworski were great franchise quarterbacks in their day.

But there will never be a better safety, a more intense player and a more perfect role model than Brian Dawkins. He truly was the ideal athlete in a sports-centered community.

WE LOVE YOU DAWK!