Philadelphia Eagles legend Brian Dawkins hosted the Driving Impact Celebrity Golf Tournament at Penn Oaks Golf Club in West Chester, PA, on Wednesday.
Dawkins started the Impact Foundation in 2019 shortly after leaving a full-time role in the front office for the Eagles. The foundation helps “disadvantaged young people, families, and communities, while also promoting spiritual, cerebral, and physical wellness” based on the values and knowledge Dawkins has gained during his life experience.
Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook, Jeremiah Trotter, Jon Runyan, and Ike Reese were just some of the big-name former teammates of Dawkins who participated in the event. Legendary Eagles Harold Carmichael, Seth Joyner, and Ron Jaworski also highlighted the event’s guest list.
Fanatic Broadcasts Showcase Dawkins, Eagles Legends
97.5 The Fanatic broadcasted three live shows from Penn Oaks on Wednesday at the event. Midday host Anthony Gargano sat down with Dawkins before the golfers teed off. They talked about some great memories from Dawkins’ career, the Andy Reid era, and legendary moments between him and his teammates.
Former defensive linemen Jevon Kearse, Hollis Thomas, Hugh Douglas, and Darwin Walker then invaded the radio broadcast area. These men with such an intimidating presence quickly opened up conversation with a light sense of humor and stirred up the crowd just before the scheduled tee-times.
News that the Eagles had signed James Bradberry even dropped right in the middle of all the action.
The celebrity golfers filed into their carts and drove by the live radio broadcast pit with the excitement of a Super Bowl parade of their own. Runyan and Trotter brought the towering size and stature that once made opponents fear the Eagles. Douglas and Thomas brought the life of the party. Westbrook brought the cool demeanor that has endeared him to Philadelphia fans for so long.
Memories of an entire era of Eagles football flashed before the eyes of the participants of a Wednesday afternoon golf match. Their heroes were all back together in one place, and it was for the sake of their fearless leader and his undying passion for a great cause.
The incredible exuberance of Brandon Graham, the only current Eagle who attended the event, wound down the quasi parade.
Driving Impact for Underserved Youth
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Impact Foundation. The prominence of the star-studded guest list will also raise awareness for the goals of the foundation.
Dawkins poured his heart and soul into the sport of football during an illustrious 13-year tenure with the Eagles and three additional seasons with the Denver Broncos and earned himself a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
His passion, dedication, and spirituality characterized his career on the gridiron, and the same strengths have persisted after his playing career. He sat down with Mike Missanelli after all the golfers had finished for the day and opened up about the goals of the foundation and how his personal story has impacted his life’s work.
“Ultimately, it’s (the charity is) to bring in resources and funds to bless those who are struggling, especially single parents to help them and especially the young ones in that household do some of the things they would not be able to do without our fundings.”
-Brian Dawkins
Dawkins also spoke about how honored he was to have such an excellent crowd of friends and former teammates who came from different parts of the country to be beside him for the event.
Donate to the Impact Foundation on Dawkins’ website.
Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire
