Brian Dawkins calls it a career

Apr 23, 2012 - 4:11 PM (Sports Network) - Brian Dawkins has decided to call it a career after 16 seasons as a safety in the NFL.

Dawkins, who spent 13 years with the Philadelphia Eagles and played his last three seasons with the Denver Broncos, made the announcement on his Twitter feed.

"The Lord has blessed me to play in the NFL for 16 years," Dawkins wrote. "I would like to thank the Eagles & the Broncos 4 believing In me. I would like 2 thank all my teammates & Coaches that I have been blessed 2 go to battle with. Along with u, the fans 4 helping make my career 1 that i have enjoyed tremendously. In other words. I am announcing my retirement from the NFL."

Dawkins was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and finished his career with 37 interceptions, 624 tackles, 26 sacks and 28 forced fumbles. He played in one Super Bowl with Philadelphia after the 2004 season.

The 38-year-old Clemson product appeared in 14 games for the Broncos last season, starting 12, but was bothered by a neck injury that forced him to miss each of Denver's two playoff games in January.