Author: Brian Dawkins,Michael Bradley (Contributor)

Publisher: Camino Books, Inc

ISBN: 978-1680980257

In Blessed By the Best: My Journey to Canton and Beyond, author and famous football great, Brian Dawkins talks about his life, his journey to becoming a hall of fame recipient, and the struggles that he has faced.

As a child, Brian Dawkins faced some challenges, including overcoming a stutter and struggling academically. But eventually he was able to obtain a scholarship to the famous Clemson University in South Carolina and it was from this great school that he was drafted to play in the NFL. Dawkins is the first to say that he was not the greatest student or even the greatest football player during his youth, and he confesses that he only managed to get a scholarship to Clemson after a friend put in a good word. But it is primarily his faith in God that propelled Dawkins forward in life. 

In this memoir, Dawkins talks about his faith (which he came to after a visit to church with his high school girlfriend and, later, wife, Connie), his career, and his retirement with surprising relatability. 

Any reader can enjoy this memoir and find something similar to Dawkins' life in their own. Dawkins has learned from a lot of great mentors during his life, and he talks about them over the course of the book. From his brother, to his kindergarten teacher to his college football coach-- Dawkins holds a special place in his heart for every single person that he feels impacted his life in a positive way. 

Apart from these triumphs, Dawkins also talked about things that have negatively impacted him, such as his experiences with racism and the anger that he felt when he failed to make the hall of fame the first time that he was eligible. As Dawkins says in the book, he has been 'Blessed by the best,' in so many ways in life, and he shares his blessings with the public in this memoir. 

Dawkins opens his heart onto the page to share not only to share his personal journey but also with the hope that he helps others.   His message is clear, even in times of great uncertainty, we can do good for ourselves and others.

About Brian Dawkins

Brian Dawkins entered the NFL in the second round of the 1996 draft and has since achieved 1,131 tackles, 37 achieved passes, 26 recorded sacks and 19 fumble recoveries, which has earned him a place in the NFL Hall of Fame.

Out of his 16 career seasons, Dawkins spent 13 with the Eagles before signing as an unrestricted free agent with the Denver Broncos in 2008.

Despite the team change, Dawkins still holds several team records for the Eagles, and as of 2012 his jersey number 20 has become one of only nine to be retired in the history of the franchise.