2018 HOFer Dawkins opens up about anger, bouts with depression, alcohol

Brian Dawkins was one of the most intimidating figures in the NFL.

Despite his 6-foot frame, the longtime Philadelphia Eagles safety - and a 2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee - was known for his physicality.

In an interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia's Derrick Gunn ahead of his enshrinement this coming weekend, Dawkins revealed that he struggled with his temper and depression during his 16-year NFL career, and specifically with the pressures of juggling his growing family and football during his rookie season.

"I also had issues growing up period with my anger issues," Dawkins said. "Not being able to deal with some of the things like the extra energy I had. I had troubles channeling that anger in the right direction.

"They would come out in outbursts, and because I'm a quiet individual, and as men, we don't talk ... anyway, I talked even less (during his rookie year), and so all that stuff was bounding up."

As the responsibilities mounted, Dawkins sought the comforts of alcohol.

"Overall, I didn't have any outlets, and so I began to drink a little more than I needed to, and that quickly spiraled down into depression," he said.

"I went through a real dark, deep depression. Alcohol was a tremendous crutch."

Through the suggestion of his wife and Eagles defensive coordinator Emmitt Thomas, Dawkins began seeing a psychiatrist and taking medication for depression. Now, while the battle is always ongoing, the soon-to-be Hall of Famer says he's found ways to control his demons.

"That feeling is always there to this day," Dawkins said. "It's just waiting for you to feel so sorry for yourself that you can come back down and start having those same feelings again. My faith is strong enough now that I can tell that part of me to shut up and that's now who I am."