Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins said he did not give Homeland Security permission to use his highlights in social media video

Philadelphia Eagles great Brian Dawkins, seen here in 2018, said he had nothing to do with the DHS's social media video.Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Pro Football Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins said he did not give the Department of Homeland Security permission to use his name or highlights in a recent social media video.

Dawkins responded on Monday, one day after the DHS posted a highlight video of his with the caption "Our time has come" in reference to a purported migrant caravan headed to the southern border. The DHS said in a statement that it is actively tracking a group of migrants that left Honduras in recent days, and that it is "playing lockdown defense" at the border.

Dawkins, while not addressing the video specifically, made it known he had nothing to do with the post.

"Alright let's be clear, let's be clear. I didn't give permission for my name, image and likeness to be used by anybody, alright? By anybody," Dawkins said in a video. "Take a deep breath. Take a deep breath. Y'all be blessed."

#HelloBlessedPeople

I have respectfully not given permission to anyone other than those I currently do business with to use my NIL. Be Blessed!

#Breathpic.twitter.com/lXOMwZGLJ3

- Brian Dawkins (@BrianDawkins) September 28, 2026

The NFL asked the government to take down the video on Monday, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed to The Associated Press. DHS general counsel James Percival responded to the request on social media with a "Bugs Bunny" meme that made it clear they wouldn't do so.

Dawkins spent 16 seasons in the league, mostly with the Philadelphia Eagles after they selected him in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft. The nine-time Pro Bowler finished his career with 1,147 total tackles and 37 interceptions before he retired in 2012 after a three-year stint with the Denver Broncos. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.