A retired football star had to step forward to deny that his name and image were used without permission in a government video warning of a migrant caravan, and the government responded with a Bugs Bunny meme rather than taking it down.
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. The DHS posted a highlight reel of Dawkins with the caption “Our time has come” in reference to a purported migrant caravan headed to the southern border. One day later, Dawkins made it known he had nothing to do with the post.
“I didn’t give permission for my name, image and likeness to be used by anybody, alright? By anybody,” Dawkins said in a video response. “Take a deep breath. Take a deep breath. Y’all be blessed.”
Dawkins Responds
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. He finished his career with 1,147 total tackles and 37 interceptions before retiring in 2011 after a three-year stint with the Denver Broncos. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.
His response came on Monday, one day after the video appeared. The caption “Our time has come” referred to a group of migrants that left Honduras in recent days, according to the DHS. The agency said it is actively tracking that group and that it is “playing lockdown defense” at the border.
Dawkins did not address the video directly. He simply stated that he did not authorize anyone to use his name, image or likeness.
The Video’s Claim
The video tied Dawkins to the border situation without his involvement. The caption “Our time has come” was the video’s central claim. The footage showed Dawkins in action during his career.
Dawkins made it clear that he was unaware of the post and did not approve it.
NFL Steps In
The NFL asked the government to take down the video on Monday. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed to The Associated Press that the league had made the request.
DHS general counsel James Percival responded to the request on social media with a “Bugs Bunny” meme.
The Migrant Caravan
The DHS video referenced a group of migrants that left Honduras in recent days. The agency said it is actively tracking that group and that it is “playing lockdown defense” at the border.
The caption “Our time has come” was the video’s central claim. It referenced the purported caravan heading toward the southern border.
What Dawkins Said
Dawkins spoke plainly about the situation. He did not accuse anyone by name. He simply said he did not give permission for his identity to be used.
He also offered a calming message to viewers. “Take a deep breath. Take a deep breath. Y’all be blessed,” he said.
The Government’s Response
Percival’s response was notable. Rather than answering the NFL’s request directly, he posted a meme featuring Bugs Bunny.
The exchange between the NFL and the DHS shows how quickly these situations can become public. A video post became a national story within hours.
Dawkins did not engage with the video’s content. He only addressed the question of consent. He said he did not give permission, and he said it in a way that left no room for confusion.
The NFL’s role in the story adds another layer. A professional sports organization stepped into a political dispute involving a retired player, asking the government to remove a video that featured him without his permission.
The result is a strange sequence of events. A retired football star denied being used in a government video, and the government responded with a cartoon character meme.
The video remains online. The caption remains attached. Dawkins has spoken his piece.
The DHS has spoken its piece. The NFL has spoken its piece.
The public will judge which side made the better argument.
Key Facts
- Dawkins played 16 seasons in the NFL, mostly with the Philadelphia Eagles
- He was selected in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft
- He finished his career with 1,147 total tackles and 37 interceptions
- He retired in 2011 after a three-year stint with the Denver Broncos
- He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018
- The caption “Our time has come” referred to a migrant caravan headed to the southern border
- The DHS said it is actively tracking a group of migrants that left Honduras in recent days
- The DHS is “playing lockdown defense” at the border
- The NFL asked the government to take down the video on Monday
- DHS general counsel James Percival responded with a “Bugs Bunny” meme
The situation is resolved for now. The video remains online, and Dawkins has made his position clear.
The story is a reminder that even retired athletes can find themselves caught up in politics. A highlight reel from a career ended years ago became a political statement overnight.
Dawkins did not engage with the video’s content. He only addressed the question of consent. He said he did not give permission, and he said it in a way that left no room for confusion.
The government’s response was unexpected. Rather than taking the video down, they chose a light-hearted approach that turned the situation into a small moment of absurdity.
The NFL’s role in the story adds another layer. A professional sports organization stepped into a political dispute involving a retired player, asking the government to remove a video that featured him without his permission.
The result is a strange sequence of events. A retired football star denied being used in a government video, and the government responded with a cartoon character meme.
The video remains online. The caption remains attached. Dawkins has spoken his piece.
The DHS has spoken its piece. The NFL has spoken its piece.
The public will judge which side made the better argument.
See the a run of 15 images at Yahoo Sports.
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