Justin Edmonds - Getty Images
4 months ago: DENVER, CO - JANUARY 08: Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after running the ball in the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 8, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
In the first post of the MHR Selects series, I asked who was the Broncos 2011 Comeback Player Of the Year. Demaryius Thomas is leading Elvis Dumervil by a small enough margin that the decision is still up in the air. The second post asked who was the 2011 Overachiever of the Year for the Broncos. Cornerback Chris Harris is running away with 75% of the vote so we may as well blow the whistle. This time we are searching for the Most Inspirational player on the 2011 Broncos Squad. And again we have two more players for you to discern from.
Brian Dawkins has been the heart of the Broncos since his arrival on February 28, 2009. In fact, the Head Coach at the time, Josh McDaniels, specifically recruited Dawkins for that purpose--to lead and inspire. Brian, known as "Weapon X" as much for his bone-jarring hits and all-out intensity as his fondness of the X-Men character "Wolverine," doesn't just lead by his actions. He is vocal on and off the field, mentoring the younger players and leading by his faith. It is Dawkins that leads the players with the pre-game huddle speech to fire up his teammates. Here is a prime example. TAKE IT!
2 recs | 32 comments
this is the first true both answer
Dawkins’ ability to be so physical and play with such heart at his age, and Tebow’s ability to inspire his team and make plays in spite of his own ability to actually play football. These guys are inspirational to the whole team. Go Broncos!
Mike Agnew - January 20, 2012
I went Both too
I know that if you looked up the word: Inspirational- You might just find Tebow’s picture but Dawkins is a once in a lifetime player! He gave everything he had for many years and that is Insprirational!
MileHighPride - January 20, 2012
Just love the intesity of Dawkins
But Tebow is the one who really inspires this team at this unbelievable level.
Fabio Broncos - January 20, 2012
exactly
this team might have had no business winning half of the games they did. But these two men had them playing hard late into the forth quarter and overtime. These are two of the premier leaders in the NFL hands down.
Mike Agnew - January 20, 2012
they are Mentor Leaders, like Tony Dungy :)
the new Bradfather - January 20, 2012
Why didn't you go with Belichick?
T.Dot_Bronco - January 20, 2012
I'm a football fan thinking with my heart not my head
I think Dungy is a winner on and off the field, I just think Belichick is a scumbag winner
the new Bradfather - January 21, 2012
I love them both
so with that said GO BRONCOS!!! I’m glad to leave Horse Tracks, that had a negative vibe to it today, sorry to say :(
the new Bradfather - January 20, 2012
I voted both because we desperately need inspirational leaders on this team.
Players like Champ and DJ are more of follow my play and not the vocal leaders a team needs at times to get them through the hard times. We always hear Champ say…“We need to get better as a team”, and that’s OK, but a team needs that vocal leader to inspire them when the going get’s tough…
bfree2bronc - January 20, 2012
Should have been both
Until the Steeler’s game, the Broncos had never won a game without Dawkins since he came on. Tebow ignited the spark that sent this team on the 6-0 run. Both deserve credit
Calikula - January 20, 2012
Tebow....no question
Bronco Mike - January 20, 2012
Dawkins....no question
DLMyers - January 20, 2012
Dawkins is a HOF no doubt
The dude just can’t seem to stay healthy, he’s battled some sort of injury every year he’s been here. Hope he stays as a coach but sadly his playing days are most likely over.
Bronco Mike - January 20, 2012
Dawkins
As much as I admire Tim, Dawkins was the leader of the team. Just look what happened when he went down with the neck injury, our defense and especially our secondary went in the tank. We missed his intensity and leadership on D when he went down…
D1g1tal J1m - January 20, 2012
And yet look at thier record before Tim...
Just sayin. I voted Both
JOEGATOR15 - January 20, 2012
Agreed, everyone stepped up their game after the QB change
Bronco Mike - January 20, 2012
Well, we know that after the change the Defense stepped up big time to allow for the 4th quarter comebacks by Tim. The D was flying to the ball while our offense sputtered for 3 quarters. Dawkins really was the leader of our D and when he went down, nobody else could or would step up to fill the void….
D1g1tal J1m - January 23, 2012
I voted both, but how many times have we seen players from every side of the ball coming over to congratulate Brian Dawkins?
Don’t get me wrong, I like Dawkins, just as I liked John Lynch, but are they really Broncos at heart? Think Steve Atwater and Dennis Smith. Which team will Dawkins retire with? Eagles or Broncos? How about Lynch? Tampa Bay or Denver? I like Dawkins, but I think that his allegiance is with the Philadelphia Eagles…way down deep.
9798 - January 20, 2012
wherever Dawkins has gone
or will go, he will be part of the community. To me he is a Bronco, I want to meet him one day and give him a big hug, thanking him for his selflessness in helping the Broncos
the new Bradfather - January 20, 2012
While I appreciate your passion
I think I’d go for the handshake or maybe even a bro-hug back pat…lol
JOEGATOR15 - January 20, 2012
that's how we Italians roll
emotion is what it’s all about!
the new Bradfather - January 20, 2012
I'm OK with this :-)
9798 - January 21, 2012
"MOST" is Tebow who I voted for
However, they are by far the 2 most inspiring off of the team, and they fed off of each other’s intensity, which was evident. Looked up the games, they BOTH started and finished this year… 7-0. When one of them didn’t start or didn’t finish… 2-9
Tony Astorino - January 20, 2012
this is a tough one..
Both team heroes,also in the community. Personally I know who inspired me to jump up off my couch fist pumping around the house like McD more often,…& that’d b Tebow!
Mike@4th&99 - January 20, 2012 via iPhone app
Both. I don’t see how you could vote for one or the other. Both are great leaders on their sides of the ball.
jbbroncosfan27 - January 20, 2012 via mobile
That's how I figured it too.
A case could be made for Doom too. He picked up the slack at the end of the season when Dawkins couldn’t play.
KaptainKirk - January 20, 2012
Both
Could not have had the year with out both. If Dawkins can’t play next year then want him as a coach.
PokyID_Fan - January 20, 2012
I voted for both.
Just as the team as whole played better once Tim entered as a starter, the defense played better when Dawkins was in the game. I also believe that the Broncos vets led by Dawkins made Tim’s entry into the NFL easier than it could have been. I don’t think they held Tebowmania against Tim and gave him a chance. Both men are an inspiration and I hope that Dawkins, who I know is a long term Eagle, will be back if healthy or stays in contact with our team if he decides to move on.
cyngato - January 20, 2012
Haha good choice of picture
wackest TD celebration I’ve ever seen. I remember when it happend I was like “Really, the intense prayer”
T.Dot_Bronco - January 20, 2012
This was the first time I voted both....
“Both” is a cop-out, but in this case it’s deserved.
Broncotodd - January 20, 2012
It has to be both
Remember way back during the lockout, Brian Dawkins was the one who put up the dough and rallied the team for unofficial workouts. Where this team ended up started there, but they wouldn’t have made it there Tebow completing the puzzle.
CH74 - January 21, 2012
I was thinking
both before I saw all of the comments. I’m very glad to see that most people had the same thought. I know Dawk will probably not be with us next year, and in the most manly way possible, that is breaking my heart. He has consistently been my favorite thing about watching Bronco football for the past three years. His drive and intensity even during the past few seasons have been flat out awesome to see. In my mind he will always be a Bronco. That being said, who better for him to pass the torch to than Tim Tebow. I will certainly miss seeing Dawkins inspire and motivate our team, as well as his bone crushing hits, but I am very excited for what lies ahead for this team of ours. With that being said, I am voting for Dawk and Tebow. I really hope they both get to share this selection. GO BRONCOS!
mtnbikinbronc - January 21, 2012 via Android app
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