The former football pro shares why talking about the link between high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney health is so personal.
NFL Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins Sr. Urges You to Get Ahead of Kidney Disease
Published on Jun. 17, 2025
Brian Dawkins Sr., now 51, spent most of his professional football career protecting the end zone as a safety for the Philadelphia Eagles. Now, he is approaching his family’s health and well-being with the same zeal.
The nine-time Pro Bowl safety recently teamed up with Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly for their It Takes 2 initiative to spread awareness about kidney health—and to encourage folks to get tested for often-silent kidney disease. Earlier this year, he participated in the 2025 Rose Parade and stood on a custom float titled “It’s In Your Hands: It Takes 2” and traveled to New Orleans for the 2025 Super Bowl to spread the word about the initiative while watching his former team win a championship.
Dawkins shared that both of his parents have diabetes, and his mom has high blood pressure—conditions that account for up to two-thirds of kidney disease cases, according to health experts. High blood sugar levels and high blood pressure can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys, impairing their ability to do their job: filter waste and excess fluids.
It takes just two tests—a blood test and a urine test—to see if you’re heading down the path of developing kidney disease, he says. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) blood test measures how well kidneys filter the blood, and the urine albumin-to-creatine ratio (UACR) test measures the ratio of a protein in the blood to waste in the urine. Together, these tests provide a snapshot of your overall kidney health.
“It is in my gene pool because my parents and others in the family have these risk factors,” Dawkins says. “If someone comes to mind when I say Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, have them get these tests done and visit TestYourKidneys.com,” he says. “It could be a huge deal if this person finds out they have kidney disease and can take steps to stay healthy longer.”
Ahead, Dawkins shares more with The Healthy by Reader’s Digest, including how he’s still staying in shape and at the top of his game.
The Healthy by Reader’s Digest: Brian, how are you feeling these days?
Brian Dawkins Sr.: My health is good. I heard something in my rookie year from [former NFL star] Irving Fryar, who was in his 13th year and still playing at a high level. He had battled drugs and came back to still play at a high level. He said, “If you take care of your body now, it will take care of you later.” To this day, I still have that mindset. It’s not a football thing; it’s a lifestyle. I still work out and do all of those things I did when I played.
The Healthy: What are those things?
Brian Dawkins Sr.: I don’t eat a whole lot of carbs, especially during the week. During the weekend, I will allow myself to indulge a little more. This is the same eating plan I was on when I was playing. I [don’t eat] a whole lot of pork. It’s more fish, chicken, and turkey. Things of that nature.
The Healthy: What about exercise?
Brian Dawkins Sr.: I don’t do a whole lot of explosive [lifting] work anymore. It’s more stationary things. I do a more full-body workout. I jump rope, incline, walk, and jog. I usually get 10-15,000 steps per day, but I don’t set that as a goal. I try to get at least three workouts in a week. The reason I do three is that I have to listen to my body more than I used to. Now that I am more seasoned in life, I have to give my body a chance to recover when I exert myself. I still push weight, though.
The Healthy: How much are you bench pressing these days?
Brian Dawkins Sr.: I don’t do one repetition max anymore. I can do 315 pounds, like 15 times.
The Healthy: How do you rein in stress?
Brian Dawkins Sr.: My relationship with the Lord is the No. 1 pillar in my life as far as stress reduction is concerned. It’s giving thanks for things I have that he has blessed me with—my beautiful family, the home I live in, life, health, and strength—and breathing as I do it.
The Healthy: You launched the Brian Dawkins Impact Foundation in 2019 to provide inspiration, education, and resources to youth. How do you encourage your four children to take care of themselves?
Brian Dawkins Sr.: Visually. They see me and how I work out. They see how I eat and don’t eat. I am constantly reminding them about why I do what I do. I tell them, “Your 40-year-old self will thank you for what you did during your twenties and thirties.” I set an example first and continually remind them that this is what they need to do for the long term.
The Healthy: Are any of your kids following in your footsteps on the playing field?
Brian Dawkins Sr.: Brian Jr. went to Clemson University and played football there for a little bit, but it wasn’t in his mindset to continue on. He is training to be an athletic trainer now. One of my daughters has the ability to be an athlete but wants to sing and act.
The Healthy What advice would you give to high school and college athletes today?
Brian Dawkins Sr.: Always be a pull-back person. People should not have to tell you to go faster, harder, or finish. They should always have to tell you to slow down. They should never have to tell you to give more. Always give more than expected. Stay coachable the whole time, but be that pull-back person.
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This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
