The National Football League asked the Department of Homeland Security to take down a video posted on social media that featured highlights from the career of retired player Brian Dawkins. The DHS had used the footage as part of messaging related to border security and immigration enforcement.
The video, which surfaced on Sunday, contained footage of Dawkins, a former Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos player, walking out before a game while chanting “the time has come.” The clip then transitioned into a montage of Dawkins executing tackles during games, accompanied by heavy metal music. The post from DHS included the caption “Our time has come.” According to NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy, the league requested the removal of the video on Monday.
Dawkins had a distinguished 16-season career in the NFL before retiring in 2011 and is considered a highly celebrated figure in professional football history. His image and likeness were used in the DHS post without apparent coordination with the league or the player.
The incident comes as immigration policy remains a focal point of the current administration’s agenda. President Donald Trump has characterized migration across the southern border as an “invasion” and has deployed federal resources to enforce immigration enforcement operations in cities nationwide. During his first term, Trump authorized a similar military deployment along the Mexico border in response to a migrant caravan moving northward from Central America, a decision that faced criticism from opponents who characterized it as disproportionate and politically motivated ahead of the 2018 midterm elections.
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