Brian Dawkins Enjoying Retirement, Hall Of Fame On His Mind

DENVER (CBS4) - Former Denver Broncos safety Brian Dawkins says he's finding life after football enjoyable and admits he's thought about the Hall of Fame.

Dawkins was CBS4's guest on Xfinity Monday Live!

For some players life after football is not easy, but Dawkins says he's made a smooth transition.

"I've been enjoying myself, getting a chance to get up and take my kids different places and to sleep in just a little bit longer sometimes," Dawkins said. "I have other things that I've been preparing myself to do going forward."

One thing is for sure, he doesn't miss training camp at all.

"What I did the other day is I hung out with some of the guys and chatted with the coaches, and didn't miss it a lick," he said.

Now that Dawkins is retired he has more time to think about the Hall of Fame. He has to wait five years to be put on the ballot.

"Have I thought about it? Yeah, I've thought about it, and it's something that if it happens there will be a lot of people I will be celebrating that with," he said. "If it does not happen it doesn't take anything away from what the Lord has blessed me to do for 16 years."

He talked about some of the goofy things he would do on the field before a game to get himself and the team psyched up and ready to play.

"I just had a great time playing this game, and before the game I got a chance to do what millions of people would love to do. People watching that would love to be able to do that before an NFL football game."

Safety Mike Adams now wears Dawkins' No. 20 on his jersey. Adams says he wears the number in Dawkins' honor. Currently Adams is listed as a backup at both safety positions. Dawkins said it's too early to start talking about the depth chart at the safety position.

"Especially where the Broncos are with the safety position because you have so many guys battling for that position. I'm pretty sure the coaches are telling them the same thing, 'Don't pay attention to depth charts right now.' "

Dawkins said because Adams is listed in both spots it means he's versatile and can play both those positions well.

Peyton Manning wasn't much on Dawkins' radar on his visit to training camp. He said he mostly paid attention to the defense, but that is going to change.

"I guess that's going to be a habit I have to get out of now … (I) have to look at the offense as well, see what they're doing because I'm trying to do a little bit of analyst work as well at some point."

The Broncos kick off their first preseason game on the road against Jay Cutler's Chicago Bears on Thursday.

- By Matthew J. Buettner, CBSDenver.com

Watch more of the video with Brian Dawkins in the Xfinity Monday Live section.