The NFL requested that the Department of Homeland Security remove a video from social media after the agency posted content featuring former player Brian Dawkins. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy stated, "The league has requested the DHS take down the video."

The Department of Security posted the video in response to a social media report claiming a large migrant caravan was approaching the United States southern border. The agency also posted a follow-up image featuring Dawkins with the caption The Border is Closed. The Trump Administration has kept the Department of Homeland Security video up despite the NFL's request for removal.

Dawkins stated he did not give permission for the Department of Homeland Security to use his image or likeness. Former NFL player Brian Dawkins said in a text to ESPN that he had very respectfully not given permission. He also addressed the situation on social media platform X, saying it was clear he did not give his permission for his name, image and likeness to be used by anybody. He added that people should take a deep breath and be blessed.

The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement regarding the posts. It said DHS is playing lockdown defense at the border and will use every Weapon at its disposal, from A to X, to keep Americans safe. The statement referenced the safety's career reputation while asserting the agency's border security stance.

Dawkins played 16 seasons in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos before retiring in 2011. He was selected 61st overall in the 1996 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, where he became a nine-time Pro Bowler and a key figure in the team's four consecutive NFC Championship Game appearances from 2001–2004. Dawkins was a four-time All-Pro selection and a member of the 2000s All-Decade Team, recognized for his physical play and leadership during his 16-season NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos.

Dawkins recorded 37 interceptions, 36 forced fumbles, and 26 sacks over 224 regular-season games. He reached five NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl during his career. Dawkins was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.

Timeline

Brian Dawkins played 16 seasons in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos before retiring in 2011. Brian Dawkins was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018. In 2025, the Department of Homeland Security posted content referencing IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward and an immigration detention center in Indiana dubbed Speedway Slammer. The Department of Homeland Security stated that the United States Border Patrol is actively tracking a migrant caravan that departed San Pedro Sula, Honduras on September 20, 2026.

The Department of he posted a video to social media on Sunday featuring shows of former NFL player Brian Dawkins. The Department of Homeland Security captioned the video post with the text Our time has come. The Department of he posted the video in response to a social media report claiming a large migrant caravan was approaching the United States southern border. The Department of he posted a follow-up image featuring Brian Dawkins with the caption The Border is Closed.

What's New

Brian Dawkins said on social media platform X that it was clear he did not give his permission for his name, image and likeness to be used by anybody. He also said on the platform to take a deep breath and be blessed. The Department of he said it is playing lockdown defense at the border and will use every Weapon at its disposal, from A to X, to keep Americans safe.

The Department of Homeland Security has previously used sports-related imagery in border enforcement messaging, including a 2025 post linking IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward to an immigration detention center dubbed 'Speedway Slammer.' The Department of Homeland Security has previously used sports-related imagery in immigration messaging, including a 2025 post referencing IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward and an Indiana immigration detention center dubbed 'Speedway Slammer.'

Why It Matters

The dispute shows a pattern of the Department of Homeland Security using sports figures in its communications without explicit prior authorization. In 2025, the agency posted content referencing IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward and an immigration detention center in Indiana dubbed Speedway Slammer. That previous instance drew attention to the agency's method of leveraging sports imagery in immigration messaging. The current use of Brian Dawkins, a Hall of Fame safety known as "Weapon X," continues this approach by linking athletic metaphors to border enforcement operations.

The NFL's formal request for removal reflects the league's stance on protecting the name, image, and likeness rights of its players, even after their retirement. Brian Dawkins stated he did not give permission for the Department of Homeland Security to use his image or likeness. The Trump Administration has maintained the video online despite the request, leaving the question of compliance open. The Department of Homeland Security published notice titled Certain DHS Immigration-Related Fees Required by HR-1: Fiscal Year 2027 Adjustments for Inflation on 2026-10-01, indicating ongoing administrative activity related to immigration policy alongside these public messaging efforts.