I guess the most that stands out as the turning point or catalyst for Dawkins career so far would be the ACL tear at age 14. To that point the focus was on playing professionally in either the NBA or Euroleague. Football wasn't really on the table at that point and with a few offers to join the youth development program of team's in the NBL on the table, it appeared at the time that a career playing professionally was on the cards.
Tearing his ACL meant time off away from the sport as well as time sitting out to recover. Recovery though, was straight forward. In a attempt to rush back, Dawkins pushed himself but struggled with confidence in his knee. Feeling slow and steps behind his peers, doubts began to creep and the feeling that a career playing professionally was slipping away.
On the road to recovery, Dawkins was roped into a local flag football competition. A new sport and something else to focus on. Having no prior experience or expectations, it wasn't about where he thought he should be at in terms of ability and performance, it was about what needed to be worked on get better. This helped a lot and eventually, the confidence was back and the interest in football started to grow.
Fast forward a few years, Dawkins made the decision to travel to Chicago to attend a tryout at the University of Chicago for the Basketball and Football programs after turning down opportunities in the NBL. Dawkins do well enough to earn a spot on the Maroons football program where he spent 3 seasons before being drafted by Portland in the DSFL in Season 21. By all accounts the focus prior to the ACL tear was on playing basketball professionally. The prospect of playing football wasn't on the table till the injury. However, things have worked out well having been called up to play in the NSFL as a starter on defense while serving as a kick returner for Honolulu.
Tearing his ACL meant time off away from the sport as well as time sitting out to recover. Recovery though, was straight forward. In a attempt to rush back, Dawkins pushed himself but struggled with confidence in his knee. Feeling slow and steps behind his peers, doubts began to creep and the feeling that a career playing professionally was slipping away.
On the road to recovery, Dawkins was roped into a local flag football competition. A new sport and something else to focus on. Having no prior experience or expectations, it wasn't about where he thought he should be at in terms of ability and performance, it was about what needed to be worked on get better. This helped a lot and eventually, the confidence was back and the interest in football started to grow.
Fast forward a few years, Dawkins made the decision to travel to Chicago to attend a tryout at the University of Chicago for the Basketball and Football programs after turning down opportunities in the NBL. Dawkins do well enough to earn a spot on the Maroons football program where he spent 3 seasons before being drafted by Portland in the DSFL in Season 21. By all accounts the focus prior to the ACL tear was on playing basketball professionally. The prospect of playing football wasn't on the table till the injury. However, things have worked out well having been called up to play in the NSFL as a starter on defense while serving as a kick returner for Honolulu.
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