The NFL requested the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) remove a video featuring Hall of Fame safety Brian Dawkins from a social media post about border security. The DHS used the violent footage in reference to a migrant caravan approaching the U.S., which Dawkins says he did not authorize. Despite the NFL's request, both posts were still active as of Monday morning, with the DHS defending its use of the content by referencing Dawkins’ nickname "Weapon X."
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-28,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The NFL asked the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to remove a video that featured former Philadelphia Eagles player Brian Dawkins' violent tackles and was posted in response to reports of an approaching "huge migrant caravan" at the US southern border. The DHS captioned their post with "Our time has come," referring both to Dawkins' career highlights and the agency's stance on immigration enforcement. Dawkins personally denied giving permission for his footage to be used, stating he did not authorize anyone for its use. The video, set to heavy metal music, had been online since Sunday afternoon before the NFL intervened on Monday. This incident reflects broader tensions over the use of sports imagery in political contexts related to immigration policies.
Written for “NFL Requests DHS Remove Video Post” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 4 other(s) covering the same event.
NFL asks Department of Homeland Security to remove Brian Dawkins video from immigration post
asserted
NFL → ask → post
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- The NFL asked the Department of Homeland Security to remove a video of Hall of Fame safety Brian Dawkins’ punishing hits, used in a post about a cracking down on a migrant caravan.
asserted
NFL → click → caravan
- Dawkins said he had not authorized the video’s use, but the post and a follow-up image remained online Monday as DHS defended its border messaging.
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DHS → say → messaging
The NFL confirmed Monday that it has asked the Department of Homeland Security to remove a video featuring hard-hitting highlights of Hall of Fame safety Brian Dawkins from a social media post in reference to a report about a caravan of immigrants approaching the U.S. border.
asserted
it → confirm → border
On Sunday afternoon, the verified X account of the DHS reposted another account’s report of the purported caravan, along with the comment, “Our time has come,” and a 39-second clip of the former Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos star delivering one bruising hit after another.
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star → reposte → another
“The league requested DHS take down the video,” NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy told The Times in an email.
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McCarthy → request → email
Drake Maye, who finished second to Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in last season’s MVP voting, has struggled through the Patriots’ first three games.
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who → finish → games
Dawkins told ESPN in a text that he had “very respectfully not given permission” for the DHS to use his video.
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DHS → tell → video
About two hours after the initial post went up, the DHS responded in the comment section with a still photo of Dawkins and the caption, “The Border Is Closed.”
asserted
Border → go → Dawkins
As of early Monday afternoon, both posts remained intact.
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posts → remain → afternoon
The Times reached out to the DHS by email and asked if it had initially sought the NFL’s permission to use the content, if it planned on taking down the content as the league requested and why it chose to use Dawkins’ imagery with the posts.
asserted
it → reach → posts
The department sent a statement in response that appears to refer to the nine-time Pro Bowl selection’s nickname “Weapon X.”
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that → send → nickname
Republican and Democratic congressional candidates are wrestling with how to talk about immigration.
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candidates → wrestle → immigration
They consistently call for a strong U.S.-Mexico border but then diverge, with some calling for ICE to be abolished while others support President Trump’s immigration crackdown.
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others → call → crackdown
“DHS is playing lockdown defense at the border.
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DHS → play → border
We will use every Weapon at our disposal, from A to X, to keep Americans safe,” the department wrote.
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department → use → Americans
“The United States Border Patrol is actively tracking a migrant caravan which departed San Pedro Sula, Honduras on September 20, 2026.
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which → track → September
USBP is closely engaged with its international partners to monitor their movement and any additional developments.
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USBP → engage → movement
USBP reminds migrants that under the leadership of President Trump and Homeland Secretary [Markwayne] Mullin, the border has remained closed and secured for the last 16 months.
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border → remind → months
“Migrants considering making the dangerous journey to our country should also be aware that the days of ‘catch and release’ are over, and [former President] Biden’s disastrous open border policy has been SEALED SHUT.
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policy → consider → catch
Anyone attempting to illegally enter the United States will be apprehended, prosecuted, and removed from the country.”
asserted
Anyone → attempt → country
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