Make no mistake. The NFL is filled with a lot of unruly people. There are personal rivalries everywhere across the league, players who dislike or even outright hate each other. That is the byproduct of playing a violent sport. However, it creates a misconception. For so much animosity, there is also a ton of camaraderie. More than a few players love football so much that they go out of their way to help grow the game. They often do this by working with the next generations to become better, even if those younger guys don’t even play for the same team. That is what happened with Austin Booker last week.
The Chicago Bears hosted the Buffalo Bills for a joint practice last Friday. It was a spirited affair with both sides showing plenty of intensity. It seems Booker caught the attention of one of Buffalo’s best players. Dion Dawkins is a four-time Pro Bowler and one of the best left tackles in the league. He couldn’t help but notice Booker during drills. So he decided to take the Bears’ edge rusher aside to offer advice and encouragement. Cameras for HBO’s Hard Knocks caught the exchange.
It is tremendous stuff.
Dawkins recognized Austin Booker is unique among Bears edge rushers.
Most of their key names, like Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo, fit the same category. They win with overwhelming power and length. Austin Booker is different. While he is long, his body mass doesn’t carry the necessary strength to play the same way those other guys do. He is more explosive and athletic, able to win with speed and quickness. Dawkins saw immediately how valuable that could be to the Bears’ fortunes this season. Every defense needs somebody like that. Booker must’ve impressed the star tackle during drills. He could become one of the league’s more productive pass rushers if nurtured properly. That will lead to big money down the line, which is great for him and those who come later. Dawkins feels it is his responsibility to help, even if they don’t share the same uniform—just great stuff from an outstanding player and person.
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