NFL Demands DHS Remove Video Using Brian Dawkins to Promote Border Enforcement

Key points

• DHS posted a video on Sunday featuring Dawkins' pregame walkout and hits, captioned 'Our time has come,' referencing a purported immigrant caravan.
• NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed the league requested the video's removal on Monday.
• Dawkins stated on X that he did not grant permission for his name, image, or likeness to be used by the government.
• DHS responded to The Hill by stating it is 'playing lockdown defense at the border' and will use every weapon to keep Americans safe.
• Dawkins is a nine-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro who played for the Eagles and Broncos before retiring in 2011.

Background

This incident occurs amid ongoing tensions between the NFL and the Trump administration regarding the use of sports imagery for political messaging. The administration has previously used NFL highlights to promote other policies, such as its war in Iran, according to The Washington Post. Recent archive coverage highlights the Eagles' defensive strength in the 2026 season, which may have contributed to the selection of Dawkins, a former Eagles star, for the video.

How outlets are covering it

HuffPost frames the DHS response as a 'silly defense,' emphasizing the disconnect between the league's request and the department's reply. The Washington Post notes a pattern of the Trump administration using NFL highlights for political promotion, contrasting the league's lack of enthusiasm with the administration's eagerness. ESPN's coverage was unavailable due to a server error, so no additional perspective could be synthesized from that source.

Why it matters

The dispute highlights the boundaries of government use of private intellectual property and athlete likeness rights. It also reflects broader tensions between the NFL and the Trump administration over political messaging, potentially setting a precedent for future conflicts between sports leagues and federal agencies.

What to watch

It remains unclear whether DHS will comply with the NFL's request to remove the video. Dawkins has expressed his disapproval, but no official action from DHS has been confirmed. The NFL may pursue further legal or public relations measures if the video remains online.