BERKELEY – Sean Dawkins, a member of the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame's Class of 2005 and the school's all-time leader in career and single-season touchdown receptions, passed away from cardiac arrest Tuesday at the age of 52.
Dawkins was a consensus first-team All-American for the Golden Bears as a senior in 1992 when the wide receiver had 65 receptions for 1,070 yards and led the nation with a single-season school-record 14 receiving touchdowns that, along with his 31 career-scoring grabs, remain Cal records today. Dawkins, who also had a single-game school-record-tying three touchdown catches on three separate occasions, added first-team All-Pac-10 recognition and team MVP honors in his final season in Berkeley.
Dawkins was a three-year letter winner (1990-92) who also helped the Bears to victories in the Copper Bowl in 1990 and Citrus Bowl in 1991. His 1991 squad tied a school record for victories with a 10-2 overall mark and ranked eighth in the final AP Top 25.
"Sean's physical gifts were apparent as soon as he stepped onto campus, but his character, confidence and penchant to smile even during the most stressful moments were what made him a fantastic teammate," said current Cal radio analyst Mike Pawlawski, who was inducted into the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002 and was the Bears' starting quarterback during the 1990 and 1991 campaigns. "When I looked into the huddle and saw Sean's big smile and calm demeanor, it gave myself and the rest of the team confidence. Sean was a huge factor in our success as a team, a true Cal man and a great Golden Bear. My condolences to his family."
Dawkins was a first-round selection (16th overall) of the Indianapolis Colts in the 1993 NFL Draft. He played nine NFL seasons, including the first five with Indianapolis (1993-97) followed by stints with the New Orleans Saints (1998), Seattle Seahawks (1999-2000) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2001).
Dawkins finished his NFL career with 445 receptions for 6,291 yards and 25 touchdown catches during 140 regular-season games. He registered a career-high 68 receptions in his final campaign with the Colts in 1997, and two seasons later in his first campaign with the Seahawks, posted career bests of 992 yards receiving and seven touchdown grabs on 58 receptions that were the second most of his NFL career. He also played in five playoff games on a trio of teams that reached the postseason, adding 18 receptions for 235 yards and two scoring catches.
Dawkins pursued a career in real estate in the Sacramento area and focused on raising his family following his NFL playing career.
Dawkins was born in Red Bank, New Jersey, on Feb. 3, 1971, and raised in Cupertino, California, where he attended and played as a prep at Homestead High School.
Cal Athletics
Clockwise from top right: Sean Dawkins in a recent family photo with his wife, Sachiko;
daughter, Ella; and twin sons Luke and Kameron
He is survived by his wife, Sachiko, twin sons Luke and Kameron, and daughter, Ella.
"Sean was the center of our universe," Sachiko said. "He was an incredible father and husband."
Everyone's heard the news but here's today's press release.
Talked to Dave Barr about Sean today. He has such great memories of him and over the years developed a really special friendship with him from when they lived in Sacramento together and reconnected and stayed connected over the years. Said he was an amazing husband and father to his family and took the time to personally homeschool his kids with everything else he was juggling. Such a shame to lose him at such a young age.
He's gone way too early. Sounds like his kids are still young?!? OMG...
Two things I remember about Sean Dawkins as a Cal receiver: First, he was amazingly good even as a true freshman, goin' up there and pulling down long passes.
Second, I just have this visual of him as a deep threat etched in my mind. I would categorize him as one of our three all-time best deep threat receivers, along with Wesley Walker and DeSean Jackson, but Sean didn't have the blinding speed of the other two, though he was plenty fast. He'd be going long with that smoooth running style, then he'd high-point the ball perfectly and use his size and hands to come down with it.
When he was going deep and the ball was in the air, it was a special moment of anticipation because we knew he was likely to get it.
RIP to a great Golden Bear. Deepest condolences to his family.
