The NFL has asked the Department of Homeland Security to take down a video on social media showing highlights of Hall of Fame safety Brian Dawkins in reference to a purported caravan of immigrants approaching the U.S. border.
The video posted on Sunday shows Dawkins’ pregame walkout as he chants “The time has come,” followed by a series of big hits. The DHS post includes the caption “Our time has come.”
“The league has requested the DHS take down the video,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Monday.
Asked about the request by The Hill, DHS replied: “DHS is playing lockdown defense at the border. We will use every Weapon at our disposal, from A to X, to keep Americans safe,” a spokesperson for the department wrote.
Dawkins assured on X that he did not permit his name, image and likeness “to be used by anybody.”
“Take a deep breath,” he said. “Ya’ll be blessed.”
Dawkins was a nine-time Pro Bowler and five time All-Pro safety during 16 NFL seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos before retiring in 2011.
HuffPost provided additional reporting for this article.