NFL Clashes With Donald Trump’s White House — Demands DHS Take Down Video Featuring Eagles Hall Of Famer
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The latest social media post from a federal agency has drawn a formal response from the league. NFL officials moved quickly once the clip circulated widely on Sunday evening.
A Department of Homeland Security account shared the footage in reply to claims about a migrant caravan approaching the southern border.
The post featured intense on-field collisions and a familiar pregame chant.
That material came from the career of Brian Dawkins, a longtime Philadelphia Eagles safety now in the Hall of Fame.
League Requests Immediate Removal Of Unauthorized Footage
The NFL has asked the Department of Homeland Security to take down the video, according to league spokesman Brian McCarthy. Neither the league nor the Eagles granted permission for the use of the game footage.
The clip opens with Brian Dawkins preparing for battle and chanting his signature phrase before cutting to a series of hard hits. DHS captioned the post “Our time has come.”
Dawkins later made his own position clear.
“I have very respectfully not given permission.”
In a separate video response, he added further emphasis on the lack of consent for his name, image and likeness. The original post remained online through Monday evening despite the formal request.
DHS responded to inquiries by stating it is playing lockdown defense at the border and will use every available tool to keep Americans safe. The statement referenced Dawkins’ old “Weapon X” nickname.
This is not the first time official accounts have incorporated league material. Earlier this year, the White House posted a video mixing football highlights with footage related to military action in Iran. The NFL offered no public comment at the time, and that clip stayed online for months. Ryan Clark previously blasted the White House over their embarrassing actions involving similar use of sports footage.
Rights Dispute Highlights Broader Control Issues
The league controls official game film and rarely allows outside entities to repurpose it without approval. A team source confirmed neither the Eagles nor the NFL consented to this particular usage.
Dawkins spent 13 of his 16 professional seasons in Philadelphia and earned induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018. His physical style and intense pregame routines made him a fan favorite during his playing days.
As of the latest reports, the DHS video continues to circulate. The league has not indicated whether further legal steps will follow the initial request.
Officials will continue monitoring the situation while protecting their intellectual property rights.
