Former Cal All-American, ex-NFL receiver dead at 52

Sean Dawkins, a former All-American wide receiver at Cal who played nine seasons in the NFL, has died. Dawkins, who gained national attention while starring at Homestead High of Cupertino, was 52.

A Cal Athletics spokesman on Thursday confirmed Dawkins’ death. No details about Dawkins’ death were available.

Felipe the Firebird acknowledges the passing of Sean Dawkins, an FUHSD legend and 1990 graduate of rival Homestead HS. Dawkins played at Cal and 9 years in the NFL. He is one of the finest athletes in FUHSD history, and will be missed in the greater HHS/FHS Sunnyvale communities. pic.twitter.com/4A0BEZrLbt

— Fremont High School (Sunnyvale) Athletics (@FHS_Sunnyvale) August 10, 2023

Dawkins was a speedy, 6-foot-4 receiver who was a major offensive force on some of Cal’s best teams in decades while setting a pair of school records. In 1990, he helped the Bears win their first bowl game in more than 50 years with a Copper Bowl victory over Wyoming. Dawkins became an All-American after his junior season in which he caught 65 passes for 1,070 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Bears. The 14 touchdowns remain a single-season Cal record and his 31 career TD catches are also a record.

After declaring for the NFL draft, Dawkins was selected 16th overall in the 1993 draft by the Indianapolis Colts. He spent five seasons with the Colts, where he compiled most of his NFL career numbers of 445 catches for 6,291 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Dawkins also played for the Saints, Seahawks and Jaguars in a career that lasted until 2001. Dawkins’ best statistical season was in 1999, when he caught 58 passes for 992 yards and seven touchdowns to help Seattle win the AFC West.

“Rest in peace, Sean Dawkins,” Colts owner Jim Irsay tweeted Thursday. “I am shocked and saddened. My prayers and condolences to Sean’s family.”

Rest in peace, Sean Dawkins. I am shocked and saddened. My prayers and condolences to Sean’s family.

— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) August 10, 2023