Sean Dawkins dead at 52: Tributes pour in for ex-Colts NFL star and All-American wide receiver at Cal

Tributes are pouring in for nine-year veteran NFL wide receiver Sean Dawkins, who has passed away at just 52 years old.

Dawkins was a college-level superstar, earning consensus All-American honors with California, before being picked in the first round of the NFL Draft and going on to play for five different teams.

Colts owner Jim Irsay — who chose Dawkins in the 1993 Draft — took to social media to pay tribute to the New Jersey native, writing, “Rest in peace, Sean Dawkins. I am shocked and sad. My prayers and condolences to Sean’s family.”

No cause of death has been disclosed.

Born in Red Bank, NJ, Dawkins became a star at the University of California in the 1990s, helping the team win a bowl game for the first time since the 1930s.

He scored 31 touchdowns during his time with the school—still a record for the program—and was inducted into the Cal Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005.

From there, Dawkins began his NFL career with the Colts, before moving on to the Saints, Seahawks, Jaguars and Vikings.

He played 140 games in his NFL career and scored a total of 25 touchdowns.

“Heart is broken by the tragic loss of Sean Dawkins, a true legend of the @Cal Bear community,” NBA legend Jason Kidd wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. His remarkable talent brought joy to fans and inspired many. Our sincere condolences to his loved ones at this difficult time. Rest in peace, Sean.’

Elsewhere, former Colt Dr. Derwin Gray: Another of my teammates, Sean Dawkins, passed away at the age of 52. Sean and I were in the Colts 1993 Draft Class. He was one of the first major WR in the NFL at 6’5, 220. He was elegant, such a great football player. Tough day.’

Dawkins had his best years in Indianapolis, playing in the playoffs in 1994 and 1995. In the latter, he caught a go-ahead 42-yard touchdown pass from Jim Harbaugh in a Wildcard win over the Chargers.

Statistically, his best year in the league came with the Seahawks in 1999 when he scored seven touchdowns, had 992 receiving yards and 17.2 yards per reception.

Following his retirement from the game, it has been widely reported that Dawkins entered the real estate industry while also pursuing a career in law enforcement and training to become a police officer.