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Dion Dawkins is entering Year 10 as the left tackle for the Buffalo Bills, but more importantly, his ninth campaign protecting quarterback Josh Allen’s blind spot.
But Dawkins’ job description isn’t your quintessential left tackle “block-anything-that-tries-to-enter-your-pocket” situation. Allen, the 2025 NFL MVP, is the cause of that.
Allen is making highlight-reel plays by the week with his ability to keep plays that should result in a sack alive, scrambling his way around the field, sometimes running sideline to sideline, just to pick up positive yardage.
It’s thankless most of the time, but Dawkins and his linemates are running around trying to help Allen at the same time. So, how exactly does Dawkins feel heading into his ninth year with Allen as the man under center?
“People think playing for Josh Allen is the best thing in the world – it f—ing sucks. All right? It absolutely sucks,” Dawkins told Fox News Digital at Fanatics Fest after riding through an off-road obstacle course outside the Javits Center in New York City as part of Polaris’ and Call of Duty’s activation for the fan event.
Obviously, Dawkins is being very sarcastic here, but that’s the type of relationship these two share. It’s more than just being teammates – it’s a brotherhood.
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Dawkins, older by two years, has the role of protective big brother, which also means cracking jokes.
“Josh is here and there and you gotta know where he is at all times,” he continued. “But the best thing about having Josh, when you’ve played with him for so long – not that I birthed Josh. But I birthed Josh. I was in there with Tyrod Taylor and then here comes Josh. So, me knowing how Josh moves and how he flows, it’s been great.
“It’s a gift and a curse because you don’t know where he is. But what I always say, it’s more of a gift than a curse. Sometimes, you don’t know where he is, but Josh will get you out of trouble more than we’ll get him in, and I appreciate him.”
The entire city of Buffalo appreciates the hustle, determination, and at times, acrobatics that Allen needs to do the things he’s known for on the football field.
At the same time, Dawkins is one of the best in the NFL at what he does, which makes Allen’s life much easier. Dawkins earned his fifth straight Pro Bowl last year, though he’ll tell you like the rest of the Bills’ roster: they’re not satisfied until the Vince Lombardi Trophy is in hand.
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To make that happen, the combination of Allen and Dawkins are paramount – even if the latter can’t stand the extra cardio the former makes him put in.
Hitting the road with Polaris and Call of Duty
Right across the street from the Javits Center, Polaris, the American automobile manufacturer, and Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 created an off-road obstacle course that Fanatics Fest attendees could navigate throughout the four-day event this weekend.
Dawkins got a first taste of the experience in a Polaris RZR, which will be featured in the latest edition of the video game franchise when it comes out in October.
Dawkins, an automobile aficionado himself, loved every second of the obstacle course, and even let out a shriek when the driver floored it over a hill at the end.
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“If there was just a longer stretch, we really would’ve went flying,” Dawkins said, laughing.
The experience was one that had Dawkins itching to get into his own vehicle.
“I already told them I need three of these because we can all be in the woods in Buffalo at Big Indian going crazy,” Dawkins said. “It holds and grabs so well – no problem. I just want to see it through the puddles, ponds and when it gets real wet and real soft on the ground underneath. Click the four-wheel drive and get that thing moving.”
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