You may remember Dawkins, a former Badgers wide receiver, as part of storied 1994 Rose Bowl championship team. Now Dawkins, 47, just a year post-heart attack and a few months into his new job, is bringing the passion he brought to his football career to a new challenge — improving the health of African American men in Dane County.
Dawkins was recently hired as outreach coordinator for the Rebalanced-Life Wellness Association, a men’s health and wellness center run out of a Madison barbershop by Aaron Perry, an Ironman competitor and athlete in his own right.
The health center provides health education, screenings and other programs targeting African American males. Both men are passionate about sports and health, and are keenly aware of the health disparities facing black men in their community, where, in Dane County, the life expectancy of a black man is just 52 years. Perry is currently using a grant from the UW School of Medicine and Public Health’s Wisconsin Partnership Program to expand his efforts.
Dawkins is hoping he can connect with the men in his community, through the barbershop and other outreach activities – not only about football – but about the health risks they face. Says Dawkins, “If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.”