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

Sean Dawkins, a former Cal All-American wide receiver who played in the NFL for nine seasons, has died. Dawkins, who rose to national prominence as a star at Cupertino’s Homestead High School, was 52.

On Thursday, a spokesman for Cal Athletics confirmed Dawkins’ death. There was no information available about Dawkins’ death.

Dawkins was a quick, 6-foot-4 receiver who was a major offensive force on some of Cal’s best teams in decades, setting two school records along the way. With a Copper Bowl victory over Wyoming in 1990, he helped the Bears win their first bowl game in more than 50 years. Dawkins was named an All-American after catching 65 passes for 1,070 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Bears during his junior season. His 14 touchdowns remain a single-season Cal record, as do his 31 career TD catches.

The Indianapolis Colts selected Dawkins 16th overall in the 1993 NFL Draft after he declared for the draft. He played five seasons for the Colts, where he amassed the majority of his NFL career totals of 445 catches for 6,291 yards and 25 touchdowns.

In a career that lasted until 2001, Dawkins also played for the Saints, Seahawks, and Jaguars. Dawkins had his best season statistically 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,” tweeted Colts owner Jim Irsay on Thursday. “I’m stunned and saddened. My thoughts and prayers are with Sean’s family.”