Any Eagles fan can tell you about a favorite memory they have of the team, be it a Brian Dawkins hit, a Randall Cunningham touchdown or a Reggie White sack.

Not many get to have an experience like Eagles' second-round draft pick Vinny Curry.

The Eagles welcomed the lifelong Eagles fan to their family as a player on the same day legendary safety Brian Dawkins retired as a member of the team, and the former Marshall defensive end couldn't be happier about it.

"Growing up an Eagle fan and being blessed with the opportunity to see Brian Dawkins retire and give his speech here, this has got to be the best day of my life," Curry said while fighting back tears of joy at his introductory press conference. "This moment, I will never forget in my life."

"To be here ... it's just unbelievable," the 6-3, 266-pound Curry said. "There's never a dream too big."

Projected by some to be a first-round pick after earning Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year honors last season, Curry began to hope he'd end up in Philadelphia as the picks went by. Being selected in the second round turned out to be a blessing as Curry ended up in his ideal landing spot.

"I just kept praying that Coach (Andy) Reid would pull the trigger," Curry said. "I slid into the greatest situation ever.

"It's a blessing to be here and I thank them so much."

On the day Dawkins, one of Curry's favorite players as a fan, retired from the game, Curry begins his NFL career. He had the chance to meet Dawkins, as well as a bevy of former players, all of whom he said welcome him to the Eagles family. Curry said Dawkins told him he was coming into a fantastic city and organization and to enjoy every moment of it.

Like any football fan, Curry imagined himself playing for his favorite team on Sundays while watching games growing up. As draft picks began to tick away in the 2012 NFL Draft, Curry realized there was a chance for his dream to become reality.

Proving his fanhood, Curry said he turned down the NFL Network's request to come to his house during the draft because he didn't want to have to take down his Eagles memorabilia. He said he has a Brian Westbrook jersey, as well as many Eagles hats, hanging on the walls of his room.

Like Dawkins in Philadelphia, Curry took on a leadership role while at Marshall. While he was a quiet player early in his college career, Curry said his teammates were leaning on him by his junior year, and as a senior he took it upon himself to bring the team closer together.

While Dawkins spoke of being passionate and hating to lose, Curry said he saw some of his own characteristics in Dawkins.

"He wears his emotions on his sleeve, just as well as I wear my emotions on my sleeve," Curry said. "When he was talking about sore losing and not wanting to shake the other person's hand, it just sounded like me, an older version."

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