BEREA, Ohio — To former Cleveland Browns kicker Phil Dawson, it is better to leave the party early than too late.
That is why Dawson announced Friday his decision to retire from the National Football League, and he did so after reporting to Browns headquarters in Berea one final time as an active player.
“It is time to walk away,” Dawson said during a press conference to announce his decision. “I do so contently and full of gratitude. I’ve simply given all I know to give to this great game that I’ve always wanted to play. While there are some things I wish went differently, I have no regrets.
“I’m back home here today, in Cleveland, Ohio, to announce that I’m retiring from the National Football League, and I’m proudly doing so as a member of my beloved Cleveland Browns.”
Signed by the expansion Browns in 1999, Dawson won the kicking job out of training camp that season and went on to become the most prolific kicker in franchise history, as he converted a team record 305 field goal attempts.
In his final season with the Browns, Dawson converted 28 of his 29 field-goal attempts and extended his career-best 29 consecutive field goals streak into a franchise record. Of those 28 conversions, six were from at least 50 yards.
Over the 2011 and 2012 seasons with the Browns, Dawson was among the NFL's best with 13 field goals of at least 50 yards. His 84.2 field goal percentage was the best all-time among kickers with at least 300 made field goals.
“This game requires your all in all,” Dawson said. “I got to the point where I just questioned if I had that in me anymore, and so, I’d rather walk away while people want me rather than walk away when people want me out the door.
“There haven’t been many days over the last six years since I left that I didn’t think about coming back to Cleveland. To have the opportunity to do it today is not only special for me, but my entire family as well.”
In addition to the 305 field goals, Dawson holds franchise records for career field goal percentage (84.0), most field goals in a season (30 in 2008), highest field goal percentage in a season (93.5 in 2012), field goals in a game (six on November 5, 2006), most consecutive field goals made (209) and most consecutive games with a field goal (23).
Dawson totaled 1,271 points in his career with the Browns, second-most in franchise history, and his 215 games are the third-most ever in Cleveland. Dawson is the only kicker in franchise history to be selected to the Pro Bowl, as Lou Groza made the all-star squad as a tackle.
Dawson will walk away from the game ranked in the top 20 in NFL history in games played (seventh with 305), field goals made (eighth with 441), points scored (11th with 1,847) and field goal percentage (16th with 83.8).
“There is no better sports town in America than Cleveland,” Dawson said. “There are no greater fans in football anywhere.
“Like I said when I was here and I still believe it to be true, there will be no greater place on the planet to be when the Lombardi Trophy goes down Euclid Avenue, and you can bet your last dollar that I’ll be there to celebrate with everyone.”
