BEREA, Ohio — It is not every day that a kicker gets to hold a press conference to announce his retirement from the National Football League, but then again, former Cleveland Browns placekicker Phil Dawson was not the average specialist.
Dawson went from being “the one we’re going to start with” when the expansion Browns returned to the NFL in 1999 to becoming the most prolific kicker in franchise history and a revered member of the organization, so much so that nearly a dozen former coaches and teammates extended their well wishes to him on his retirement.
“He’s obviously one of the all-time great Browns,” former Browns coordinator Chris Tabor said. “I loved his professionalism and the big-game mentality that he always had. Just a true professional both on and off the field. I’m so happy for him. There’s a reason we called him ‘Iron Leg’ -- the guy could kick forever and never miss. He’s the best.”
Former left tackle Joe Thomas added, “Phil Dawson is synonymous with some of my favorite moments as a Cleveland Brown. From him hitting the stanchion on the goalpost in Baltimore to the Snow Bowl game in Cleveland where he made two field goals in 40-mile winds and blizzard conditions, he was the definition of a professional. I always admired the way he went about his business.”
In 2012, 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.
“Phil was an exceptional player to coach, a tremendous teammate and an even better man, both on and off the field,” former Browns coach Romeo Crennel said.
“He was a tireless worker who had amazing success in this league while also making a positive impact on everyone he was around. I wish him, his wife Shannon, and their three kids all the best moving forward into the next stage of their lives.”
Former Browns coordinator Jerry Rosburg added, “It is my belief that Phil Dawson is one of the greatest kickers this league has ever seen, and one of the best Cleveland Browns players in the history of the franchise. For him to become one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history while playing in some of the most adverse field and weather conditions is a testament to his skill, toughness and work ethic.”
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 (29) 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).
“My nickname for Phil was ‘Old Faithful,’” Pro Bowl returner Joshua Cribbs said.
“We never had to look and worry about if he was going to make it. When it counted, he always came through. He literally won games for us, and many times, was the only opportunity for us to score. When our offense struggled, me and Phil had a pact. I would get us close enough and he would knock it down.”
