Kicker Phil Dawson Announces Retirement; To Ink Deal to Retire with the Browns

Phil Dawson was never much for fanfare when he was kicking for the Browns during some very lean years in terms of wins by the Lakefront.

Now he will finally get the recognition he very much deserves.

It was announced today that the 44-year-old kicker is retiring, and that he will ink a one-day deal with the team that made him famous, having the chance to officially retire as as Cleveland Brown.

“To have the opportunity to come back home and retire with the organization and the city that I love is incredibly meaningful to me,” said Dawson.

“It only seems right to have the opportunity to do this with the fans that have been so good to me and my family.”

Dawson kicked for the Browns when they came back to the league in 1999. He was with the team through the 2012 season, and still holds team records for most career field goals (305), highest 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 Nov. 5, 2006), most consecutive field goals made (29) and most consecutive games with a field goal (23).

He scored 1,271 points with Cleveland, the second most by a Brown, and his 215 games are the third-most by a Browns player. In 2012, Dawson became the only Browns kicker selected to the Pro Bowl (Lou Groza was selected as a tackle).

“We are thrilled that Phil Dawson wanted to come back and retire as a Cleveland Brown,” said Dee and Jimmy Haslam.

“He epitomizes the characteristics that we look for in our players – hardworking, professional, consistent and he was a pillar in the community. He is a great example for all current and future Browns.”

Overall Dawson played in 305 career regular season games during his 21 NFL seasons from 1998-2018. He ranks among the all-time NFL leaders 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).

After leaving the Browns, Dawson went on to play for San Francisco (2013-16) and Arizona (2017-18).