Phil Dawson kicks for San Francisco

Lake Highlands High graduate Phil Dawson announced his retirement from the NFL yesterday. Though he last played with the Arizona Cardinals, the 21-year veteran of pro football signed a one-day ceremonial contract with the Cleveland Browns to retire as a member of the team where he’d played for 14 years and earned Pro Bowl status.

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“To have the opportunity to come back home and retire with the organization and the city that I love is incredibly meaningful to me,” Dawson said. “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 appeared in 305 regular season games during his career from 1998-2018 and ranks among the NFL’s all-time leaders with 305 games played (7th), 441 field goals made (8th), 1,847 points scored (11th) and 83.8 field goals percentage (16th).

Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam had high praise for Dawson.

“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.”

Dawson and wife, Shannon, live in Austin, where the kicker earned All-American status at the University of Texas.