5 Cleveland Browns since 1999 who deserved a ring

4 of 6

CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 09: Punter Reggie Hodges #2 and kicker Phil Dawson #4 of the Cleveland Browns kick off during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 9, 2012, in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Chiefs 30-7. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

3. Kicker – Phil Dawson

Not many teams would have a kicker in a list of players that deserved a ring, but not many teams had a kicker as clutch as Phil Dawson. In a time of so many coaching and roster changes, Dawson was the only piece of consistency and was on the team from 1999 to 2012.

In 14 years with the Browns Dawson was unappreciated by league fans, mainly because his team wasn’t winning. It is astonishing that in 20 years, Dawson earned one pro-bowl nomination, which was during his last year with the Browns. In Dawson’s 14-year stint with the Browns, he made 84-percent of his kicks, which included 24 makes from 50 plus yards.

Dawson was apart of the 10 win season in 2007 as well as the only playoff appearance in 2002, but still suffered far too many losing seasons with the Browns. Two of Dawson’s biggest moments were a 56-yard game-winner on Monday Night Football vs. the Buffalo Bills and the crazy crossbar kick vs. the Baltimore Ravens. Not only did Dawson tie the game to send the game to overtime, but he also hit the game-winner as well.

There aren’t many players more Cleveland than Dawson. He scored the first points for the franchise in 1999 and signed a one-day contract in 2018 to make sure he retired a Brown. No doubt, Dawson deserved a ring for his efforts and contributions to the Browns.

Home/Browns All-Time Lists