Tuesday, Aug. 11, AM – Phil Dawson’s Legacy and the 49ers’ Collapse
If you’re a longtime Browns fan, the name Phil Dawson likely comes to mind when you think of stability and excellence—qualities that have been sorely lacking in the chaos surrounding the San Francisco 49ers in recent years. When the 49ers parted ways with elite pass rusher Aldon Smith after another off-field incident, it marked just one more chapter in a series of negative headlines for the once-mighty franchise. Since the end of that promising era capped by Jim Harbaugh’s departure for Michigan, the 49ers have spiraled. They may one day look back and regret letting Harbaugh walk. In fact, they likely already do.
Dawson, who served the Browns faithfully from their 1999 expansion season through 2012, is unquestionably the greatest kicker in team history. Yes, even more so than Matt Bahr, Matt Stover, Don Cockroft, and the legendary Lou Groza—names etched in Browns lore. Dawson may not be in the Hall of Fame like Groza, but he’s firmly in the conversation as one of the best kickers the NFL has seen.
Following a 5-11 finish in 2012, with so much broken in the organization, Dawson was one of the few bright spots. He had just completed a season in which he made 29 of 31 field goals, a mark of both consistency and excellence. As a free agent, he wanted to stay in Cleveland. But CEO Joe Banner, in what can generously be called a misstep, allowed him to leave without so much as a conversation. It was a baffling move from a front office that had money to spend and more than a few holes to patch—yet let one of their most dependable players walk out the door.
That front office—Banner and GM Mike Lombardi—made plenty of questionable decisions in their short stint, but this one ranks near the top. They didn’t just lose a great kicker. They lost a leader, a symbol of perseverance, and one of the most respected players in franchise history. What were they thinking?
Meanwhile, Dawson signed with San Francisco, filling what had long been a gaping hole in the 49ers’ lineup: a reliable kicker. Many thought he’d be the final piece to a championship puzzle. And while it was bittersweet to see him go, fans in Cleveland were genuinely happy for him. He had earned that chance at a Super Bowl—something he often said he’d trade all his personal accolades to achieve.
But the Super Bowl never came. Despite his continued excellence, the 49ers fell short. And now, with the franchise in disarray—stripped of talent, identity, and direction—they may be in worse shape than the Browns. That’s not hyperbole. That’s reality.
Ironically, Dawson’s much-anticipated return to Cleveland—scheduled for Dec. 13 that season—looked like it might be a triumphant homecoming. Instead, it turned into just another late-season game between two struggling franchises, both well out of playoff contention. And while the 49ers were clearly in decline, the Browns, for once, may have actually been in a better position.
As Dawson approached 40, the window for that elusive championship began to close. The man who gave everything for a losing team and left only to chase glory with a contender may never get the storybook ending he deserved.
And that’s a shame—not just for Dawson, but for Browns fans too. Because sometimes, loyalty and greatness go unrewarded. But they’re never forgotten.
Steve King
Note: We are compensated for qualifying purchases made through links on this website
