Dawson’s teammates took great pride in the 14-year veteran’s selection to his first Pro Bowl.
“We understand that this is a tough league,” linebacker D’Qwell Jackson said. “It’s hard enough to make the league, and for what he’s gone through, for how well he’s played in his career, he’s been through a lot of ups, a lot of downs with this organization and for him to get that recognition from his peers, it’s a great honor. It doesn’t go to a greater guy. I’m happy for him and it means the world to see a guy get appreciated for the work he’s done over the past 15 years.”
Browns coach Pat Shurmur said that he was “extremely pleased” with Dawson’s selection to the Pro Bowl.
“I have a huge appreciation for him,” Shurmur said. “In the last two years, he is one of the outstanding kickers. He does it, and we would all agree, in a climate, at times, that’s less than ideal for kickers. He’s kicked at a high level for a very long time and I’m extremely thrilled that he was recognized by his peers, the coaches and the fans.”
Dawson, the first Browns kicker selected to the Pro Bowl, has converted all six of his attempts from at least 50 yards and is 12 for 12 from 40 or more yards this season. In the last two years, Dawson has converted 13 of 14 attempts from 50 or more yards. He has converted 28 of 29 attempts (96.6 percent) of his field goal tries this year and leads the AFC in kicking percentage.
Earlier this year, Dawson extended his career-best and Browns-record streak of made field goals to 29. Dawson has scored 112 points and has reached the 100-point plateau in six different seasons, a team record.
“It’s been a fun day getting to share it with them, the coaches, the equipment guys who are always quick to give me a hard time about stuff,” Dawson said. “It’s been a really fun day just to see everybody excited. I couldn’t have done any of this without these guys, and so, to share it with them, it makes it pretty neat.
“There’s been some pretty good moments. It was a pretty special moment last night with my family. The kids are old enough now to know what it means. Had it happened years ago, that obviously wouldn’t have been the case. Last night was one of the good ones and today’s been a great one with my teammates. It’s right up there with any of them. It’s obviously worth the wait and it makes it even better that I’ve got a family to share it with.”
