Former Browns Head Coach (2005-08) and current Texans Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator Romeo Crennel:

"Congratulations to Phil Dawson on an outstanding 21-year career in the NFL. Phil was an exceptional player to coach, a tremendous teammate and an even better man, both on and off the field. He was a tireless worker who had amazing success in this league while also making a positive impact on everyone he was around. I wish him, his wife Shannon, and their three kids all the best moving forward into the next stage of their lives."

Former Browns QB Tim Couch:

"Phil and I came in together in 1999. He was a phenomenal teammate and a true pro. My rookie year, he won the Steelers game for us on a last-second field goal as time expired. I knew at that point that if the game was on the line, and we had the ball and needed a field goal to win it, if I could just get Phil in range, he was going to be automatic. He was as clutch as they come. He made so many pressure kicks and won a bunch of games for us. It was an honor to call him a teammate for five seasons."

Former Browns Head Coach (2011-12) and current Giants Head Coach Pat Shurmur:

"Phil Dawson was a pro. I appreciated everything about how he approached the game. He was more than just an outstanding kicker, he was an outstanding football player, and an even better person."

Former Browns Special Teams Coordinator (2009-10) and current Texans Special Teams Coordinator Brad Seely:

"Phil Dawson was the definition of a professional. Throughout his career, Phil was a hard worker that was always trying to improve at his craft. He was a great teammate and extremely coachable. I've been incredibly fortunate to have coached some of the best kickers in the history of the NFL, and Phil is on that list."

Former Browns Special Teams Coordinator (1999) and current Chargers Offensive Coordinator Ken Whisenhunt:

"I remember the first time I met Phil was when he came to the Browns as an undrafted rookie trying to make the spot on the expansion team as a kicker. What a long way he has come. He showed in that time how disciplined, how mentally strong he was and how much he worked at his craft. It is not ever easy to kick in Cleveland and he was so proficient at that and did it for so long. I have nothing but great respect for him and how his career has progressed. To me, he is one of the best kickers ever in the history of the league and that is a tremendous tribute to his work ethic and how he handled his business."

Former Browns Pro Bowl Returner Josh Cribbs:

"My nickname for Phil was 'Old Faithful.' We never had to look and worry about if he was going to make it. When it counted, he always came through. He literally won games for us and many times was the only opportunity for us to score. When our offense struggled, me and Phil had a pact. I would get us close enough and he would knock it down."

Former Browns P Dave Zastudil: