Hanford Dixon was offered with the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission’s Lifetime Achievement Award on Thursday, highlighting his historic profession as a cornerback for the Browns, in addition to his continued work in the group following his enjoying profession. He is the 23rd recipient of the award.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is given yearly to an individual who has devoted their life to the development of sports activities in Cleveland. Hanford was acknowledged on stage at the 26th Greater Cleveland Sports Awards on Feb. 5.
“When I first heard that I was getting an award, the first thing I said was ‘wow,'” Dixon stated. “Because when you look at it and really put it in perspective, when you look at some of the names of some of the people that have won this award, you hold your head high. I have so much respect for some of the past recipients of this award. I’m just blessed and happy to be on that list and to be recognized as someone that’s trying to put a dent in this community and make this community a little bit better.”
Dixon was first drafted by the Browns in 1981 and spent the entirety of his NFL profession in Cleveland till 1989. He was part of one among the strongest secondaries in the league alongside All-pro cornerback Frank Minnifield. Over the course of his profession, Dixon recorded 26 interceptions, earned three Pro Bowl picks and was named to 2 All-Pro groups. Dixon helped lead the Browns to 6 playoff appearances, together with three AFC Championship video games, turning into a defensive centerpiece throughout one among the most profitable eras in the historical past of the franchise.
Dixon can also be credited as one among the gamers who helped title the “Dawg Pound,” the well-known group of Browns trustworthy who sit in the east finish zone and cheer for the Browns every Sunday. Sections 118-122 at Huntington Bank Field are devoted to the most devoted Browns followers in the stadium. The barking that began at coaching camp in 1985 spearheaded the creation of latest chants and barks that will go on to type the Browns “Dawg” id for the final 40 years.
“I came here and I just love the city, love the people now you can’t get rid of me,” Dixon stated. “I’m still here. But things that really stand out is obviously the teams we had. Some of the players we had on that team – guys like Clay Matthews, Ozzie Newsome, Chip Banks, obviously my partner in crime Frank Minnifield, Bernie Kosar, Kevin Mack, just to name a few – just some of the relationships that I had and still have today with a lot of those guys.”
Following his enjoying profession, Dixon stayed in Cleveland the place he continues to offer again to the group by way of his ongoing involvement with the Browns. Beyond soccer, he has additionally established himself as a revered broadcaster and tv character.
Through Legends Clinics, Dixon additionally companions with the Browns’ area refurbishment initiative to mentor younger athletes. In 2023, Dixon helped create unforgettable reminiscences for most cancers survivors by way of the Super Bowl Surprise initiative—sending deserving people to the largest video games of the yr for an expertise stuffed with hope and pleasure.
As a two-time Co-Chair of Taste of the Browns, he has championed the Greater Cleveland Food Bank’s mission, elevating consciousness and important help for starvation reduction efforts throughout the area. Most just lately, by way of the Stay in the Game! Top Dawgs attendance celebration, Dixon stunned college students who had been honored for excellent college attendance, reinforcing the significance of training and perseverance.
“The people here in Cleveland remind me a lot of other people in Mobile and Theodore, Alabama, and my mom and dad – just blue collar, hardworking people, and that’s what Cleveland is all about,” Dixon stated. “And that’s why it was very important after I stayed here for me to do things in the community. I used to have football camps for kids, and that was very, very important to me. Just try to get involved, and every time I have a chance to talk to a youth or help a kid along the way, I’m just happy to do that.”
As Dixon accepted the award at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards, his 4 youngsters had been in attendance to see their father acknowledged by the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.
The Browns worth the work of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and have collaborated for many years, relationship again to the very starting of the Sports Awards. Their continued dedication to shine a highlight on sports activities all through the yr, and this occasion acknowledges athletes at each stage, from highschool standouts to skilled stars.
The Greater Cleveland Sports Awards is an annual fundraiser to help the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, an area non-profit with its objectives of enhancing the financial system and the group by way of internet hosting main sporting and aggressive occasions. Since 2000, the Great Cleveland Sports Commission has introduced over 270 sporting occasions to the space, which has created greater than $1 billion in financial exercise in Northeast Ohio.