Cleveland Browns legend Hanford Dixon was officially honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 26th Greater Cleveland Sports Awards on Thursday, February 5, 2026.
Dixon, 67, becomes the 23rd recipient of the city’s highest sporting honor, joining an elite roster of icons that includes Jim Brown, Bob Feller, and Bernie Kosar. The award recognizes not only his shutdown dominance on the field but his four decades of unwavering commitment to the Northeast Ohio community.
The Legacy of “Top Dawg”
Dixon’s impact on Cleveland sports is dual-layered: he was a premier athlete and a cultural architect for the franchise.
On-Field Dominance: Drafted 22nd overall in 1981, Dixon spent his entire 9-season career (1981–1989) in Cleveland. He was a 3-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All-Pro, recorded 26 interceptions, and anchored a secondary that led the Browns to three AFC Championship games.
Architect of the “Dawg Pound”: In 1985, Dixon and teammate Frank Minnifield began barking at the defensive line to “get after the quarterback.” This sparked a movement that transformed the east end zone into the legendary Dawg Pound, a cultural identity that remains the heartbeat of the Browns’ fanbase 40 years later.
Community Champion: Since retiring, Dixon has remained a fixture in Cleveland. He serves as a co-host for the “Top Dawgs Show” on BIGPLAY and has raised significant funds for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank as a long-time co-chair of “Taste of the Browns.”
2026 Award Highlights
The ceremony at Rocket Arena (the first year under its new name) featured a star-studded celebration of Cleveland’s rich sports history.
| Award Category | 2026 Winner |
| Lifetime Achievement | Hanford Dixon (Cleveland Browns) |
| Professional Athlete of the Year | Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns) |
| Best Fan Moment | Cleveland Guardians’ 15.5-Game Comeback |
| Jim Donovan Courage Award | Myles Grimmett (Elyria HS Basketball) |
The Reunion: Dixon was joined on stage by former teammates Frank Minnifield and Felix Wright for a special conversation reflecting on the “glory days” of 1980s Browns football.
A New Record: During the same week, current Browns star Myles Garrett made history by winning his second AP Defensive Player of the Year award, marking a passing of the torch from one Browns defensive legend to another.
“I came here and I just love the city, love the people… now you can’t get rid of me. I’m still here.” — Hanford Dixon, Feb 5, 2026
