Respected by All, Stopped by Few

Profile of Clifton Dawson

by Alex Taubman

         Dependable. Durable. Tough.  Every word used to characterize Harvard’s senior star running back and co-captain, Clifton Dawson, seems as though it could be used in an ad for a Ford pick-up truck.  The main difference is that Ford is lagging, while Clifton Dawson’s stock is on the rise. Dawson has already shattered every single-season and career rushing record that Harvard keeps, and he still has a full year to go.  In fact, Dawson is only 925 yards short of the all-time Ivy League career rushing record of 4,715 yards, a mark that has stood unrivaled for 35 years, set by Cornell’s Ed Marinaro in 1971.  Additionally, this season, Dawson looks to lead the Harvard football team to an Ivy League championship, an accomplishment that would be a fitting conclusion to his remarkable collegiate career.

            Despite being arguably the best running back in Harvard’s history, Dawson would be the last to boast about his records and accolades.  “He is unassuming and unpretentious…he’s not flashy, he’s just tough,” asserts former Harvard offensive lineman, Will Johnson ’06, “He’s not the type to care about records, or the number of carries, or the number of yards.  The most important record to Clifton is the Win-Loss record.” Dawson’s opponents would be wise not to mistake his quiet, low-key demeanor as a sign of weakness.  Certainly, his hard-nosed play talks for him.  Dawson has accumulated over 1000 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in each of his three seasons at Harvard, being named to three consecutive All-Ivy League First Teams in the process.

         This year, The Sports Network has named him a First-Team Preseason All-American and, so far, Dawson has lived up to the hype.  Dawson’s consistent domination has inspired awe in both his teammates and coaches alike. Remarks head coach Tim Murphy, “Clifton is one of the toughest, most durable, and most productive players (at any position), that I have ever been around.  He makes everyone around him better.”  Quarterback Chris Pizzotti echoes Murphy’s sentiment, “The hype is well deserved… Clifton is tough and dependable.  You can always count on him when you need a big play.”

         In the team’s first game, Dawson demolished Holy Cross, rushing for 170 yards and 3 touchdowns on the way to a Harvard victory, and was named Ivy-League player of the week for the seventh time in his career. It is clear that Dawson’s performance on the field is vital to the team’s success, but in addition to that, his teammates will look for him to fill a greater leadership role this season.  Having always led quietly by example, Dawson now seems to have grown into a more assertive leader. “He’s really stepped up this year and been more vocal.  He’s always had the respect and admiration of the younger players, so when he gives advice, they listen,” explains Pizzotti.

Undeniably, Dawson has always fostered respect in those around him.  Johnson states, “I respect the way he plays the game: tough as nails.  He brings it all to the table every Saturday and does some amazing things.  Even opposing team’s players will shake their heads after he does something and say, ‘geez, that guy’s good.’”

         

       However, impressing his teammates, coaches, and opponents is not Dawson’s objective, rather, it is merely the unavoidable byproduct of his performance and gritty attitude.  Indeed, Dawson emphasizes that his primary goals for this season are not of a personal nature. “I’d like to end my career with an Ivy League championship, but more than that, I’d like to enjoy my senior season with my teammates, and give the entire Harvard community something to be proud of.”