April 3, 2010
Paul Dawson is a giving guy
by Phillip Shore/
Paul Dawson
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If you search Paul Dawson on YouTube you’ll get a series of videos featuring big hits and lots of fist fights.
If you went to West End Johnnies in Boston Friday afternoon you saw the softer side of the 6-foot-5-inch tower of a defenseman.
As part of the Blazers and National Lacrosse League’s Black Out Cancer night, Dawson had his head shaved and donated the hair to Locks of Love via Friends Place, part of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
“I know [cancer] causes a tremendous amount of pain,” the newly shaved Dawson said. “Anytime I can help someone’s quality of life improve you can count me in.”
Dawson has been growing out his hair since July 2008. He started the process as just something for fun, but soon realized that he could do something positive for society with it.
Promoted as the “tough guy,” Paul was quick to point out that he’s a completely different person when the lacrosse pads come off.
“My job is to be the rough, tough, big guy on the field,” he said. “I’m actually a pretty mild-mannered guy off the field.”
Cameras and smart phones were rolling as Dawson sat on a stool facing the crowd as a woman stood behind him and shaved his head with a razor.
In attendance supporting his endeavors were a small group of fans, teammates, including his brother Dan, and even his mother, Julie, who was in the city for the weekend to watch the hair-cutting festivities and the game Saturday night between her sons on the Blazers and her son-in-law Billy Greer of the Orlando Titans.
“Paul has the most amazing heart, just full of kindness,” she said, beaming with pride. “Sometimes [people] don’t know the real Paul. When he’s out there fighting, especially with all the hair, he looks like a wild man. I say, ‘Paul, they don’t know why you’re growing your hair out.’ ”
Dawson and the Blazers returned to action Saturday night at TD Garden against the Titans. Fans were encouraged to wear black in support of the league’s Black Out Cancer theme.
One of Dawson’s concerns about the game was if he could get his helmet to fit properly now that he no longer has the long hair.
“I’ll definitely have to tighten it,” he said. “It’s on the biggest setting right now, so hopefully the smaller setting will fit or else I’ll need to get a new helmet. I guess I’ll see tonight at practice.”
