Dawson, a long-time Alabama football fan and fixture on sports talk radio over the years, has died.

Ryan Fowler of Tide 100.9 first reported the news on social media.

Dawson was a long-time listener of “The Finebaum Show” who spent the last few years calling Fowler’s show.

Per Fowler’s post:

“About 1-2 months ago, Dawson called in for the final time to my show. He wanted to tell the audience that he had been diagnosed with cancer (Leukemia) and the prognosis was not a good one. He shared several things, but he ended his call by saying that I am on a winning team. He proclaimed his faith in Jesus Christ and said I know where I am going when I pass away. He asked the audience to pray for his family, because they were having a hard time with his diagnosis.”

Dawson, who was known for his lengthy but passionate calls, was a Baptist minister who loved his Crimson Tide.

“For a long time, he was both a regular and distinctive caller,” Paul Finebaum said when reached by AL.com. “He had a very pronounced southern drawl, and, for a time during the early 2000s, he was often commenting on the University of Tennessee in relation to Alabama’s NCAA issues.

“I also loved taking his calls because he would rile up nearly everyone in the audience. I am so sorry to hear of his passing, but his voice will continue to live on in the soundtrack of sports radio in Alabama.”

In his social media post, Fowler said he planned to do a “special show to honor him at some point this week. We will miss your calls and the spirit you showed for the Alabama Crimson Tide.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.