[1] Nicknamed 'Simba', Dawes has played as a defender or midfielder, starting his career at Jamaican club Galaxy F.C.
[2][3] In 2001, he signed for MLS club MetroStars only to be traded to Colorado Rapids for a 2002 draft pick.
He also played for the Jamaica national football team and was a participant at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
[6] He played his last international in 2001 against Costa Rica and earned over 60 caps for the Reggae Boyz.
He is currently manager of Jamaica National Premier League side Sporting Central Academy but is currently on an educational sabbatical working on his coaching badges in the United States and England.