Marcus Dixon

Marcus Dwayne Dixon (born September 16, 1984) is an American football coach and a former defensive end in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Hampton University.

For the fictional character on the television series Alias, see Marcus Dixon (Alias).

Marcus Dixon
Dixon in training camp in 2009.
No. 94, 95
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1984-09-16) September 16, 1984
Rome, Georgia
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:295 lb (134 kg)
Career information
High school:Lindale (GA) Pepperell
College:Hampton
Undrafted:2008
Career history
As player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:22
Tackles:21
Sacks:2.5
Forced fumbles:1
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Dixon is also known for a 2003 court case in which, whilst still at high school, he was convicted of statutory rape and aggravated child molestation. The latter charge was later overturned by the Georgia Supreme Court.[1][2]

Early years

Dixon attended Pepperell High School, where he competed in football, basketball and track. As a junior, he registered 98 tackles (12 for loss), 3 sacks and 7 passes defensed, receiving first-team All-area honors. He also placed third in the regional shot put and discus.

As a senior, he attempted to play in the season opener with a chip bone in his left knee, but he suffered a setback. On September 17, he underwent knee surgery and was not able to continue playing football during his recovery process.

He was a grade A student and excelled on the football field to the point where he had been offered a full scholarship at Vanderbilt University, which he was unable to undertake due to his subsequent imprisonment.[3]

College career

Upon his release from prison, Dixon accepted a football scholarship from Division I-AA Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia.[4] As a true freshman, he appeared in all 12 games, starting 6 of the last 7 contests. He had 38 tackles (seventh on the team) and 9 tackles for loss (fifth on the team).

As a sophomore, he started 9 out of 10 games, collecting 33 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 7 tackles for loss and one interception.

As a junior, he started in all 11 games playing at defensive end and defensive tackle, while making 25 tackles, 4 sacks (third on the team) and 5.5 tackles for loss.

As a senior, he posted 58 tackles (third on the team), 5 sacks (tied for the team lead), 8 quarterback hurries, 16 tackles for loss (led the team), 2 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one block kick. In the season opener against Morgan State University, he tallied 9 tackles (2.5 for loss), one sack and had a 13-yard touchdown reception as a tight end.

In four seasons with the Pirates, he finished with 154 tackles and 11.5 sacks. He was a three-time captain, an All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) selection in his last two years and contributed to 3 MEAC championships.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

On April 27, 2008, Dixon signed a three-year, $1.1 million deal with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent. He was slowed with groin and abdominal injuries, only playing in the last preseason game. He was waived on August 30.

In 2009, he was slowed with a back injury during the preseason. He was released on September 5 and signed to the practice squad on September 7.

In 2010, he saw limited playing time during preseason. He was released on September 4, 2010.[5]

New York Jets

On September 5, 2010, he was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets.[6] He was active in 3 games with one start, making 4 tackles and one sack.

An exclusive rights free agent, Dixon was signed to a one-year contract on January 26, 2011.[7] He appeared in 16 games with 3 starts, posting 16 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one pass defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery during the season.

He was released on September 1, 2012.[8] He was re-signed to the active roster on September 4.[9] He appeared in 3 games, before being released on September 24.[10] In his time with the Jets, he played in 22 games (4 starts), registering 21 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one pass defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Kansas City Chiefs

On February 9, 2013, he was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs.[11] He was cut on August 31.[12]

Tennessee Titans

On January 3, 2014, Dixon was signed to a futures contract with the Tennessee Titans.[13] He was released during final cuts on August 29.[14]

BC Lions (CFL)

On October 20, 2014, Dixon was signed to the BC Lions practice roster in the Canadian Football League.[15] He made his CFL debut in the final game of the regular season against the Calgary Stampeders.[16] He was re-signed on March 2, 2015. He retired on April 30, 2015.[17]

Personal life

Dixon v. State case

Kristie Brown alleged that on February 10, 2003 Dixon forced her to have sex, taking her virginity.[18] She has stated that contrary to Dixon's supporters' belief she was never Dixon's girlfriend and although they shared classes, they barely knew each other. The jury acquitted Dixon of rape, battery, assault and false imprisonment but because Brown was only 15 and Dixon 18 at the time of the incident found him guilty of statutory rape and aggravated child molestation. Because of this Dixon was convicted at the mandatory amount under Georgia law, 10 years imprisonment.[19] If he had been found guilty of rape, he would have faced a much less severe punishment.[19][20]

Supporters of Dixon including the NAACP and the Rev. Joseph Lowery's People's Agenda alleged the charges were racially motivated. The President of the Children's Defense Fund, Marian Wright Edelman called it a "Legal Lynching".[21]

Overturned conviction and release

The Georgia Supreme Court overturned Dixon's conviction for child molestation and he was released the same day, on May 3, 2004. The court let his conviction for misdemeanor statutory rape stand. After Dixon's release both he and Brown appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show in an attempt to clarify their stories.[22]

Coaching career

In 2012, he was a volunteer defensive line coach at Shorter University. In 2015, he was offered a Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship by the Dallas Cowboys from May through the first week of September. In 2016, he was hired as an assistant football coach for the defensive line and tight ends at Darlington School.

In 2017, he was hired as the defensive line assistant football coach at Hampton University. In 2018, he added the role of Director of Player Development. In 2019, he was named the assistant football coach for defensive ends and also served as director of player development and recruiting coordinator.

See also

References
  1. "Teen's sentence a shock to jurors". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. June 2, 2003. Archived from the original on August 3, 2003. Retrieved August 21, 2007. When Marcus Dixon was sentenced to prison for aggravated child molestation and statutory rape, several members of the Floyd County jury were stunned that the former football star received a 15-year term, including 10 years without hope of parole. Dixon, an 18-year-old honor student with a full football scholarship to Vanderbilt University, had been accused of having forced sex with a 15-year-old girl in a Pepperell High School classroom trailer in February. He contended the sex was ...
  2. Younge, Gary (January 23, 2004). "Deep south divided by rape case". The Guardian. London. Retrieved August 21, 2007. The case of a black high school student sentenced to 10 years in prison for having sex with a white 15-year-old classmate in Georgia is igniting long-standing racial tensions in the deep south. As protesters gathered outside Georgia supreme court on Wednesday, holding candles and singing We Shall Overcome, Marcus Dixon's lawyers were arguing to appeal judges that his punishment was unusually harsh.
  3. "With no bitterness, Marcus Dixon moves on living the good life". Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  4. "High School Football Star Marcus Dixon Receives Scholarship to Attend Hampton". July 25, 2007. Archived from the original on March 5, 2008. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  5. "Cowboys' final cuts are in". ESPN. September 4, 2010. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  6. Vrentas, Jenny (September 5, 2010). "Jets cut David Clowney, claim three off waivers". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  7. Vrentas, Jenny (January 26, 2011), "Jets deny Raiders permission to interview secondary coach Dennis Thurman", The Star-Ledger, archived from the original on January 29, 2011, retrieved June 14, 2020
  8. Jets Media Relations Department (September 1, 2012). "Jets Announce Roster, Practice Squad Moves". New York Jets. Archived from the original on September 3, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  9. Orr, Conor (September 4, 2012). "Jets release punter T.J. Conley, add former Chargers P Robert Malone, re-sign DT Marcus Dixon". The Star-Ledger. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  10. Cimini, Rich (September 24, 2012). "Jets release DT Marcus Dixon". ESPN New York. Archived from the original on September 28, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  11. Allen, Patrick (February 9, 2013). "Chiefs Sign Marcus Dixon". Arrowhead Addict. Archived from the original on February 15, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  12. Teicher, Adam. "Kansas City Chiefs cut-down analysis". ESPN. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  13. "Titans Add Three Players to Roster". Tennessee Titans. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  14. Kuharsky, Paul. "Tennessee Titans cut-down analysis". ESPN. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  15. "Transactions". cfl.ca. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  16. "Marcus Dixon". bclions.com. Archived from the original on April 29, 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  17. "BC Lions Transactions". bclions.com. Archived from the original on August 23, 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  18. "Marcus Dixon overcomes molestation conviction in high school and racism on long journey to NFL and NY Jets". Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  19. Marcus Dixon. snopes.com. Retrieved on October 14, 2013.
  20. People's Weekly World – Act now to free Marcus Dixon Archived April 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  21. "Marcus Dixon overcomes molestation conviction in high school and racism on long journey to NFL and NY Jets". NY Dail News. November 22, 2011. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  22. "Dixon making most of second chance". ESPN. November 22, 2011. Retrieved June 14, 2020.

Further reading
  • Arey, Norman. "Teenager's Appeal to High Court to Attack Sentencing Guidelines." Atlanta Journal-Constitution. January 20, 2004 (p. B1).
  • Arey, Norman. "Ex-Star Athlete Guilty in Sex Case." Atlanta Journal-Constitution. May 16, 2003 (p. C4).
  • Dadigan, Marc. "Dixon Suit Settled for $130,000." Rome News-Tribune. June 14, 2005.
  • Edelman, Marian Wright. "Old South Lingers in a Legal Lynching." Los Angeles Times. January 22, 2004 (p. B17).
  • Gregory, Lauren. "Accuser Gets Settlement from System." Rome News-Tribune. June 11, 2005.
  • Gregory, Lauren. "Marcus Dixon Movie Possible." Rome News-Tribune. June 11, 2005.
  • Jacobs, Andrew. "Student Sex Case in Georgia Stirs Claims of Old South Justice." New York Times. January 22, 2004
  • Milloy, Courtland. "Marcus Dixon Doesn't Belong In Ga. Prison." Washington Post. January 25, 2004 (p. C1).
  • Wooten, Jim. "Home Life, Not Racism, the Problem." Atlanta Journal-Constitution. January 27, 2004 (p. A9).
  • Associated Press. "Floyd County Schools Ask Federal Court to Throw Out Lawsuit in School Statutory Rape Case." September 12, 2003.
  • Associated Press. "Georgia High Court Overturns Teen's Sentence for Having Sex with Minor." CNN.com May 3, 2004.
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