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Marcus Dixon

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

Marcus Dixon
refer to caption
Dixon in training camp in 2009.
No. 94, 95
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1984-09-16) September 16, 1984 (age 40)
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
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • Second-team All-MEAC (2006)
  • First-team All-MEAC (2007)
Career NFL statistics
Tackles:21
Sacks:2.5
Forced fumbles:1
Player stats at PFR · CFL.ca

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

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 was a grade A student at Pepperell High School 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.

College career

Upon his release from prison Dixon enrolled at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia with a football scholarship.[3] At Hampton, Dixon played at defensive end and defensive tackle, and was on the all Mid-Eastern Athletic (MEAC) conference team during his junior and senior seasons.

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 waived on September 4, 2010.

New York Jets

On September 5, 2010, he was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets.[4] An exclusive rights free agent, Dixon was signed to a one-year contract on January 26, 2011.[5] He was released on September 1, 2012.[6] He was re-signed to the active roster on September 4.[7] Dixon was released by the team on September 24, 2012.[8]

Kansas City Chiefs

Dixon was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs on February 9, 2013.[9] He was cut on August 31.

Tennessee Titans

Dixon was signed to a futures contract with the Tennessee Titans on January 3, 2014.[10] He was released during final cuts on August 29.[11]

BC Lions

Dixon was signed to the BC Lions practice roster on October 20, 2014.[12] He made his CFL debut in the final game of the regular season against the Calgary Stampeders.[13] He retired in April 2015.[14]

Personal life

Dixon v. State case

Kristie Brown alleged that on February 10, 2003 Dixon forced her to have sex, taking her virginity.[15] 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.[16] If he had been found guilty of rape, he would have faced a much less severe punishment.[16][17]

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".[16][18]

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.[19] After Dixon's release both he and Brown appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show in an attempt to clarify their stories.[20]

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". London: The Guardian. 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. ^ High School Football Star Marcus Dixon Receives Scholarship to Attend Hampton. speakinoutnews.info (July 25, 2007)
  4. ^ Vrentas, Jenny (September 5, 2010). "Jets cut David Clowney, claim three off waivers". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved September 8, 2010.
  5. ^ 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 January 26, 2011 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ 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 September 1, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ 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 September 4, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ Cimini, Rich (September 24, 2012). "Jets release DT Marcus Dixon". ESPN New York. Archived from the original on September 28, 2012. Retrieved September 24, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ Allen, Patrick (February 9, 2013). "Chiefs Sign Marcus Dixon". Arrowhead Addict. Archived from the original on February 15, 2013. Retrieved February 10, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ Gitlin, Marty. "Two Titans signed to reserve/futures contracts". CBSSports.com. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  11. ^ Alper, Josh. "Titans release Marc Mariani on way to 53 players". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  12. ^ "Transactions". cfl.ca. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved November 1, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ "Marcus Dixon". bclions.com. Archived from the original on April 29, 2015. Retrieved August 22, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ "BC Lions Transactions". bclions.com. Archived from the original on August 23, 2015. Retrieved August 22, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/marcus-dixon-overcomes-molestation-conviction-high-school-racism-long-journey-nfl-ny-jets-article-1.982917
  16. ^ a b c Marcus Dixon. snopes.com. Retrieved on October 14, 2013.
  17. ^ People's Weekly World – Act now to free Marcus Dixon Archived April 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  18. ^ [1]
  19. ^ [2][dead link]
  20. ^ New York Jets – Marcus Dixon found himself in jail in high school. Now, he's making the most of his NFL chance. – ESPN New York. Espn.go.com (November 22, 2011). Retrieved on October 14, 2013.

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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