Position: Defensive end Undrafted: 2008 Weight 134 kg 40 yard dash time 5.2 seconds | Height 1.93 m Name Marcus Dixon | |
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Date of birth: (1984-09-16) September 16, 1984 (age 31) Similar People Woody Johnson, Andy Reid, Todd Bowles, Rex Ryan Profiles | ||
High school: Lindale (GA) Pepperell | ||
Marcus Dixon: Football Defensive End
Marcus Dwayne Dixon (born September 16, 1984) is a former American football defensive end. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Hampton University.
Contents
- Marcus Dixon Football Defensive End
- Early years
- College career
- Dallas Cowboys
- New York Jets
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Tennessee Titans
- BC Lions
- Dixon v Brown case
- Overturned conviction and release
- References
Dixon is also known for being wrongfully convicted in May 2003 of molesting an underage girl while he was in high school. That charge was overturned by the Georgia Supreme Court, while his conviction for statutory rape was sustained.
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, but he was accused of molesting an underage student, was tried and convicted and therefore was unable to attend Vanderbilt.
College career
Upon his release from prison Dixon enrolled at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia with a football scholarship. 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.
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. An exclusive rights free agent, Dixon was signed to a one-year contract on January 26, 2011. He was released on September 1, 2012. He was re-signed to the active roster on September 4. Dixon was released by the team on September 24, 2012.
Kansas City Chiefs
Dixon was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs on February 9, 2013. He was cut on August 31.
Tennessee Titans
Dixon was signed to a futures contract with the Tennessee Titans on January 3, 2014. He was released during final cuts on August 29.
BC Lions
Dixon was signed to the BC Lions practice roster on October 20, 2014. He made his CFL debut in the final game of the regular season against the Calgary Stampeders. He retired in April 2015.
Dixon v. Brown case
Kristie Brown alleged that on February 10, 2003 Dixon forced her to have sex, taking her virginity. 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 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. If he had been found guilty of rape, he would have faced a much less severe punishment.
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".
Overturned conviction and release
The Georgia Supreme Court overturned Dixon's conviction and he was released 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.