Marcus Dixon
{{short description|American gridiron football player and coach (born 1984)}}
{{for|the fictional character on the television series Alias|Marcus Dixon (Alias){{!}}Marcus Dixon (Alias)}}
{{use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Marcus Dixon
| image = Marcus dixon.jpg
| caption = Dixon in training camp in 2009
| current_team = Minnesota Vikings
| number =
| position = Defensive line coach
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1984|9|16|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Rome, Georgia, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lbs = 295
| high_school = Lindale (GA) Pepperell
| college = Hampton
| undraftedyear = 2008
| pastteams =
- Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|2008}}–{{NFL Year|2010}})*
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2010}}–{{NFL Year|2012}})
- Kansas City Chiefs ({{NFL Year|2013}})*
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2014}})*
- BC Lions ({{CFL Year|2014}})
| pastcoaching =
- Hampton (2017–2018)
Defensive line coach & director of player development - Hampton (2019–2020)
Defensive ends coach & recruiting coordinator - Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|2021}})
Assistant defensive line coach - Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2022}}–{{NFL Year|2023}})
Defensive line coach - Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|2024}}–present)
Defensive line coach
| highlights =
;As coach
;As player
- First-team All-MEAC (2007)
- Second-team All-MEAC (2006)
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 22
| statlabel2 = Total tackles
| statvalue2 = 21
| statlabel3 = Sacks
| statvalue3 = 2.5
| statlabel4 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue4 = 1
| pfr = D/DixoMa00
| cfl-archive = https://web.archive.org/web/20150506232408/http://www.cfl.ca/roster/show/id/7611
}}
Marcus Dwayne Dixon (born September 16, 1984) is an American football coach and a former player who is the defensive line coach for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played in the NFL as a defensive end.
Dixon played college football for the Hampton Pirates. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He also played for the New York Jets.
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.{{cite news |title=Teen's sentence a shock to jurors |url=http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/0603/02remorse.html |work=Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=2003-06-02 |accessdate=2007-08-21 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030803171554/http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/0603/02remorse.html |archive-date=2003-08-03}}{{cite news |first= Gary|last= Younge|title=Deep south divided by rape case |url=https://www.theguardian.com/usa/story/0,12271,1129280,00.html |quote=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. |work=The Guardian |date= January 23, 2004 |accessdate=August 21, 2007 | location=London}}
Early life
Dixon 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.{{cite web
|url=https://www.pilotonline.com/sports/dp-nw-hampton-university-marcus-dixon-20190922-qvimyj6pyzeibnc3plxiiq2hm4-story.html |title=With no bitterness, Marcus Dixon moves on living the good life |date=September 22, 2019 | accessdate=June 14, 2020}}
College career
Upon his release from prison, Dixon accepted a football scholarship from Division I-AA Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia.{{cite web| url=http://www.speakinoutnews.info/072507_Marcusdixon.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305014030/http://www.speakinoutnews.info/072507_Marcusdixon.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=March 5, 2008 | title=High School Football Star Marcus Dixon Receives Scholarship to Attend Hampton | date=July 25, 2007 | accessdate=February 19, 2020}}
Professional career
=Dallas Cowboys=
In 2010, Dixon saw limited playing time during preseason. He was released on September 4, 2010.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas-cowboys/post/_/id/4671712/cowboys-final-cuts-are-in |title=Cowboys' final cuts are in | publisher=ESPN | date=September 4, 2010 | accessdate=June 14, 2020}}
=New York Jets=
On September 5, 2010, Dixon was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets.{{cite web |title=Jets cut David Clowney, claim three off waivers |url=https://www.nj.com/jets/2010/09/jets_claim_receiver_patrick_tu.html |author=Vrentas, Jenny |publisher=The Star-Ledger |date=September 5, 2010 |accessdate=June 14, 2020}}
An exclusive rights free agent, Dixon was signed to a one-year contract on January 26, 2011.{{Citation |title=Jets deny Raiders permission to interview secondary coach Dennis Thurman |url=http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2011/01/jets_deny_oakland_permission_t.html |work=The Star-Ledger |author=Vrentas, Jenny |date=January 26, 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110129231112/http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2011/01/jets_deny_oakland_permission_t.html |archivedate=January 29, 2011 |accessdate=June 14, 2020 |url-status=dead }}
Dixon was released on September 1, 2012.{{cite web |title=Jets Announce Roster, Practice Squad Moves |url=http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-1/Jets-Announce-Roster-Practice-Squad-Moves/80bd696c-0d87-49a6-a9b9-0ddc3f5e7093 |publisher=New York Jets |author=Jets Media Relations Department |date=September 1, 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120903115821/http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-1/Jets-Announce-Roster-Practice-Squad-Moves/80bd696c-0d87-49a6-a9b9-0ddc3f5e7093 |archivedate=September 3, 2012 |accessdate=June 14, 2020 |url-status=dead }} He was re-signed to the active roster on September 4.{{cite web |title=Jets release punter T.J. Conley, add former Chargers P Robert Malone, re-sign DT Marcus Dixon |url=http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2012/09/jets_release_punter_tj_conley.html |work=The Star-Ledger |author=Orr, Conor |date=September 4, 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203195608/http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2012/09/jets_release_punter_tj_conley.html |archivedate=December 3, 2013 |accessdate=June 14, 2020 |url-status=dead}} He appeared in 3 games, before being released on September 24.{{cite web |title=Jets release DT Marcus Dixon |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/new-york/jets/post/_/id/15982/jets-release-dt-marcus-dixon |publisher=ESPN New York |author=Cimini, Rich |date=September 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928063529/http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/jets/post/_/id/15982/jets-release-dt-marcus-dixon |archive-date=September 28, 2012 |access-date=June 14, 2020 |url-status=live }}
=Kansas City Chiefs=
On February 9, 2013, Dixon was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs.{{cite web |title=Chiefs Sign Marcus Dixon |url=http://arrowheadaddict.com/2013/02/09/chiefs-sign-marcus-dixon/ |publisher=Arrowhead Addict |author=Allen, Patrick |date=February 9, 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130215063510/http://arrowheadaddict.com/2013/02/09/chiefs-sign-marcus-dixon/ |archivedate=February 15, 2013 |accessdate=June 14, 2020 |url-status=dead }} He was cut on August 31.{{cite web|last1=Teicher|first1=Adam|title=Kansas City Chiefs cut-down analysis| date=August 31, 2013 |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/82953/kansas-city-chiefs-cut-down-analysis-2|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=June 14, 2020}}
=Tennessee Titans=
On January 3, 2014, Dixon was signed to a futures contract with the Tennessee Titans.{{cite web|title=Titans Add Three Players to Roster|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-add-three-players-to-roster-12354605|publisher=Tennessee Titans|accessdate=June 14, 2020}} He was released during final cuts on August 29.{{cite web|last1=Kuharsky|first1=Paul|title=Tennessee Titans cut-down analysis| date=August 30, 2014 |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/tennessee-titans/post/_/id/8770|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=June 14, 2020}}
=BC Lions=
On October 20, 2014, Dixon was signed to the BC Lions practice roster in the Canadian Football League.{{cite web|url=https://www.cfl.ca/page/transactions |title=Transactions |publisher=cfl.ca |accessdate=June 14, 2020 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907042816/http://www.cfl.ca/page/transactions |archivedate=September 7, 2015 }} He made his CFL debut in the final game of the regular season against the Calgary Stampeders.{{cite web|url=http://www.bclions.com/roster/show/id/7611 |title=Marcus Dixon |publisher=bclions.com |accessdate=June 14, 2020 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429034617/http://www.bclions.com/roster/show/id/7611 |archivedate=April 29, 2015 }} He was re-signed on March 2, 2015. He retired on April 30, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.bclions.com/page/transactions_bc |title=BC Lions Transactions |publisher=bclions.com |accessdate=June 14, 2020 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823000357/http://www.bclions.com/page/transactions_bc |archivedate=August 23, 2015 }}
Coaching career
=Rams=
The Los Angeles Rams hired Dixon as their assistant defensive line coach on February 23, 2021.{{cite news |author=Jackson, Stu |title=Rams finalize 2021 coaching staff |url=https://www.therams.com/news/rams-finalize-2021-coaching-staff |website=TheRams.com |date=February 23, 2021 |access-date=February 24, 2021}} Dixon won his first Super Bowl championship when the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl LVI - Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals - February 13th, 2022 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202202130cin.htm |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
=Denver Broncos=
On February 18, 2022, Dixon was hired by the Denver Broncos to serve as the team's defensive line coach for the 2022 season.{{Cite web | url=https://gazette.com/sports/broncos/broncos-hire-ejiro-evero-as-defensive-coordinator-dwayne-stukes-as-special-teams-coordinator/article_b6c59db6-8e9e-11ec-aeea-e7fd56725061.html#:~:text=DENVER%20%E2%80%A2%20The%20Broncos%20have,secondary%20coach%2Fpassing%20game%20coordinator. | title=Broncos hire Ejiro Evero as defensive coordinator, Dwayne Stukes as special teams coordinator | date=February 17, 2022}}
Personal life
=''Dixon v. State''=
Kristie Brown alleged that on February 10, 2003, Dixon forced her to have sex, taking her virginity.{{cite web | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/marcus-dixon-overcomes-molestation-conviction-high-school-racism-long-journey-nfl-ny-jets-article-1.982917 |title=Marcus Dixon overcomes molestation conviction in high school and racism on long journey to NFL and NY Jets |website=New York Daily News |date=November 26, 2011 | accessdate=June 14, 2020}} 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, ten years imprisonment.[http://www.snopes.com/politics/crime/dixon.asp Marcus Dixon]. snopes.com. Retrieved on October 14, 2013. If he had been found guilty of rape, he would have faced a much less severe punishment.[http://www.pww.org/article/view/4730/1/201/ People's Weekly World – Act now to free Marcus Dixon] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425010008/http://www.pww.org/article/view/4730/1/201/ |date=April 25, 2009 }}
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".{{cite web | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/marcus-dixon-overcomes-molestation-conviction-high-school-racism-long-journey-nfl-ny-jets-article-1.982917|title=Marcus Dixon overcomes molestation conviction in high school and racism on long journey to NFL and NY Jets | publisher=NY Daily News | date=November 22, 2011 | accessdate=June 14, 2020}}
=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.{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/7269043/new-york-jets-marcus-dixon-found-jail-high-school-now-making-most-nfl-chance|title=Dixon making most of second chance | publisher=ESPN | date=November 22, 2011 | accessdate=June 14, 2020}}
See also
- {{annotated link|Wilson v. State|Wilson v. State}}
References
{{reflist}}
Further reading
- {{cite news |last1=Arey |first1=Norman |title=Ex-Star Athlete Guilty in Sex Case |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=2003-05-16 |page=C4}}
- {{cite news |publisher=Associated Press |title=Floyd County Schools Ask Federal Court to Throw Out Lawsuit in School Statutory Rape Case |date=2003-09-12}}
- {{cite news |last1=Arey |first1=Norman |title=Teenager's Appeal to High Court to Attack Sentencing Guidelines |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=2004-01-20 |page=B1}}
- {{cite news |last1=Edelman |first=Marian Wright |title=Old South Lingers in a Legal Lynching |work=Los Angeles Times |date=2004-01-22 |page=B17}}
- {{cite news |last1=Jacobs |first1=Andrew |title=Student Sex Case in Georgia Stirs Claims of Old South Justice |work=The New York Times |date=2004-01-22}}
- {{cite news |last1=Milloy |first1=Courtland |title=Marcus Dixon Doesn't Belong In Ga. Prison |work=The Washington Post |date=2004-01-25 |page=C1}}
- {{cite news |last1=Wooten |first1=Jim |title=Home Life, Not Racism, the Problem |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=2004-01-27 |page=A9}}
- {{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Georgia High Court Overturns Teen's Sentence for Having Sex with Minor |publisher=CNN |date=2004-05-03}}
- {{cite news |last1=Gregory |first1=Lauren |title=Accuser Gets Settlement from System |work=Rome News-Tribune |date=2005-06-11}}
- {{cite news |last1=Gregory |first1=Lauren |title=Marcus Dixon Movie Possible |work=Rome News-Tribune |date=2005-06-11}}
- {{cite news |last1=Dadigan |first1=Marc |title=Dixon Suit Settled for $130,000 |work=Rome News-Tribune |date=2005-06-14}}
External links
- [https://hamptonpirates.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/marcus-dixon/988 Hampton Pirates bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615011033/https://hamptonpirates.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/marcus-dixon/988 |date=June 15, 2020 }}
- [https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft08/news/story?id=3363857 Draft prospect determined to address doubts about his character]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20130613123851/http://marcusdixon92.com/ Official Website]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20150403045111/http://www.bclions.com/roster/show/id/7611 BC Lions bio]
{{NFL defensive line coaches}}
{{Super Bowl LVI}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dixon, Marcus}}
Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen
Category:American football defensive ends
Category:Canadian football defensive linemen
Category:coaches of American football from Georgia (U.S. state)
Category:Dallas Cowboys players
Category:Denver Broncos coaches
Category:Hampton Pirates football coaches
Category:Hampton Pirates football players
Category:high school football coaches in Georgia (U.S. state)
Category:Kansas City Chiefs players
Category:Los Angeles Rams coaches
Category:New York Jets players
Category:overturned convictions in the United States
Category:players of American football from Rome, Georgia
Category:players of Canadian football from Georgia (U.S. state)