Marcus Dixon

Not to be confused with Marcus Dixon (Alias).

Marcus Dixon

No. 94     New York Jets
Defensive end
Personal information
Date of birth: September 16, 1984 (1984-09-16) (age 27)
Place of birth: Rome, Georgia
Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	Weight: 295 lb (134 kg)
Career information
College: Hampton
Undrafted in 2008
Debuted in 2010 for the New York Jets
Career history
Dallas Cowboys (2008–2010) New York Jets (2010–present)
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
Second-team All-MEAC (2006)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 1, 2011
Tackles	6
Sacks	0.0
Forced fumbles	0
Stats at NFL.com

Marcus Dwayne Dixon (born September 16, 1984) is an American football defensive end who is currently playing for the New York Jets. He was signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Hampton.

Dixon is also known for being prosecuted in a high-profile court case when, as a high school student, he was convicted in May 2003 for the rape of Kristie Brown, an underage girl. These charges were later overturned and dropped to statutory rape.^[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, but due to his court case and conviction he was unable to take on this opportunity.

College career

Upon his release from prison Dixon enrolled at Hampton University in Virginia with a football scholarship.^[3]

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

On April 27, 2008, Marcus signed a three-year, $1.1 million deal with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent. The team released Dixon on September 4, 2010.^[4]

New York Jets

On September 5, 2010, Dixon was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets.^[5] An exclusive rights free agent, Dixon was signed to a one-year contract on January 26, 2011.^[6]

Personal

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 16 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.^{[7][non-primary source needed]} Ironically, if he had been found guilty of rape, he would have faced a much less severe punishment.^{[8][citation needed][dead link]}

Supporters of Dixon alleged the charges were racially motivated.^[who?] The President of the Children's Defense Fund, Marian Wright Edelman called it a "Legal Lynching".^{[citation needed]}

Overturned conviction and release

Georgia Supreme Court overturned Dixon's conviction and he was released May 3, 2004. They let his conviction of misdemeanor statutory rape stand.^[9] After Dixon's release both he and Brown appeared on Oprah in an attempt to clarify their stories.^[7]

See also

• Wilson v. State of Georgia

References

1. ^ "Teen's sentence a shock to jurors". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. June 2, 2003. "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. http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1129280,00.html. Retrieved 2007-08-21. "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
4. ^ http://www.truebluefanclub.com/blogs/nick_eatman.cfm?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&userid=1990bfd1-c6a9-4728-af3f-a229e85b981c&plckPostId=Blog:1990bfd1-c6a9-4728-af3f-a229e85b981cPost:9135ddcc-fc19-4ebf-8c23-6830e2b6d9a3&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest
5. ^ Vrentas, Jenny (September 5, 2010). "Jets cut David Clowney, claim three off waivers". The Star-Ledger. http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2010/09/jets_claim_receiver_patrick_tu.html. Retrieved September 8, 2010. 
6. ^ Vrentas, Jenny (January 26, 2011), "Jets deny Raiders permission to interview secondary coach Dennis Thurman", The Star-Ledger, archived from the original on January 26, 2011, http://www.webcitation.org/5w2EtpUn5, retrieved January 26, 2011 
7. ^ ^{a b} In Prison for Having Teenage Sex
8. ^ People's Weekly World - Act now to free Marcus Dixon
9. ^ http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=46395

Further reading

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

External links

• Official Website
• Dallas Cowboys bio
• Hampton Pirates bio