Marcus Dixon

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.

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.

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. State 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 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. 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 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.