Antonio Dixon (American football)

Last updated

Antonio Dixon
Antonio Dixon.JPG
Dixon (No. 90), while with the Eagles, trying to tackle Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson, while evading a block from Leroy Harris, in October 2010.
No. 64, 90, 97
Position: Nose tackle
Personal information
Born: (1985-07-17) July 17, 1985 (age 39)
Miami, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:325 lb (147 kg)
Career information
High school: Booker T. Washington
(Miami, Florida)
College: Miami (FL)
Undrafted: 2009
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:56
Sacks:3.0
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Antonio Dixon (born July 17, 1985) is a former American football nose tackle who played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Washington Redskins in 2009. He played college football at the University of Miami.

Contents

Early life

Dixon grew up in at least six homeless shelters in Miami and Atlanta. He stuttered, had dyslexia, and could not read until the sixth grade. His mother, Corenthia Dixon, was a single parent raising five children, including Dixon. His father, Frazier Hawkins, served 17 years in prison for drug trafficking charges. He was released in April 2009 and now works as a personal trainer in a health club. Corenthia Dixon used drugs for two years, which led to Dixon and his siblings to live in foster care for a year. When Dixon was in the eighth grade, his family moved into an apartment. [1] He got into fights as a child, got suspended, and eventually expelled from school while in eighth grade. [2] Corenthia is now a cafeteria worker at a homeless shelter in Miami. [3]

Dixon attended Booker T. Washington High School in Miami, Florida. He started playing football in the ninth grade, and he played as an offensive and defensive lineman. He graded out at better than 90 percent in his blocking assignments as a senior. On defense, Dixon had 62 tackles and 10.5 sacks in his senior year, with 8.0 sacks during his junior year. He was ranked the 19th player in Florida by Rivals.com and was the 7th prep school prospect. By the time he finished high school, he weighed over 350 pounds. [3]

In his only year at Milford Academy in 2004, Dixon finished with 77 tackles, including 21 tackles for loss, which was a team-high. He also had 11.5 sacks, which was tied for first on the team, as Milford finished 11-1 that season. He had to take a Greyhound bus back and forth from New York to Miami because he could not afford plane tickets. [4]

College career

Dixon chose to sign with the University of Miami to play college football over Florida, Florida State, Rutgers and South Florida. [5] As a true freshman in 2005, he played in eight games and had seven tackles in key goal-line and short-yardage situations. In his sophomore season in 2006, he played in 10 games (one start) and made 12 tackles, including two tackles for loss and a sack. As a junior in 2007, Dixon played in nine games with four starts and made 21 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a pass deflection. In his senior year in 2008, he played in 13 games with five starts and made 31 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery.

In August 2008, Dixon was hospitalized due to the effects of heat in Miami. [6]

In his career at the University of Miami, Dixon made 71 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, a fumble recovery and a pass deflection. He also played in 40 games, ten of which he started.

During spring of 2009, Dixon received the Wilma Rudolph Student Athlete Achievement Award along with five other college athletes. The award is given to college athletes who have overcome great personal, academic and emotional odds to achieve academic success.

Dixon graduated with a degree in liberal arts in May 2009, and became the first person in his family to graduate college. [1]

Professional career

Washington Redskins

After being undrafted in the 2009 NFL draft, Dixon was signed by the Washington Redskins. He was waived on September 5, 2009.

Philadelphia Eagles (first stint)

Dixon was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles on September 6, 2009. Against the Chicago Bears on November 22, 2009, Dixon blocked a crucial field goal by Bears kicker Robbie Gould, which led to a 24-20 victory for the Eagles. After tearing his triceps in a week four game against the San Francisco 49ers on October 2, 2011, Dixon was placed on season-ending injured reserve. He was re-signed to a one-year restricted free agent tender on March 14, 2012. He was waived by Philadelphia on August 31, 2012 during final roster cuts. [7]

Indianapolis Colts

Dixon was signed when cornerback Justin King was waived to bolster depleted defensive line.

Philadelphia Eagles (second stint)

Dixon was re-signed to a two-year deal by the Eagles on December 26, 2012. [8] He was released on August 30, 2013.

West Texas Wildcatters

In 2014, Dixon signed with the West Texas Wildcatters of the Lone Star Football League (LSFL).

New Orleans VooDoo

On October 29, 2014, Dixon was assigned to the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League (AFL). He was placed on reassignment on February 20, 2015.

Personal life

Dixon has an older half-brother, Darrell, a younger brother, Jarvis, and a younger sister, Mikesha. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Dawkins</span> American football player (born 1973)

Brian Patrick Dawkins Sr., nicknamed "Weapon X", is an American former professional football player who was a safety for 16 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and was selected by the Eagles in the second round of the 1996 NFL draft. In his last three seasons, he played for the Denver Broncos.

Jamaal Hakeem Green is an American former professional football defensive end who played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Green played college football at the University of Miami. He was selected by the Eagles in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert McCune</span> American football player (born 1979)

Robert McCune is a former American football linebacker. He was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL draft. He played college football at Louisville. McCune wqs also a member of the Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Calgary Stampeders, and Toronto Argonauts. He is currently (2023) serving a 5-year prison sentence for health care fraud.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rocky McIntosh</span> American football player (born 1982)

Roger A. "Rocky" McIntosh Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes and was selected in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lorenzo Alexander</span> American football player (born 1983)

Lorenzo John Alexander is an American former professional football player who was an outside linebacker for 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Washington Redskins. He played college football for the California Golden Bears, and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Carolina Panthers in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cary Williams</span> American football player (born 1984)

Cary Eric Williams is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washburn Ichabods and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL draft.

James Curtis Gatewood is a former American football linebacker. He most recently played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Vanderbilt.

Michael Marquardt is a former American football defensive tackle. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Arizona State.

Everette D. Brown is an American football coach and former linebacker who is currently the assistant linebackers coach for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida State and was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in second round of the 2009 NFL draft. Brown also played for the San Diego Chargers, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and Washington Redskins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marlon Favorite</span> American football player (born 1986)

Marlon Dominique Favorite is a former American football defensive tackle. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Louisiana State University (LSU).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricky Sapp</span> American football player (born 1986)

Ricky Sapp is a former American football linebacker. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL draft. He played college football at Clemson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nate Allen (safety)</span> American football player (born 1987)

Nathaniel Ray Allen is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Florida Bulls and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft. He also played for the Oakland Raiders and the Miami Dolphins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clifton Geathers</span> American football player (born 1987)

Clifton Geathers is an American former professional football defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Redskins. He was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL draft. He played college football at the University of South Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Kerrigan</span> American football player and coach (born 1988)

Patrick Ryan Kerrigan is an American professional football coach and former player who is the assistant linebackers and pass rush specialist coach for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers, earning unanimous All-American honors as a senior before being selected by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zach Brown</span> American football player (born 1989)

Zachary Vinzale Brown is an American former professional football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft. He has also played for the Buffalo Bills, where he made the Pro Bowl, Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles, and Arizona Cardinals.

Earl Wolff IV is a former American football safety. He played college football at North Carolina State. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL draft.

Marcus Smith II is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft, and played college football for the Louisville Cardinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derek Barnett</span> American football player (born 1996)

Derek Anthony Barnett is an American professional football defensive end for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers, and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 14th overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft.

Jeremiah McKinnon is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League for the Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles. He also was a member of the New York Guardians in the XFL. He played college football at Florida International University.

Shaquille "Shaq" Quarterman is an American professional football linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Miami (FL).

References

  1. 1 2 Keim, John (June 9, 2009). "From homeless shelter to Redskins camp". Archived from the original on January 29, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  2. Newell, Patrick (June 25, 2010). "Milford grad, Dixon, overcomes adversity to reach NFL". The Evening Sun. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 Hayes, Marcus (December 9, 2009). "Eagles defensive tackle Dixon succeeding beyond his wildest dreams". Philly.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2010.
  4. Reynolds, Tim (November 22, 2007). "Miami's Antonio Dixon overcoming life filled with toil, torment". USA Today . Retrieved February 11, 2010.
  5. "Antonio Dixon - Official". Scout.com. February 8, 2005. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
  6. "Dixon hospitalized after apparently suffering effects of heat". Espn.com. August 7, 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2010.
  7. "Eagles waive DT Antonio Dixon" . Retrieved September 2, 2012.[ permanent dead link ]
  8. "Eagles place Foles on IR, Sign DT Dixon". Yahoo! Sports . Associated Press. December 26, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2012.