Tony Dixon (American football)

Games played:	56
Tackles:	126
Interceptions:	1
Sacks:	6.0

Tony Dixon
No. 24
Position:	Safety
Personal information
Born:	June 18, 1979 (age 44); Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:	Reform (AL) Pickens Co.
College:	Alabama
NFL Draft:	2001 / Round: 2 / Pick: 56
Career history
	Dallas Cowboys (2001–2004); Washington Redskins (2005)*; Dallas Cowboys (2005);
	* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Games played:
Games played:	56
Tackles:	126
Interceptions:	1
Sacks:	6.0
	Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Last updated December 03, 2023

Tony Dixon (born June 18, 1979) is a former American football safety in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Alabama.

Early years

Dixon attended Pickens County High School, where he was a two-way football player (running back and defensive back). He was a four-year starter and earned All-State honors two years in a row.

As a junior he registered 1,286 rushing yards, 17 touchdowns, 115 tackles and 6 interceptions (3 returned for touchdowns). As a senior, he posted 1,450 rushing yards, 18 rushing touchdowns, 2 touchdown passes, one receiving touchdown, 6 sacks, 4 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries.

College career

Dixon accepted a football scholarship from the University of Alabama. As a true freshman, he collected 22 tackles (2 for loss) and one sack, earning his first career start at free safety against the University of Tennessee. He had 6 tackles against Auburn University.

As a sophomore, he became a regular starter at strong safety, tallying 75 tackles (third on the team), 2 tackles for loss, one interception and one pass defensed. He had 11 tackles against Louisiana State University. He made 14 tackles against Mississippi State University.

As a junior, he split time between strong and free safety. He posted 65 tackles (second on the team), 2 tackles for loss, 4 passes defensed and one forced fumble. He had 13 tackles against the University of Florida.

As a senior, he started at free safety, finishing with 90 tackles (third on the team), one sack, 2 interceptions, 6 passes defensed and one forced fumble. He had 10 tackles, one interception and one pass defensed against the University of Mississippi. He made 17 tackles against the University of Tennessee. He made 11 tackles against Auburn University.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys (first stint)

The Dallas Cowboys traded down in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft,^[1] sending to the Miami Dolphins the 52nd overall selection (Chris Chambers), in exchange for the 56th (used to select Dixon) and the 122nd (Markus Steele).^[2] As a rookie, he played on the nickel defense.

In his second season, he started the last six games at strong safety, after Darren Woodson suffered a season-ending groin injury, making 49 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 quarterback pressures, 2 passes defensed, one interception and 16 special teams (third on the team).

In 2003, he was a special teams standout, leading the team with 20 tackles.^[3]

In 2004, after Woodson missed the season due to a herniated disc, he split time with Lynn Scott at strong safety, registering seven starts and finding a niche as a blitzer, tying for fifth in the NFL among defensive backs with 3 sacks. He wasn't re-signed after the season and finished his Cowboys career with 90 tackles (56 solo), 6 sacks, 10 passes defensed, 49 special teams tackles and one interception.

Washington Redskins

On June 18, 2005, signed a one-year contract as a free agent with the Washington Redskins.^[4] He was released before the start of the season on August 23.^[5]

Dallas Cowboys (second stint)

On November 1, 2005, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys to help improve the secondary depth.^[6] On November 9, he was cut to make room for linebacker Quinton Caver. He was brought back for depth purposes on December 26. He wasn't re-signed at the end of the season.^[7]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Bold	Career high

Regular season

Year	Team	Games		Tackles					Interceptions					Fumbles
Year	Team	GP	GS	Cmb	Solo	Ast	Sck	TFL	Int	Yds	TD	Lng	PD	FF	FR	Yds	TD
2001	DAL	8	0	11	9	2	1.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2002	DAL	16	8	50	40	10	2.0	1	1	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0
2003	DAL	16	0	14	12	2	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0
2004	DAL	16	7	51	46	5	3.0	3	0	0	0	0	4	2	0	0	0
		56	15	126	107	19	6.0	5	1	0	0	0	8	2	0	0	0

Playoffs

Year	Team	Games		Tackles					Interceptions					Fumbles
Year	Team	GP	GS	Cmb	Solo	Ast	Sck	TFL	Int	Yds	TD	Lng	PD	FF	FR	Yds	TD
2003	DAL	1	0	2	2	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
		1	0	2	2	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

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References

↑ "Tide's pipeline to pros continues" . Retrieved February 19, 2020.
↑ "2001 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
↑ "Dixon getting his shot with Woodson injured" . Retrieved February 19, 2020.
↑ "Dixon likely signed as insurance policy". June 18, 2005. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
↑ "Transactions". The New York Times. August 24, 2005. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
↑ "Cowboys release A-Train, put Singleton on I.R." November 2, 2005. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
↑ "Cowboys release Cundiff, re-sign Suisham for finale". December 26, 2005. Retrieved February 19, 2020.

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[1] "Tide's pipeline to pros continues" . Retrieved February 19, 2020.

[2] "2001 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 18, 2023.

[3] "Dixon getting his shot with Woodson injured" . Retrieved February 19, 2020.

[4] "Dixon likely signed as insurance policy". June 18, 2005. Retrieved February 19, 2020.

[5] "Transactions". The New York Times. August 24, 2005. Retrieved February 19, 2020.

[6] "Cowboys release A-Train, put Singleton on I.R." November 2, 2005. Retrieved February 19, 2020.

[7] "Cowboys release Cundiff, re-sign Suisham for finale". December 26, 2005. Retrieved February 19, 2020.

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