Marcus Dixon Signs 3-Year Rookie FA Deal W/ ‘Boys
by darrell.holmes
Many people may remember the case of Marcus Dixon from several years back. If not, here goes…
In 2003, Marcus Dixon was an 18-year-old HS senior who had consensual sex with a 15 year old schoolmate. After conflicting testimonies between the alleged victim and Marcus Dixon, Dixon was found not guilty of rape, battery, assault, and false imprisonment. However, he was found guilty of aggravated child molestation and statutory rape. Due to a loopy law in the state of Georgia at the time, Marcus Dixon received a mandatory 10-year prison sentence even though he had no criminal history. Dixon was also a 3.96GPA football star with a scholarship offer to Vanderbilt University at the time of his arrest. After Dixon’s sentence was announced, public uproar commenced from groups like the Children’s Defense Fund to the jurors in his case. Some of them complained that they weren’t aware of the mandatory statutory sentence nor did they expect the judge would enforce such a sentence in this case.
Rap artist MURS and producer Danger Mouse(half of the group Gnarls Barkley) even recorded a track in honor of Dixon and his case. After roughly one year in prison, Dixon’s case was overturned in Georgia’s Supreme Court and I would like to think that reactions from the media, the public, Murs, and Danger Mouse along with blogs like this one all contributed to Marcus being set free short of his full term. With his Vanderbilt schollie being rescinded Marcus was able to attend Hampton University on another football scholarship.
On April 27th Marcus signed a rookie free-agent contract for 3 years with the Dallas Cowboys worth $1.1M dollars. The Cowboys have been in the spotlight along with a handful of other teams over the past few years for signing players with alleged discipline concerns. The Cowboys pride themselves on being separate from the pack for their Player Development Program. Former player Calvin Hill heads up that program and has been spotlighted for his work and dedication to helping all incoming rookies and free agents acclimate to playing in the NFL. Here’s to wishing Marcus the best as he pursues his dream.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Great post. Marcus could have easily fallen victim to the “why me” syndrome. It just goes to show how easily it is to get caught up in the moment. One bad decision can ruin your whole life.
Good to see things turn around for him.
May 9th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Nice of you to post this but I hardly think it should be mentioned that the cowboys have been in the spotlight when giving discipline problems an opportunity. Pac Man Jones = bad guy Marcus Dixon = Bad system.
Eric
May 10th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
To the poster above..how can you call Marcus a bad guy b/c the girl lied and cried rape when she knew that wasn’t the case. Yes they BOTH made the mistake for having pre-marital sex but everyone makes mistakes and it happens all the time in middle and high schools across the country. She’s the one with the character issues, Marcus has grown/matured and has overcome a lot of obstacles in life, he’s moved past it all and so should everyone else.
May 13th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Bethany, from what I read of Eric V’s post I think he meant to point out Pac Man Jones as the bad guy and Marcus being a victim of a bad system. Thankfully now he has an opportunity to prove he was a victim of an injust infrastructure.
July 30th, 2008 at 2:57 am
I know Marcus Personally from being a teammate @ HU and an acquaintance. I am very happy for all of his recent success.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Ian, thanks for sharing and visiting the blog.
October 14th, 2008 at 8:18 am
just like to say that its nice to see that someome from the streets of ROME, GA doing his thing keep it up!!!
December 21st, 2008 at 12:48 pm
I hope your sisters and daughters meet someone just as great as Marcus.
December 21st, 2008 at 2:31 pm
I AM SO HAPPY FOR MARCUS DIXON , I WISH HIM THE BEST!
December 22nd, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Tom! To only be so lucky!
January 15th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
nice……………………….