Marcus Dixon

Marcus Dwayne Dixon (born September 16, 1984) is an American football defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He 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 being prosecuted in a high-profile court case when, as a high school student, he was convicted in May 2003 for the "aggravated molestation" of Kristie Brown, an underage girl. These charges were later overturned and dropped to statutory rape.

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.

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.

New York Jets
On September 5, 2010, Dixon 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. Dixon 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.

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