Domenik Hixon

Domenik Hixon (born October 8, 1984) is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Akron.

Early years
Hixon was born to an African American father and a German mother. He attended Whitehall-Yearling High School outside Columbus, Ohio and was a letterman in football, basketball, track, and baseball. In basketball, he was named Honorable Mention All-State as a point guard.

Former high school teammate of NFL defensive back Keiwan Ratliff.

College career
Hixon was one of Charlie Frye's passing weapons during his first 3 years at Akron. In the 2005 MAC Championship game he caught Luke Getsy's game winning Hail Mary pass, earning Akron its first MAC Championship in school history.

Denver Broncos
Hixon played 4 games for the Denver Broncos to start the 2007 season then was released in early October. While on the Broncos, he was involved in the play that almost paralyzed Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett, after Everett attempted to tackle Hixon.

New York Giants
The New York Giants quickly signed Hixon and soon he took over the main kickoff returning duties. Domenik had one reception for 5 yards against the Minnesota Vikings on November 25. He made his mark by returning a kickoff 74 yards for a touchdown in the Giants' 2007 regular season finale against the undefeated New England Patriots. Hixon's touchdown put the Giants ahead 14-10 in the 2nd quarter, but the Giants lost 38-35.

As the main kickoff returner, Hixon returned 10 kickoffs for an average of 25.3 yards during the Giants run to Super Bowl XLII. His returns provided the Giants with good field position and helped propel their offense into the end zone on several occasions. He recovered a critical fumble late in the 4th quarter of the NFC Championship game on January 20 at frigid Lambeau Field, a game the Giants eventually won in overtime. Hixon also recorded 2 special teams tackles in the 2007 playoffs.

Hixon later broke out in the Giants second preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, catching two touchdown passes and then returned a 82 yard kickoff for a touchdown, all in the first quarter.

In week 5 of the 2008 Season, Hixon was forced to start after Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress was suspended for breaking team rules.

Hixon would have 4 catches for 102 yards and a touchdown in his first career start. He left the game late in the first half after suffering a concussion.

In Week 14, Hixon would again be placed in the starting role for the rest of the season, due to the suspension of Burress for conduct detrimental to the team after suffering an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound to his leg.

On June 16, 2010, Hixon suffered a torn ACL at a practice at the Giants' new home in the New Meadowlands, and was pronounced out for the season. He was waived/injured and subsequently placed on the injured reserve list on July 17.

On August 13, 2011, Hixon returned to the team in the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers preseason game.

On week 2 of the 2011 Season, Hixon tore his ACL while making a spectacular bobbling catch in the endzone. He was declared out for the season.

In his career he's made 31 special teams tackles, caught 63 passes for 838 yards (13.3 avg) and 4 touchdowns, ran 3 times on reverse plays for 18 yards, returned 51 punts for 561 yards and a touchdown and 80 kickoffs for 1,966 yards and a touchdown.

On March 3, 2012 Hixon re-signed with the New York Giants. He is the preseason favorite to win the third receiver spot that was vacated when Mario Manningham left for San Francisco.