Chris Dixon (American football)

Chris Dixon II (born November 15, 1981) is a former professional indoor football player. He is also a former head coach. He ended his long playing career with a stint as quarterback for the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League (AFL) before returning to the Sioux Falls Storm (IFL) near the end of their 2019 season. Dixon attended Contra Costa College for two years before attending Humboldt State University, where he was an All-conference player.

Chris Dixon
No. 5, 2, 3, 6
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (1981-11-15) November 15, 1981
Oakland, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:Richmond (CA)
College:Humboldt State
Undrafted:2003
Career history
As a player:
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
  • NAFL champion (2004)
  • NAFL Championship Game MVP (2004)
  • NWFL Rookie of the Year (2004)
  • NIFL champion (2006)
  • UIF MVP (2008)
  • 5× United Bowl champion (2009–2012, 2014)
  • 3× United Bowl MVP (2010, 2011, 2014)
  • 3× IFL MVP (2009, 2011, 2012)
  • 4× First Team All-IFL (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
  • Second Team All-IFL (2014)
  • IFL Offensive Player of the Year (2014)
  • IFL Hall of Fame (2016)
  • CIF champion (2017)
Career Arena statistics
Comp-Att:111–182
Passing Yards:1,517
TD-INT:30–8
Rushing Yards:230
Rushing TDs:10
Player stats at ArenaFan.com

After failing to be drafted, Dixon played semi-professional outdoor football before becoming an indoor football player. In 2005, he made his professional debut with the Black Hills Red Dogs, playing both quarterback and wide receiver. Upon his release, Dixon signed with the Billings Mavericks, where he would play for 5 seasons, winning 3 championships and throwing 369 touchdowns. Upon the folding of the Billings franchise, Dixon signed with the Sioux Falls Storm, where he won two championships in as many seasons. In 2012, Dixon signed with the Orlando Predators, it was the first time in Dixon's career that he played arena football instead of indoor football.

Dixon is considered the greatest indoor football quarterback of all time, winning six championships, as well as the first indoor football player to throw for 500 career touchdowns.[1] He was inducted into the Indoor Football League Hall of Fame in 2015.

College career

Dixon attended Contra Costa College for two years before attending Humboldt State University for his final two years of school.[2]

Professional career

Oakland Vipers

Dixon played for the Oakland Vipers of the Golden State Amateur Football League for a single season, and he held the record for the most passing yards in a single game (471) as of 2005.[3]

Eastside Hawks

Dixon began playing indoor football when he signed with the Eastside Hawks, who at the time were playing semi-professional in the North American Football League.[3] He led the Hawks to a National Championship,[4] while winning Championship Game MVP and league rookie of the year honors.[3]

Black Hills Red Dogs

In 2005, Dixon signed with the Black Hills Red Dogs of United Indoor Football. While with the Red Dogs, Dixon played both quarterback and receiver for the Red Dogs, completing 59 of 114 passes for 493 yards with 5 touchdowns, while also having 12 receptions for 202 yards and 3 touchdowns.[5] Dixon was traded to Billings.[5]

Billings Mavericks/Outlaws

Dixon quickly signed with the Billings Mavericks of the National Indoor Football League, where he would split time with Bob Bees at quarterback during the remainder of the 2005 season.[2] Dixon led the Outlaws to three championships (2006, 2009 & 2010) throughout his five seasons with the team.[6]

Sioux Falls Storm

In 2012, Dixon threw his 500th career touchdown pass, when he hit James Terry with a 42-yard pass during a May 19 game against the Green Bay Blizzard.[6] With his 500th touchdown, Dixon became the 10th player to throw for a 500th touchdown at any professional level.

Orlando Predators

Dixon has signed with the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League for the 2013 season.[7] Dixon was named the backup quarterback to Kyle Rowley to start the season. In the Predators first game, Dixon appeared in one play, a zone read play near the goalline, where Dixon was tackled for a 1-yard loss. Dixon didn't play again until the Predators' Week 3 game against the Philadelphia Soul. Dixon came in to replace the struggling Rowley, and completed 9 of 13 passes for 120-yards. Dixon also had 2 touchdown passes and one interception against the Soul.[8] Dixon was released in late May.

New Orleans VooDoo

On May 30, 2013, Dixon was assigned to the New Orleans VooDoo.[9] In Dixon's first game action with the VooDoo, he replaced starter Kurt Rocco, who was struggling against the San Antonio Talons' pass-rush. Dixon was able to evade defenders, running for 66-yards and did not get sacked once. Dixon took over trailing 21–6, and led the VooDoo to a 56–53 loss, after he was tripped up as he was attempting to make a pass on the final play of the game.[10] Dixon's playing style caught the attention of many in the league. Dixon is one of the few players to ever play arena football out of the shotgun.[11] Dixon's play helped the VooDoo fight to get back into the playoff picture for 2013.[12]

Return to Sioux Falls

On January 6, 2014, it was announced that Dixon would be returning to the Storm, citing his desire to graduate from Augustana College and be close to his family as his reasons for return.[13] After the 2014 season, Dixon announced his retirement as a player.[1][14]

Arizona Rattlers

On March, 30, 2023, following Quarterback Drew Powell being placed on short-term injured reserve, it was announced that Dixon was signed to the Arizona Rattlers.[15]

Coaching career

In late July 2014, the Billings Wolves of the Indoor Football League announced they had signed Dixon as head coach for their upcoming inaugural season.[1][14]

In July 2022, Cactus Shadows High School in Scottsdale, AZ announced they had selected Coach Dixon to lead their football program.[16]

References
  1. Welsch, Jeff (July 31, 2014). "Dixon ready to take IFL by storm as coach". Billings Gazette. Billings, MT. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
  2. Joe Kusek (May 20, 2005). "billingsgazette.com/sports/article_da90cba9-5758-57f1-bebd-aa207974b11d.html". Billings Gazette. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  3. "Red Dogs sign pair of QBs; season starts Saturday". Rapid City Journal. March 15, 2005. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  4. "2004 NAFL National Champions....EASTSIDE HAWKS". www.community.digitalsports.com. Digital Sports. November 18, 2004. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  5. "Red Dogs say Goodbye to QB/WR Chris Dixon". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. May 19, 2005. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  6. Ryan Minch (May 30, 2012). "Dixon etches name in record books with 500th career TD pass". Billings Gazette. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  7. Brendan Sonnone (November 19, 2012). "Chance of Chris Leak returning to Preds appears unlikely". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  8. J.C. Carnahan (April 6, 2013). "Host Predators walloped by Philadelphia 61–33". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  9. Rachel Whittaker (May 31, 2013). "New Orleans VooDoo acquires QB Chris Dixon and continues homestand Saturday against Cleveland". www.nola.com. NOLA Media Group. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
  10. Gary Estwick (June 30, 2013). "VooDoo's Pat O'Hara noncommittal on naming starting QB". www.theadvocate.com. Capital City Press LLC. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
  11. Nick Krueger (July 9, 2013). "VooDoo QB Chris Dixon stands tall, defies the odds". www.sportsnola.com. LeSEA Broadcasting. Archived from the original on August 20, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  12. Richard Obert (July 11, 2013). "Rattlers will have to be ready for VooDoo dual-threat QB Chris Dixon out of the shotgun". www.azcentral.com. Gannett. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  13. "Quarterback Chris Dixon returning to Storm". Argus Leader. Gannett. January 6, 2014. Archived from the original on January 7, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  14. "Billings Wolves name Chris Dixon head coach". Billings Gazette. Billings, MT. July 31, 2014. Retrieved August 3, 2014.
  15. "RATTLERS PLACE POWELL ON IR, SIGN QB CHRIS DIXON". Arizona Rattlers. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  16. "CACTUS SHADOWS HIGH SCHOOL ANNOUNCED NEW HEAD FOOTBALL COACH". AZ Ed News. Cave Creek, AZ. June 7, 2022. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
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