David Dixon (American football)

David Dixon
No. 71
PositionGuard
Personal information
Born (1969-01-05) 5 January 1969
Pukekohe, New Zealand
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight343 lb (156 kg)
Career information
High schoolPukekohe (NZ)
College
NFL draft1992: 9th round, 232nd overall pick
Career history
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Games played152
Games started134
Fumble recoveries4
Stats at Pro Football Reference

David Tukatahi Dixon (born 5 January 1969) is a New Zealand-born former professional football guard who played eleven professional seasons in the National Football League (NFL) and was the second Māori to play in professional football after Riki Ellison. He was selected 232nd overall by the New England Patriots in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL draft.[2] He also earned a Super Bowl ring as part of the practice squad for the Dallas Cowboys, though practice squad players did not receive an actual ring.

Early life

Dixon represented New Zealand in rugby at the high school level in 1985.[3]

College career

Dixon attended Arizona State University after transferring from Ricks College[4][5] in Idaho. He first played American football in college after being an active rugby player.[6]

Professional career

Dixon wore number 71 while playing and starting for the Minnesota Vikings[4][5] as an offensive lineman. He had two stints with the Vikings, with the second lasting 11 years (1994-2004). He was a vital part of the team's offensive unit and retired in 2004 after sustaining several injuries.

Personal life

Dixon's daughter TeTori plays for the United States women's national volleyball team, and also was a key player for Burnsville (High School) in Minnesota.[7]

Dixon became a United States Citizen in 1999.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Transactions". NFL.com. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  2. ^ "1992 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  3. ^ "David Dixon – māori sports awards".
  4. ^ a b Harmon, Dick (21 December 2004). "Ricks College football keeps on giving". Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret News Publishing Company. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  5. ^ a b Rock, Brad (13 November 1997). "Haun's solo mission: national title to Ricks". Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret News Publishing Company. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  6. ^ a b "David Dixon, Minnesota OG - Player Evaluation - Scout". Archived from the original on 16 April 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2017.
  7. ^ Askeland, Kevin (4 October 2009). "Minnesota: Blocking skills for Burnsville volleyball's Tori Dixon are in the genes". MaxPreps.com. Retrieved 19 January 2015.