George Dixon (Canadian football) facts for kids
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1964 Topps CFL Card of Montreal Alouettes running back George Dixon
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| Date of birth: | October 19, 1933 |
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| Place of birth: | New Haven, Connecticut |
| Date of death: | August 6, 1990 (aged 56) |
| Place of death: | Montreal, Quebec |
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Career information
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| CFL status: | Import |
| Position(s): | RB |
| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight: | 195 lb (88 kg) |
| College: | Bridgeport |
| NFL Draft: | 1959 / Round: 9 / Pick: 97 |
| Drafted by: | Green Bay Packers |
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Organizations
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Career highlights and awards
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| CFL All-Star: | 1962, 1963 |
| CFL East All-Star: | 1962, 1963 |
| Awards: | 1962 CFL MOP |
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Career stats
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Canadian Football Hall of Fame, 1974
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George Washington Dixon (born October 19, 1933 – died August 6, 1990) was an amazing professional Canadian football player. He was also a successful football coach at the college level in Canada. Dixon was a star running back for the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League (CFL) from 1959 to 1965. Even though his career was shortened by injuries, he is remembered as one of the best players for the Alouettes. His jersey number, 28, was even retired by the team! In 1974, he was honored by being inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. Later, in 2006, he was named one of the top 50 CFL players of the modern era by TSN. After playing, George Dixon became a coach for the Loyola College Warriors (now part of the Concordia Stingers) college football team.
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George Dixon's Early Football Career
George Dixon was born in New Haven, Connecticut. He went to the University of Bridgeport, where he was a standout running back for their football team, the Purple Knights.
Playing for the Green Bay Packers?
After college, George Dixon was chosen by the Green Bay Packers in the 1959 NFL Draft. This is when professional football teams pick new players. He showed his talent right away in an exhibition game against the San Francisco 49ers. He made an incredible 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown! However, the Packers' new coach, Vince Lombardi, decided not to keep him on the team. This meant Dixon missed out on playing for one of the greatest teams in NFL history. But it also led him to become a star in the Canadian Football League instead!
George Dixon's CFL Career Highlights
George Dixon joined the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League. He quickly became one of the league's most exciting players. With the help of his teammate, Bob Geary, who blocked for him, Dixon ran for a total of 5,615 yards. That's a lot of running! He averaged 6.3 yards every time he carried the ball, which is very impressive.
Scoring Touchdowns and Breaking Records
Dixon scored 59 touchdowns in his career, with 42 of them coming from rushing. One of his best games was on September 5, 1960, when he scored 4 touchdowns against the Ottawa Rough Riders. He rushed for over 100 yards in a game 24 times during his career.
Even though the Alouettes didn't have winning seasons while Dixon played, they still made it to the playoffs in 5 out of his 7 years. George Dixon also holds a special record in the Alouettes' history: the longest run from scrimmage! On September 2, 1963, he ran for an amazing 109 yards against the Ottawa Rough Riders. That same day, he set the Alouettes' record for most rushing yards in a single game, with 235 yards.
Awards and Recognition
George Dixon's best season was in 1962. He rushed for 1,520 yards that year. He was named an Eastern Conference and CFL All-Star. He also won the CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award, which is a huge honor! In 1963, he had another great season, rushing for 1,270 yards and earning All-Star honors again.
Dixon's amazing achievements are still remembered today. His jersey number, 28, has been retired by the Alouettes, meaning no other player can wear it. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1974. In 2006, he was recognized again as one of the top 50 CFL players of the modern era by TSN.
George Dixon's Coaching Success
After his playing days were over, George Dixon became a football coach. He coached the Loyola College Warriors in Montreal. When he took over in 1968, the team had a very tough record, losing all 10 of their games the year before. People thought it would be a huge challenge for him.
Turning a Team Around
But George Dixon proved them wrong! In his first year as coach, the 1968 Loyola Warriors had an incredible season. They won every single game, finishing with a perfect 6-0 record! They won the Eastern Division of their league and were the only undefeated team in the entire country that year. His team scored 201 points while only letting the other teams score 18 points against them. This shows how strong their defense was!
George Dixon passed away on August 6, 1990, in Montreal. He was 56 years old. He left behind a legacy as both a fantastic football player and a successful coach.
