Montreal Alouettes

George Dixon - Running Back - 1959-65 - Bridgeport Univ.

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George Dixon was born in New Haven Connecticut in 1934. He excelled in football and attended the University of Bridgport where he was a star for the Purple Knights football team. Dixon was drafted into the NFL by the Green Bay Packers in 1959 in the 9th round, 97th overall. He was cut by the Packers in 1959 and moved north to join the Montreal Alouettes for the end of the 1959 season.

 

Teaming with star quarterback Sam Etchevarry, Dixon had great success. In his first full season in the CFL in 1960 George had 976 yards rushing and 9 rushing touchdowns add to that 755 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns through the air and Dixon had one of the greatest statistical seasons in league history.

 

Dixon's finest season would be in 1962 when he led the league with 1,520 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns rushing; for good measure he had 4 receiving touchdowns. George was named the leagues Most Outstanding Player in 1962. The Alouettes would fail to post a winning record throughout Dixon's time with the club but that was

George Dixon       Bridgeport Univ.      
  Rushing       Receiving      
Yr Team C Yds Avg Lg TD C Yds Avg Lg TD
1959 Mtl 38 301 7.9 77 1 22 322 14.6 0 0
1960 Mtl 161 976 6.1 70 9 33 755 22.9 47 9
1961 Mtl 138 806 5.8 50 7 15 211 14.1 49 1
1962 Mtl 216 1,520 7.0 75 11 24 393 16.4 67 4
1963 Mtl 189 1,270 6.7 109 10 16 190 11.9 52 1
1964 Mtl 107 594 5.6 76 4 18 155 8.6 49 1
1965 Mtl 47 148 3.1 14 0 13 190 14.6 28 1
Total 7 896 5,615 6.3 109 42 141 2,216 15.7 67 17

not due to any lack of production for the star back. Dixon would have his last big season in 1963 with 1,270 yards rushing as he was named a CFL all-star for the second year in a row. Also, in 1963 Dixon set a league record with a 109 yards rush for a touchdown versus Ottawa - a record that cannot be broken.

 

Dixon struggled with injuries in 1964 and '65 failing to break the 1,000 yard rushing plateau. Dixon retired after the 1965 season. George Dixon remined in Montreal after his playing days and in 1968 he became head coach of the Loyola College in Montreal. Dixon played a big part in turning around the clubs fortunes and had great success. George Dixon was elected to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1974. George remained in Montreal until his death in 1990. A terrific athlete and an all-time great George Dixon also had his number 28 retired by the Alouettes.