Five months ago, Dennis Dixon was the most despised person in the University community. As we all know, Dixon signed a contract to play for Atlanta’s farm team over the summer and forgo much of his senior preseason – a critical preseason for the entire team. Admit it, you were pissed. So was I. So was Bellotti. It was justified.
We watched last season end sourly, but we still had high hopes as Dixon showed immense potential, and Jonathan Stewart would surely skyrocket. But then in June, Dixon shocked us all by signing that baseball contract. I – as did many – felt extremely betrayed. I felt he let down our community, our school, and our program. And then he had the nerve show up for training camp like he was going to own the place – like it was his team. Needless to say, the heat was on for Dixon’s final season.
And then he let his game do the talking. Dixon showed up big, and through all his Heisman-worthy performances, told all the naysayers – including myself – to shut the hell up. And we did. I won’t deny that I was hating on Dixon, and you shouldn’t either. I know there are some out there like Chip Kelly who stood by Dixon from the start, but most of you were just as confused as I was. We lashed out in anger and frustration, and Dixon faced potential mutiny from fans and even teammates. For this – not his stellar on-field displays – I fully applaud Dennis Dixon’s season.
Seriously, what cojones on this guy. People talked trash about him all summer, including a skeptical Bellotti, and he never let it get to him. He was one tough, early loss this season from getting benched. Let’s be totally honest. All it took was one atrocious loss for fans, critics, and possibly coaches to say, “I told you so.” Basically, Dixon had an uphill battle this year from the very beginning, which actually began last year against Cal.
His performance notably went downhill following that brutal loss, and skeptics wondered if he’d ever live up to his potential. But he bounced back mentally stronger than he’d ever been. He didn’t crumble following this year’s loss to Cal, and lead his team with honor despite the loss. On top of all the off-field pressures, he is rallying the Ducks toward a potential national championship and Heisman-winning season. And he did it without a 50-foot, egomaniacal billboard in New York.
He is unquestionably the most resilient and reliable quarterback in the nation, worthy of everything good that comes to him. His mental toughness, not his physical attributes, are his most impressive assets.
If he got through last year’s spirit-crushing criticism as well as he did, then I doubt there’s nothing Dixon can’t do. So, on behalf of all rude, presumptuous critics in the world, I apologize to you, Dennis Dixon.
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