Rare blood disease motivates former Kent State University football player to help others
A special bond between a former player and coach resulted in a life lesson for local youth players during this week’s Future Stars youth football camp at Bellefontaine High School.
Antwan Dixon made a 12-hour drive from Georgia to share his inspiring story of overcoming a life-threatening disease for former coach Jason Brown, the head football coach at Bellefontaine.
Dixon suffers from a disease called aplastic anemia, which is a condition that occurs when the body stops producing enough new blood cells. It can cause exhaustion, high risk of infection and uncontrolled bleeding. There is no known cure with fewer than 1,000 cases in the United States each year. One out of every million teenagers get this disease according to Dixon.
He was first diagnosed with the rare blood disorder when he was 16, while he attended South Fort Myers High School in Florida, where Brown was, at the time, an assistant coach during Dixon’s freshman and sophomore seasons.
Dixon went on to play football at Kent State University as a wide receiver in the fall of 2015 where he led the Flashes in receiving yards. However, in the summer of 2016 hisaplastic anemia stopped him in his tracks again.
This time, Dixon dropped to 125 pounds and was hospitalized. He underwent chemo treatment before receiving a life-saving bone marrow transplant from his father, Anthony, in April of 2017.
Dixon returned to Kent State University in January of 2018 and was cleared to play six months later. That fall he led the Flashes in catches with 52 and was second on the team in receiving yards with 532.
“I want these kids to know not to give up,” said Dixon. “That has been the biggest thing since day one when I was diagnosed. Even if I was to pass away, I didn’t give up. I’m here, though, I’m healthy and able to talk to them, and let them know there is more to life even after you have a sickness or illness.
“You have to keep going. You have family, your parents and some people don’t have that. There are big support systems. People come out of the blue and come when you have stuff going on, whatever it is. People you don’t even know and they’re genuine.”
Coming to football camps like the one at Bellefontaine this week have helped Dixon forget about what he has gone through and gives him a chance to inspire others. He has already spoke at a handful of camps in Florida.
“At times I have flashbacks and remember times it was rough, but times like this I can get away from it mentally and talk about the positive stuff that has come from it,” said Dixon. “I’ve been through a lot, but the stuff that has happened, the memories, the accomplishments and recognition is paying off.”
Dixon’s incredible story did not go unnoticed. He was one of three players to receive the 2018 Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Award, he was the 2018 Male Athlete of the Year by the Touchdown Club of Columbus and was nominated for the 2018 Capital One Bowl-FWAA Courage Award.
Dixon led by example after coming back to play football at Kent State. He was a leader for the Kent State football chapter of Uplifting Athletes during his team’s inaugural Lift for Life fundraiser to support the rare disease community.
Having Dixon come to Bellefontaine’s youth camp and working with local athletes warmed Brown’s heart.
“It was an amazing and special moment,” said Brown. “You realize this is why we coach. The relationships we can build with people no matter where you’re at. Those relationships last forever.
“I look at him as a former player and he is family, even if he is a South Fort Myers Wolfpack guy, he is family. Just in the past 12 hours he’s been here, to see him ingrain himself with our players and our culture has been really special.”
Driving 12 hours for a youth football camp may not sound ideal for some, but for Dixon it was an easy decision.
“It means a lot coming here,” said Dixon. “Coach Brown is one of my dad’s best friends. He meant a lot to my family and will always be one of my guys. I’ll do whatever I can do to be around him and do what he needs from me.
“He’s my dude and I know he’ll do anything for me. I came here for him. I haven’t met his two younger children yet. This was the first time meeting them so it’s good to see people I know and love. It’s a good time here.”
Dixon graduated from Kent State University in 2020 and is currently working on a master’s degree in public administration at Valdosta State University in Georgia. Dixon also has a year of eligibility left and will play football for the NCAA Division II program, which is usually a national title contender.