David Dixon is one of Pukekohe’s finest sporting products having played 152 games in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings during a long and successful career.

From humble beginnings, growing up in Pukekohe in the 1980s, to the glitz and glamour of playing in front of massive worldwide television audiences with and against some of the biggest names the sporting world has ever seen, Dixon’s story is remarkable.

He recently sat down with Pukekohe High School Sports Coordinator Shey Eva to help celebrate the school’s centenary this year to tell that story.

“I came from the north side – it was pretty rough over there but that was the life that I was given and I enjoyed every minute of it,” Dixon told Eva.

“There were some really good mentors that had picked me up and taken me to all the practices and things like that, which shaped me into the person I am today.

“My grandmother – can’t forget about my grandmother who raised me. She was a wonderful person who gave me all the influences that I needed.:

Dixon attended Pukekohe North Primary, Pukekohe Intermediate and Pukekohe High School during his formative years.

“I wasn’t too keen on school – I didn’t think I could handle school,” he explained. “It took me a while to figure things out and get on the right track about education and things like that. Low and behold I did actually graduate with a bachelor’s degree.”

Dixon was a stand-out rugby player, playing for the Pukekohe High School 1st XV as well as making various age group representative teams.

“While I was there, I did make the New Zealand U17s team 9alongside future All Blacks Craig Innes, Walter Little, John Timu and Jason Goldsmith) and that is what propelled me to make a name for myself.

“I also played with Puni Rugby Club and I had so much fun with it.”

But his journey to the NFL is something of legend. Rumour has long had it that he was literally walking down around the Auckland waterfront when an NFL scout saw him and, marvelling at his six foot, five frame, approached him to see if he had ever played American Football.

“I was spotted downtown just cruising down the streets of Auckland and this fella comes up to me and asks if I wanted to play American Football,” Dixon said.

“Back then rugby was still an amateur sport and it had just started going professional. I needed to make something of myself and try and do something with some gift that I had.

“It worked out for me, when I went to this training camp, I received a scholarship to go over to the United States.”

After attending university in the US, Dixon entered the NFL draft and was selected by the New England Patriots with 232nd pick of the 1992 draft.

“When I first came to the US I was placed as a defensive lineman and I spent four years in collegiate football training as a defensive lineman,” Dixon said. “I got drafted by the New England Patriots and it didn’t work out for me playing that position.

“Minnesota picked me up and they put me on the other side of the ball. I didn’t even know how to play the position.

“My coach Dennis Green had the patience with me to develop. I got the hang of it – it took me three years to figure it out.

“To invest in me for three years is unheard of.

“I started for the next 10 years and played all of those games.”

During his career, he was with the Dallas Cowboys when they won a Super Bowl though he didn’t play in the game and never received a ring. He went back to the Minnesota Vikings in 1994 and spent a decade at the highest level as a key part of their offense.

“I will always enjoy what I did in the NFL and the way I played the game. I loved every moment of it. It was a great experience,” he said.

Dixon is now 52 and living in Minnesota. His daughter TeTori plays for the United States women’s national volleyball team.