Antonio Dixon: The Story of a True Philadelphia Underdog

At 16 years of age, Michael Oher was living on the streets in Memphis Tenn. He was illiterate, his father was dead and his mother addicted to drugs.

The 2009 film, The Blind Side, tells the story of Oher's challenging road to success in the National Football League.

This season all eyes have been on Michael Vick, as he attempts to find redemption after his release from prison two years ago. The Philadelphia quarterback has so far accomplished what very few believed he could do.

However, in the midst of his success, another success story has been unveiling in the city of brotherly love similar to that of Michael Oher's.

A new acquisition to the Philadelphia Eagles this season, defensive tackle Antonio Dixon, has not had the easiest journey to the NFL. Growing up, whenever Antonio's friends asked him to hang out after school, he would make excuses in order to keep the truth hidden.

The truth was that he was due to arrive at the Homeless Assistance Center in Miami before the 7 p.m. curfew.

The homeless shelter was one of at least six that Antonio grew up in scattered from Miami to Atlanta. His single, teenage mother did what she could to raise him and her four other children, but her options were limited after Antonio's father was sent to prison for 17 years on drug trafficking charges.

After time spend in a foster home when his mother slipped into drug problems, Antonio and his family finally moved into an apartment during his eighth grade year. He had problems in school, suffering from dyslexia left him unable to read until he was in sixth grade.

He also had a stuttering problem, which was targeted by others who made fun of him; before he finished his eighth grade year, Antonio was expelled from school for fighting.

Despite his learning disabilities and his time spent in over 10 middle schools throughout his teenage years, Antonio never lost track of his goal to escape the life of living in poverty.

He attended Booker T. Washington High School in ninth grade, where his life began to take shape. He began playing football and by the time he graduated, Antonio was ranked the 19th player in Florida by Rivals.com.

Antonio played one year at Milford Academy to prepare for his college career. After leading Milford to a 11-1 record during his one season, Dixon elected to go to Miami University.

During his career at Miami, Dixon made 71 tackles, 8.5 for a loss, 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. In 2009, he received the Wilma Rudolph Student Athlete Achievement Award, which is given to college athletes who overcame personal, academic and emotional odds to achieve success.

Later that May, he became the first member of his family to graduate college, receiving his degree in liberal arts.

Dixon's story would be fascinating enough if it ended right there, but it doesn't. After going undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft, Dixon received word that the Washington Redskins were going to sign him as an undrafted free agent.

The excitement was short lived, when the Redskins elected to waive him on Sept. 5, 2009.

One day later, the Philadelphia Eagles claimed Antonio off waivers. He remained on the roster for the remainder of the 2009 season, behind Brodrick Bunkley, Mike Patterson and Trevor Laws.

He still managed to have a productive year from the backup role, earning him a spot on the roster this season.

Antonio worked hard in the offseason, and advanced his way up the depth chart to the No. 3 role at defensive tackle. After a mediocre start to the season for Patterson, and Bunkley falling to an elbow injury against San Francisco, Dixon suddenly found himself in position to be the starting defensive tackle in Week 6 against Atlanta.

He hasn't looked back, accumulating 19 tackles and one sack since taking over as the starter. He was quickly accepted into the role by his teammates, coaches and especially the fans.

With the success, Antonio hasn't forgotten his roots. With his first few paychecks, he bought his family a three bedroom apartment in Miami. Antonio is living in his one bedroom apartment in Philadelphia, spending cautiously and content with his style of living.

10 years ago, he was living in a homeless shelter; now, he is the starting defensive tackle for a playoff bound team in the National Football League.

For Antonio and his family, what was once an unimaginable dream, has now become reality.