Domenik Hixon Domenik Hixon ( born October 8 , 1984 ) is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft and won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants . He played college football at Akron . Early years . Hixon was born to an African American father and a German mother . He attended Whitehall - Yearling High School outside Columbus , Ohio and was a letterman in football , basketball , track , and baseball . In basketball , he was named Honorable Mention All - State as a point guard . Former high school teammate of NFL defensive back Keiwan Ratliff . College career . Hixon was one of Charlie Frye ' s passing weapons during his first 3 years at Akron . In the 2005 MAC Championship game he caught Luke Getsy ' s game winning Hail Mary pass , earning Akron its first MAC Championship in school history . Professional career . Denver Broncos . Hixon played 4 games for the Denver Broncos to start the 2007 season then was released in early October . He functioned as the team ' s starting kick returner . At the start of the second quarter in the first game of the season against the Buffalo Bills , tight end Kevin Everett suffered a serious spinal cord injury while tackling Hixon . Everett had a near - full recovery after a grim prognosis but never played another NFL game . New York Giants . The New York Giants quickly signed Hixon and soon he took over the main kickoff returning duties . Domenik had one reception for 5 yards against the Minnesota Vikings on November 25 . He made his mark by returning a kickoff 74 yards for a touchdown in the Giants ' 2007 regular season finale against the undefeated New England Patriots . Hixon ' s touchdown put the Giants ahead 14 - 10 in the 2nd quarter , but the Giants lost 38 - 35 . As the main kickoff returner , Hixon returned 10 kickoffs for an average of 25 . 3 yards during the Giants run to Super Bowl XLII . His returns provided the Giants with good field position and helped propel their offense into the end zone on several occasions . He recovered a critical fumble late in the 4th quarter of the NFC Championship game on January 20 at frigid Lambeau Field , a game the Giants eventually won in overtime . Hixon also recorded 2 special teams tackles in the 2007 playoffs . Hixon later broke out in the Giants second preseason game against the Cleveland Browns , catching two touchdown passes and then returned a 82 - yard kickoff for a touchdown , all in the first quarter . In week 5 of the 2008 Season , Hixon was forced to start after Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress was suspended for breaking team rules . Hixon would have 4 catches for 102 yards and a touchdown in his first career start . He left the game late in the first half after suffering a concussion . In Week 14 , Hixon would again be placed in the starting role for the rest of the season , due to the suspension of Burress for conduct detrimental to the team after suffering an accidental self - inflicted gunshot wound to his leg . On June 16 , 2010 , Hixon suffered a torn ACL at a practice at the Giants ' new home in the New Meadowlands , and was pronounced out for the season . He was waived / injured and subsequently placed on the injured reserve list on July 17 . On August 13 , 2011 , Hixon returned to the team in the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers preseason game . On week 2 of the 2011 Season , Hixon tore his ACL while making a spectacular bobbling catch in the endzone . He was declared out for the season . In his career he ' s made 31 special teams tackles , caught 63 passes for 838 yards ( 13 . 3 avg ) and 4 touchdowns , ran 3 times on reverse plays for 18 yards , returned 51 punts for 561 yards and a touchdown and 80 kickoffs for 1 , 966 yards and a touchdown . On March 3 , 2012 Hixon re - signed with the New York Giants . Carolina Panthers . At the start of free agency , Hixon reportedly turned down an offer from the Detroit Lions . After receiving interest from the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers , Hixon ultimately agreed to terms on a one - year deal with the Carolina Panthers on April 3 , 2013 . Charity Work . Domenik Hixon hosts the Next Level Football Camp , with co - founder Anthony Jordan , which provides underprivileged children in the Columbus , Ohio area with a summer football training program . In the past , the camp has been staffed by current and former NFL players such as Lance Moore , Chase Blackburn , and Gary Joshua .