Tragedy strikes USF: Keeley Dorsey has died
TAMPA -- USF football player Keeley Dorsey, a freshman running back from Tallahassee, died Wednesday afternoon after being rushed by ambulance from USF's athletic facility to a local hospital. He was 19 years old. Dorsey was in a routine conditioning workout when he collapsed.
Dorsey was taken to University Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 2:34.
Dorsey, a graduate of Tallahassee's Lincoln High School, was one of six players who saw game action as true freshman during the 2006 season, finishing with 10 carries for 66 yards and a touchdown. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound running back scored a 52-yard touchdown on the final play of USF's 41-10 win against McNeese State in the season opener.
"Our entire athletic family is deeply saddened by this tragic loss," said athletic director Doug Wooldard at a news conference on campus.
Coach Jim Leavitt was in West Palm Beach on a recruiting trip Wednesday and was expected to return Wednesday night. Wooldard addressed the team before speaking with the media.
It's the second athlete death at USF in 15 months. Basketball player Bradley Mosley died in October 2005 after a yearlong battle with a rare form of kidney cancer.
USF football also lost Patrick Payton when he died in a motorcycle accident in 2001 after redshirting as a freshman.
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
What a horrible tragedy. My wife and I sat next to his daddy in the parents section and chatted with him all during one of the games, what a nice guy and what a good son. It is an even more tragic loss that this athlete was one of the rare young men on that team of high character and a good student, one of the shining stars on a team with far too many who are neither good people nor good students. That family must be in such pain right now and my heart breaks for them and we pray for them to be consoled, to lose a son must be a pain almost beyond endurance.
Posted by: John E. Killett | January 17, 2007 at 07:03 PM
John, while I echo your comments about the unfortunate passing of a great young man, I think your backhanded slap in the faces of the other players to whom you refer is unecessary and ignorant. Let's not forget that those players whom you now choose to disparage are in a state of grieving and your comments don't help facilitate the healing process.
Your comments wreak of a hidden agenda.
Posted by: | January 17, 2007 at 09:05 PM
John, while I echo your comments about the unfortunate passing of a great young man, I think your backhanded slap in the faces of the other players to whom you refer is unecessary and ignorant. Let's not forget that those players whom you now choose to disparage are in a state of grieving and your comments don't help facilitate the healing process.
Your comments wreak of a hidden agenda.
Posted by: Scott Turner | January 17, 2007 at 09:06 PM
John - you sir are an a$$. I have come across very little that I find offensive but your comments are truly offensive and un-necessary.
Posted by: Gary | January 17, 2007 at 10:14 PM
My prayers to the family and friends.
Uncalled for comments by John.
Posted by: E.T. Thomas | January 18, 2007 at 08:42 AM
John,
what a stupid comment to make.
RIP # 10
Posted by: ChiTown | January 19, 2007 at 02:25 PM