Char-ron Dorsey, former offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans, passed away on Monday, March 4, 2024, aged 46, bringing a sad note to the sports world. Dorsey’s death was the result of complications related to a stroke.
Born in 1977, Dorsey first stepped onto the football field at The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida, where he quickly made his mark and secured all-state honors. His undeniable talent took him to the Florida State Seminoles college football team, where he played a crucial role in their 1999 national championship victory and earned All-ACC honors.
Dorsey’s professional journey in football started when he was chosen by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played 12 games in the NFL, with his career divided between the Cowboys and the Texans. However, a knee injury in 2003 ended his professional playing career.
After the NFL, Dorsey shifted his focus to youth football coaching in his hometown of Jacksonville, Florida. His coaching career, spanning middle and high school levels, left a significant mark on young athletes through his mentorship and advocacy.
Dorsey is particularly recognized for his leadership at Matthew Gilbert Middle School, where he led the team to an 87-5 record and three championships across ten seasons. “He was very much about the kids and not just about football. He was teaching them about life,” noted a colleague, reflecting Dorsey’s dedication to using football as a tool to impart life lessons.
One of his former players offered a personal perspective, stating, “He pushed us to be our best, not just as athletes but as young men. He cared about what we were doing in school and our lives at home. He was more than a coach; he was a mentor, a friend.”
His son, C.J. Dorsey, who is now a defensive back at Ferris State University and a former player coached by his father, survives Dorsey. His son continues to uphold his father’s legacy in the world of football.
Family, friends, former teammates, and those he coached gathered in Jacksonville, Florida, for Dorsey’s visitation and funeral services, celebrating his life and legacy. Dorsey’s impactful contributions, particularly in youth and high school football coaching, leave a noticeable gap in both the Jacksonville community and the larger football world.