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Bulls To Honor Fallen Teammate

Courtesy of the Dorsey Family

Since USF running back Keeley Dorsey died Jan. 17, 2007, his No. 10 jersey has not been worn at USF.

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 25, 2009

Updated: 03/26/2009 01:21 am

TAMPA - Since University of South Florida freshman running back Keeley Dorsey died Jan. 17, 2007, his No. 10 jersey has not been worn at USF. That will change this fall.

A different USF senior will wear Dorsey's No. 10 jersey for each game to honor their former teammate, USF senior defensive end George Selvie and senior quarterback Matt Grothe said.

This fall would have been Dorsey's senior season. He collapsed and died during a weightlifting workout two years ago in the school's athletic facility.

Selvie said some of this year's senior class approached USF coach Jim Leavitt and equipment manager Jeremy Lees about the idea of a senior wearing No. 10 each game.

"They thought it was a great idea, so we ran with it," Selvie said.

As a freshman, Dorsey played in eight games. He had 10 carries for 66 yards, including a 52-yard touchdown in the 2006 season opener against McNeese State.

"That's somebody, when he died, he was a big part of our team," Selvie said. "That was a shock to us. I felt bad for his family. It got me to thinking, when he died I was his same age [19].

"It's great to honor him. We play for him every time we go out there. He's supposed to be with us [the 2009 senior class] right now, but we're going to honor his memory."

Unlike USF's other jerseys which include each player's last name, the No. 10 jersey will not have a name on the back, Selvie said.

Selvie and Grothe said they have already determined which games they will wear No. 10. Grothe said he'll wear No. 10 for USF's homecoming, while Selvie will wear No. 10 on USF's Senior Night against Miami on Nov. 28.

Grothe said it's a huge honor honor to wear Dorsey's No. 10.

In fact, last year Grothe received a 7-month old beagle from his parents and named the puppy "Keeley's Little Angel" in honor of Dorsey.

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928

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