TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

USF To Honor Fallen Teammate

ADVERTISEMENT

By BRETT McMURPHY

bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com

Published: March 26, 2009

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, 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 USF's athletic facility.

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

Moreover, when Grothe received a 7-month-old beagle from his parents, he named the puppy "Keeley's Little Angel" in honor of Dorsey.

NOTE: Junior linebacker Alonzo McQueen is leaving the program, Coach Jim Leavitt said.

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

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT