During his tenure as head coach of Matthew Gilbert, Andrew Jackson and Terry Parker, the former NFL player known by the nickname “Big Red” shaped the lives of many young men.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Sports fans across the First Coast are mourning the loss of former Terry Parker coach Sharon Dorsey Sr. Mr Dorsey's sudden death on Monday shocked the community.
Dorsey was a standout soccer player at Bolles, earning all-state first-team 4A honors three times.
Dorsey played college baseball at Florida State University, earning first-team All-ACC honors as a senior.
The Dallas Cowboys drafted Dorsey in the seventh round in 2001, but Dorsey's true passion was coaching and teaching.
During his tenure as head coach of Matthew Gilbert, Andrew Jackson and Terry Parker, the man known as “Big Red” shaped the lives of many young men.
Childhood friend Joe Mitchell spent the last two days with Dorsey before he died. Mitchell said Dorsey was recovering from his stroke and was grateful for his second chance at life.
Mitchell said she told Dorsey she loved him when she dropped him off Monday night.
“After I helped him get him out of the car, I told him I love you. He was like, I love you more. I was my little brother's caretaker. , he said, and he said, without a doubt, I know you are,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell said that during the 30-minute drive home, she received a call from Dorsey's son, CJ, who told her to get to the hospital as soon as possible.
“So, when I got there, CJ was already in the emergency room, just crying and saying his dad was gone,” Mitchell said.
A friend of over 30 years passed away.
“What I'll miss most is the 'I love you' messages from them. Not when a man gives you flowers before breaking up. The conversation I had with him on Monday was really all about me. It wasn't about him. He appreciated what I did for him and his son. I'll miss him when he's gone. I'll miss his smile. I’m going to miss that 6-foot-7 giant,” Mitchell said.
My friend Mitchell says he loved and gave everything he had in just 45 years of life.
“A big teddy bear who was legendary and kind-hearted and loved seeing others smile. He wanted the kids who played for him to know they had a father as their head coach. I did,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell added that Dorsey's death was a reminder that one must live one's life to the fullest.
Dorsey was a standout football player at Matthew Gilbert in Bolles, Florida, and also played in the NFL.
He also coached Matthew Gilbert, Andrew Jackson and Terry Park. Dorsey is survived by his wife and two children.
