Ken Dorsey
Encyclopedia
Kenneth Simon "Ken" Dorsey (born April 22, 1981) is a former football
quarterback
. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers
in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at the University of Miami
. A two-time Heisman Trophy
finalist at Miami, Dorsey played for the Cleveland Browns
from 2006–2008. He is currently a pro scout for the Carolina Panthers
.
in Orinda, California, and was a letterman in football and basketball. In football, he was a USA Today Honorable Mention All-USA selection. In basketball, he was a two year letterman and as a senior, averaged 10.0 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 steals per game.
In addition, was named the co-MVP of the 2002 Rose Bowl
(in which Miami defeated the University of Nebraska to win its fifth national championship), Offensive Player of the Year twice (2001, 2002), and First-team All-Big East three times (2000, 2001, 2002). Dorsey was also a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in both 2001 and 2002 and the winner of the 2001 Maxwell Award
, which is given to the national collegiate player of the year.
In 2002, he led Miami to an undefeated regular season and a National Championship berth, where Miami would fall to eventual champion Ohio State in what is remembered as one of the all-time best bowl games in the history of college football. In double-overtime Dorsey and the Hurricanes were upset in their bid to win a second straight national championship. He passed for 296 yards, 2 TD's, and 2 picks. Miami finished the season 12–1, ranking second behind the Buckeyes. Dorsey finished the season with 3,369 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He was once again a finalist for the Heisman Trophy
.
by the San Francisco 49ers
. In his first two seasons in the NFL, he played in nine games (starting in seven), completing 171 of his 316 pass attempts, and throwing for 1,712 yards and eight touchdowns with eleven interceptions. He started the 2005 season as the third QB behind Tim Rattay
and #1 pick Alex Smith
, moving into the backup role after the trade of Tim Rattay
to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
. He went on to start three games for the injured Alex Smith. In a week 11 game against the Seattle Seahawks
, Dorsey led an inspired comeback and was a 2 point conversion away from sending the game into overtime.
In May 2006, Dorsey was traded to the Cleveland Browns
along with a 7th round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft
for veteran quarterback Trent Dilfer
, after having just re-signed with the 49ers. During training camp, Dorsey and Derek Anderson
competed for the 2nd string position behind starter Charlie Frye
. In the battle which ended in a virtual tie, Dorsey went on to serve as the 3rd string quarterback behind Anderson for all of the 2006 season. Dorsey was named the starter for the week 17 game against the Houston Texans
but the previously injured Charlie Frye
replaced him just minutes before the game. The Browns went on to lose to the Texans as Frye threw an interception and no touchdown passes.
Dorsey's hopes of becoming a starter for the Cleveland Browns became much more bleak after the Browns drafted quarterback Brady Quinn
of the University of Notre Dame
with the 22nd overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft
. Charlie Frye, Derek Anderson, Quinn and Dorsey battled for position on the Browns' QB depth chart throughout the 2007 NFL Pre-season. On September 1, 2007 the Browns released Dorsey. After a disappointing loss to Pittsburgh in Week 1, Frye was traded to Seattle and Dorsey was re-signed by the Browns in a reserve role. Derek Anderson had a break-through season in 2007, further diminishing the chances of Dorsey receiving playing time.
On November 30, 2008, Dorsey was sent in to the game against the Indianapolis Colts after Derek Anderson was injured; he made two passes, one incomplete the other an interception.
On December 2, Derek Anderson was put on injured reserve ending his season. Dorsey was named the starter for the remainder of the 2008 season. However, Dorsey was injured during the December 21st game that was against the Bengals. Fourth string QB Bruce Gradkowski
started in place of Dorsey in week 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Dorsey was released by the Browns on February 9, 2009.
For a brief time, Dorsey was the quarterbacks coach for the Lakewood Ranch Mustang's high school football team in Lakewood Ranch, Florida
. On April 26, 2011 he was named offensive coordinator at nearby Riverview High School (Sarasota, Florida)
.
of the Canadian Football League
, where he backed up former Miami Dolphins
QB Cleo Lemon
. On May 3, 2011, Dorsey announced his retirement from professional football.
Gridiron football
Gridiron football , sometimes known as North American football, is an umbrella term for related codes of football primarily played in the United States and Canada. The predominant forms of gridiron football are American football and Canadian football...
quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL Draft
2003 NFL Draft
The 2003 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft was held April 26–27, 2003 at the Theatre at...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at the University of Miami
Miami Hurricanes football
The Miami Hurricanes football program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for the University of Miami. The program began in 1926 and has won five AP national championships...
. A two-time Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
finalist at Miami, Dorsey played for the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
from 2006–2008. He is currently a pro scout for the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
.
Early years
Dorsey attended Miramonte High SchoolMiramonte High School
Miramonte High School is a public high school located in Orinda, California. It is part of the Acalanes Union High School District, which has a college preparatory program, with 15 Advanced Placement courses offered. Over 98% of its graduates go on to college. 320 students graduated in 2005, with...
in Orinda, California, and was a letterman in football and basketball. In football, he was a USA Today Honorable Mention All-USA selection. In basketball, he was a two year letterman and as a senior, averaged 10.0 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 steals per game.
College career
While at the University of Miami, Dorsey was known as a consummate winner, leading the Hurricanes to the 2001 national championship and posting a record of 38–2 as the team's starting quarterback. Dorsey also effectively rewrote the school record book, setting career records for total offense (9,486 yards), passing yards (9,565), passing touchdowns (86), pass completions (668), pass attempts (1,153), victories as a starting quarterback (38), winning percentage by a starting quarterback (.974), 200-yard passing performances (31), consecutive passes without an interception (193), consecutive games with a touchdown pass (31), and touchdown passes in a game (5).In addition, was named the co-MVP of the 2002 Rose Bowl
2002 Rose Bowl
The 2002 Rose Bowl, played on January 3, 2002, was a college football bowl game. It was the 88th Rose Bowl game and was the BCS National Championship Game of the 2001 college football season...
(in which Miami defeated the University of Nebraska to win its fifth national championship), Offensive Player of the Year twice (2001, 2002), and First-team All-Big East three times (2000, 2001, 2002). Dorsey was also a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in both 2001 and 2002 and the winner of the 2001 Maxwell Award
Maxwell Award
The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best football player in the United States. The...
, which is given to the national collegiate player of the year.
In 2002, he led Miami to an undefeated regular season and a National Championship berth, where Miami would fall to eventual champion Ohio State in what is remembered as one of the all-time best bowl games in the history of college football. In double-overtime Dorsey and the Hurricanes were upset in their bid to win a second straight national championship. He passed for 296 yards, 2 TD's, and 2 picks. Miami finished the season 12–1, ranking second behind the Buckeyes. Dorsey finished the season with 3,369 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He was once again a finalist for the Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
.
San Francisco 49ers
Despite a strong college career, Dorsey was selected in the 7th round (pick 241) of the 2003 NFL Draft2003 NFL Draft
The 2003 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft was held April 26–27, 2003 at the Theatre at...
by the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
. In his first two seasons in the NFL, he played in nine games (starting in seven), completing 171 of his 316 pass attempts, and throwing for 1,712 yards and eight touchdowns with eleven interceptions. He started the 2005 season as the third QB behind Tim Rattay
Tim Rattay
Timothy F. Rattay [] is a former professional American football quarterback who played in the National Football League and United Football League. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
and #1 pick Alex Smith
Alex Smith
Alexander Douglas Smith is a professional American football player and starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. Smith was drafted with the 1st-overall pick in the 1st round of the 2005 NFL Draft by San Francisco from the University of Utah...
, moving into the backup role after the trade of Tim Rattay
Tim Rattay
Timothy F. Rattay [] is a former professional American football quarterback who played in the National Football League and United Football League. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
. He went on to start three games for the injured Alex Smith. In a week 11 game against the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
, Dorsey led an inspired comeback and was a 2 point conversion away from sending the game into overtime.
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
along with a 7th round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft
2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
for veteran quarterback Trent Dilfer
Trent Dilfer
Trent Farris Dilfer is a former football quarterback in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sixth overall in the 1994 NFL Draft and went on to play for the Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers. He played college football...
, after having just re-signed with the 49ers. During training camp, Dorsey and Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson (American football)
Derek Matthew Anderson is an American football quarterback for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
competed for the 2nd string position behind starter Charlie Frye
Charlie Frye
Charles Frye, , is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Akron.-Early years:...
. In the battle which ended in a virtual tie, Dorsey went on to serve as the 3rd string quarterback behind Anderson for all of the 2006 season. Dorsey was named the starter for the week 17 game against the Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
but the previously injured Charlie Frye
Charlie Frye
Charles Frye, , is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Akron.-Early years:...
replaced him just minutes before the game. The Browns went on to lose to the Texans as Frye threw an interception and no touchdown passes.
Dorsey's hopes of becoming a starter for the Cleveland Browns became much more bleak after the Browns drafted quarterback Brady Quinn
Brady Quinn
Brayden Tyler "Brady" Quinn is an American football quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. Quinn was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame.-Early Years:Brayden Tyler "Brady" Quinn was born on...
of the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
with the 22nd overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft
2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
. Charlie Frye, Derek Anderson, Quinn and Dorsey battled for position on the Browns' QB depth chart throughout the 2007 NFL Pre-season. On September 1, 2007 the Browns released Dorsey. After a disappointing loss to Pittsburgh in Week 1, Frye was traded to Seattle and Dorsey was re-signed by the Browns in a reserve role. Derek Anderson had a break-through season in 2007, further diminishing the chances of Dorsey receiving playing time.
On November 30, 2008, Dorsey was sent in to the game against the Indianapolis Colts after Derek Anderson was injured; he made two passes, one incomplete the other an interception.
On December 2, Derek Anderson was put on injured reserve ending his season. Dorsey was named the starter for the remainder of the 2008 season. However, Dorsey was injured during the December 21st game that was against the Bengals. Fourth string QB Bruce Gradkowski
Bruce Gradkowski
Bruce Raymond Gradkowski is an American Football quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft after playing college football at Toledo.Gradkowski has previously been a member of the Tampa...
started in place of Dorsey in week 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Dorsey was released by the Browns on February 9, 2009.
For a brief time, Dorsey was the quarterbacks coach for the Lakewood Ranch Mustang's high school football team in Lakewood Ranch, Florida
Lakewood Ranch, Florida
Lakewood Ranch is an unincorporated master planned community in southeastern Manatee County, Florida, United States, built on part of what was once a timber ranch owned by members of Milwaukee's Uihlein family. It is part of the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. On April 26, 2011 he was named offensive coordinator at nearby Riverview High School (Sarasota, Florida)
Riverview High School (Sarasota, Florida)
Riverview High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school in Sarasota, Florida, United States. Riverview educates students from ninth grade to twelfth grade. The school has 2,654 students and 161 teachers...
.
Toronto Argonauts
On May 26, 2010 Dorsey signed with the Toronto ArgonautsToronto Argonauts
The Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
, where he backed up former Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
QB Cleo Lemon
Cleo Lemon
Cleo "Cleonardo" Lemon, Jr. is a Canadian football quarterback in the Canadian Football League who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the Toronto Argonauts. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
. On May 3, 2011, Dorsey announced his retirement from professional football.