JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Sports fans across the First Coast are mourning the loss of former Terry Parker coach Charron Dorsey Sr. Dorsey's sudden death on Monday sent shockwaves through the community.
Dorsey was a standout football player at Bolles where he earned three first-team 4A all-state honors.
Dorsey played his college ball at Florida State where he earned first-team all-acc honors his senior year.
In 2001, the Dallas Cowboys drafted Dorsey in the 7th round but Dorsey's true passion was coaching and mentoring.
During his stints as head coach at Matthew Gilbert, Andrew Jackson and Terry Parker, the man nicknamed 'Big Red' shaped the lives of so many young men.
His childhood friend Joe Mitchell spent the final two days with Dorsey before his death. Mitchell says Dorsey was recovering from a stroke and was thankful for having a second chance at life.
Mitchell says when he dropped Dorsey off Monday night, he told Dorsey he loved him.
"After i helped get him out of the car, I told him I love you, man. He was like I love you more. I said I'm my brother's keeper and he said no doubt, I know you are," Mitchell said.
Mitchell says on his 30-minute drive back home he received a phone call from Dorsey’s son, CJ, telling him to get to the hospital as soon as possible.
"So, once I got there CJ was already in the emergency room just crying, saying no my daddy gone," Mitchell said.
His friend of more than 30 years had passed.
“The most I'm going to miss is them I love you texts. When a man gives you your flowers before he leaves man that's different. The conversation I had with him Monday it was really all about me. It wasn't about him. He appreciated what I did for him and his son. I'm going to miss him. I'm going to miss his smile. I'm going to miss that 6’7 giant," said Mitchell.
A friend Mitchell says loved and gave all he had in just 45 years of life.
“A legend, kind-hearted, a big teddy bear, who liked to see other smiles. Made sure the kids who played for him knew they had a father as a head coach," said Mitchell.
Mitchell added Dorsey's death has reminded him that you have to live your life to the fullest.
Dorsey was a standout football player at Matthew Gilbert, Bolles, Florida State and he played in the NFL.
He also coached at Matthew Gilbert, Andrew Jackson and Terry Park. Dorsey leaves behind a wife and two kids.