BIG MAN, BIG HEART: Dorsey to start foundation

Children and adults, many sporting LSU paraphernalia, waited in line Saturday morning to get their picture taken with or an autograph from Gonzales’ two-time collegiate football All-American and National Champion.

It was worth the wait when Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey was at the other end of the line.

Dorsey participated in the Community Opportunities of East Ascension Family Fun Day to raise disability awareness because his mother, Sandra, is a long-time employee of COEA.

“My mom works at COEA and I wanted to do anything I could to help the special needs people,” Dorsey said. “I grew up over there. My mom has been working there since as long as I can remember and I always go over there. They are my family, friends and fans and they always support me no matter what. Anything I can do to help them, I am all for it.”

Dorsey, who will enter his second season with the Chiefs, also announced that he is in the process of starting a foundation.

“It is in the works,” Dorsey said. “I have a dream big foundation. Every year I am going to pick a group of people to help out at either Christmas, Thanksgiving or even medical related. It is in the works now. I am going to get it started next year.”

Dorsey said the foundation will be called the Dream Bigger Foundation. It will be similar to those of New England Patriots defensive end Jarvis Green, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Bradie James and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who all have ties to the south Louisiana area.

Green, a Donaldsonville native, played for Donaldsonville High and LSU. James also played at LSU.

“In the position that we are in, it is our responsibility to give back and help out people who are not as fortunate as we are,” Dorsey said. “Anything I can do to put a smile on somebody’s face, I feel like it is my duty in the position that I am in.

“I enjoy it when I come home, and I want to give back to my community,” he said.

Dorsey was the fifth overall pick by the Chiefs in last year’s draft. Kansas City went 2-14 in his rookie season as he recorded 46 tackles and one sack after recording 67 tackles and 7.5 sacks in his senior season at LSU during the Tigers’ 2007 National Championship season. 

“The game speed – everything is the same,” Dorsey said. “It is just people are a lot smarter and everybody is good. Everybody is good in college but you are better than a lot of them. In the pros, everybody is the best at what they do so it is an every day challenge to come out and try to win.”

The Chiefs will enter this season with a new head coach in Todd Haley.

“I feel good about it,” Dorsey said. “I feel like we are going to have a better team, we are going to win more games and it is going to be a good year in Kansas City.”

Dorsey, a graduate of East Ascension, said he needs to complete three classes to earn a degree from LSU, which he lists as a priority.

“I have to go back,” Dorsey said. “It is always important to get a degree. If football doesn’t work out, that is for after football. Anything that you do, you are going to need that degree. It is one of my priorities to go back and finish.”

Dorsey admitted that after growing up in Gonzales and attending LSU, which is a short drive away in Baton Rouge, living in Kansas City during the season is different.

“I am here for the off-season,’ Dorsey said. “I stay in Baton Rouge but I am back and forth from here every day. I have to go back to Kansas City Monday to talk to my coaches, but while I am down here, I am enjoying my family and friends.

“It is different. I felt like I was at home at LSU but you have to grow up and become a man. You don’t have your mom or dad there to run to. I’ve got to do what I have to do to take care of business.”

Dorsey credits his mother as being his inspiration.

“We are best friends – for real,” Dorsey said. “She provided for me my whole life. She sacrificed a lot for me and we have a special type of relationship. I tell her everything and she tells me everything. It is special. Everybody is not fortunate to have that. I know it is a special relationship and that is why I am out here supporting her.”

Dorsey hopes his foundation will allow someone else to dream big.

“I am living mine,” Dorsey said.