Today marks the one year death of Oregon defensive back Todd Doxey. Doxey died last summer after a swimming accident on the McKenzie River next to the University of Oregon campus.
Doxey's impact is noted by the fact that Rivals.com featured a story about Todd 8 weeks after his death, it was also the featured story for a week on the Yahoo! homepage. Last year, a different Oregon player wore his "29" jersey each week until the Ducks ended the season with a win at the Holiday Bowl in San Diego, Doxey's hometown.
Doxey was an amazing athlete, student, and person. He ranked No.2 in the San Diego Section for receiving yards at 2,669 and as a Safety always seemed to get a pick whenever he desired. Although it was Doxey's abilities at Safety that caught the attention of many Division I programs, in basketball Todd helped the Hoover Cardinals to their first section basketball title in 44 years during the 2006 season. He meant a lot to the school, reviving a basketball program as well as earning respectability for a football program that went (0-10) and (0-9-1) prior to Todd's enrollment.
More so than being the talent that the Cardinals needed, Doxey brought character, humility, and respect to the team and school. A team that saw receivers with T.O. like personalities ruin team chemistry and that also ran themselves out of college football. Hoover's most touted player before Doxey was Ellis Jones, a two-way player who went on to play cornerback for San Jose State. After two seasons, Jones was arrested on armed robbery charges for his Craigslist robberies.
Doxey was filled with talent and had a bright future. This past year, Oregon Safety Patrick Chung was selected 34th overall in the draft by the New England Patriots. Cornerback Jairus Byrd followed at 42nd overall to the Buffalo Bills. Doxey was suppose to back-up Chung last season and start this upcoming season. Under the tutelage of Chung, coupled with playing alongside Byrd and a talented secondary, Doxey had the talent, opportunity, and potential to be a first or second rounder during the 2011 NFL Draft (he of course would stay to complete his degree).
In comparison to the recent passing of NFL Quarterback Steve McNair, Doxey as a 19 year-old, with one season of college football had 3,000 people attend his memorial, exceeding capacity. McNair played 13 NFL seasons as well as 4 seasons at Alcorn State University and had 8,000 people attend his memorial. The comparisons not only show how beloved Doxey was in the San Diego community as well as on campus with the Ducks, but also that his reach had as much impact as McNair's did in only 19 years.
On a wall inside the Hoover gym is Todd Doxey’s retired No. 9 football jersey, the only football jersey ever retired in the school's history, a history that recently included second round NFL Quarterback Tony Banks. It serves as a constant reminder of how much he meant to the Cardinals’ athletics program and how high in esteem he is held at the school which also serves as Ted Williams' alma mater.
R.I.P T.D.
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