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It was supposed to be a fun and relaxing day for the Oregon Duck football squad. A tradition that takes place every year, members of the team take a trip to McKenzie River to go floating for the day...

Remembering Todd Doxey: 1989-2008

by Ben Weixlmann (Senior Writer)

27

2138 reads

Opinion

September 02, 2008


It was supposed to be a fun and relaxing day for the Oregon Duck football squad. A tradition that takes place every year, members of the team take a trip to McKenzie River to go floating for the day.

Just eight weeks ago, though, that tradition turned into tradegy. Todd Doxey, 19, died after drowning in the river.

The Oregon football community, as well as everyone that knew Doxey, was stunned. Doxey, who redshirted last year, was expected to see significant playing time, even in the loaded secondary of All-American and All Pac-10 performers.

Unfortunately, Doxey never got to see any game action. He promised his grandmother that one day he would run out of the tunnel in Autzen Stadium, and feel the rush that came along with playing football for the Ducks.

Instead, Doxey was laid to rest in front of 3,000 people who wished to share their prayers with his family.

Just as his relatives had promised, though, they were in Eugene, Oregon for the Ducks home opener against the Washington Huskies, but nothing could take their minds off the real reason they made the trip: to see the McKenzie River.

Doxey wore No. 29, and as a tribute to his fallen teammate and friend, All-American safety Patrick Chung donned that number in the Washington game. Chung isn't the only player who will wear the jersey this year. In fact, each week, a new Duck will get the honor to place that No. 29 green and gold jersey across their chest.

One of the brightest and most capable students on the entire Oregon roster, Doxey came from a beat-up neighborhood to post a 3.5 GPA at his first year in Eugene.

Aside from football, Todd's life was all about community service. He met with children with disabilities, but also made sure he stayed in touch with those back in his native San Diego.

For what his grandmother described as a miraculous journey from the streets to FBS football, it's all too sad to think that Doxey's dream of not only playing in front of the Duck faithful, but also donning a business suit and tie will never be realized.

Chung, the first to wear his No. 29, was also the first to make contact with the Ducks' coaching staff to relay the horrific news. When secondary coach John Neal hesistantly asked what the nature of Doxey's accident was, Chung could only respond, "It is really bad."

Random witnesses began giving Doxey CPR until the ambulance arrived, but according to the doctors, Doxey was essentially dead in the water.

It was a fateful day, but this season, the Ducks are playing their hearts out for Doxey. This bunch of players will never forget Todd, and his charasmatic nature.

These players will take this season by one short motto, "T.D. RIP".

 

Many facts and stories from this article were originally written and researched by Jason King, a college football writer for Yahoo! Sports. If you would like to see his article, here it is: Oregon works to honor Doxey as season opens

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27 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. David Nethers 10 months ago

    Very fine tribute. Very tastefully done. Thanks for the heads up. Im sure his family would appreciate the column.

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    • Ben Weixlmann 10 months ago

      Yeah, I'm trying to find a way to send it to them if you could help me with that endeavor, it would be greatly appreciated!

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  2. Lisa Horne 10 months ago

    I talked to Patrick Chung about this tragedy at Pac-10 media day, and clearly, the team was devastated about this tragedy. It still affects them. Bellotti looked like he was still tearing up over it- very sad. Nice tribute.

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    • Ben Weixlmann 10 months ago

      Thanks for the "insider" news, Lise. I know I can always count on you to give some good info :). I just sent a message to a friend, Jairus Byrd, who plays in the Oregon secondary. As soon as I hear back from him, I'll add in his remarks.

      Thanks as always-

      BW

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  3. Alan Bass 10 months ago

    Great job, Ben, it was a great tribute to him

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  4. Thomas 10 months ago

    great tribute ben. God help his family in this time of trouble.

    5 starz & POTD.

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  5. Andrew Mason 10 months ago

    Very Nice Tribute. It is always sad to see this kind of thing happen to a very young man who worked so hard to get there. 5 Stars and POTD.

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    • Ben Weixlmann 10 months ago

      Thanks, Mason! I can't even imagine what the emotions were like on Saturday when Doxey's family showed up for a pregame video show.

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  6. Cameron Jerde 10 months ago

    what a great article, ben
    i wrote one on todd doxey awhile back, it still has no comments on it
    it's nice to know that at least someone is getting credit for writing about doxey, god how we will miss him

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  7. Michael Blankenship 10 months ago

    A sad loss indeed. Todd Doxey will be greatly missed, not only by his teammates and the entire U of O student body, he will be missed by the community he lived in and made better by his being there, as well.

    My condolences go out to the entire Doxey family and their friends in this time of loss.

    God speed, Todd Doxey, God speed...

    Peace

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    • Ben Weixlmann 10 months ago

      Godspeed, Indeed. Doxey will definitely not only be missed for his football talents, but more importantly, for what he did off the field.

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  8. Jeremy Merrill 10 months ago

    I was a teacher of Todd Doxey at his High School in San Diego. He was (and continues to be) a source of inspiration for just about everyone who met him. If you want to get in touch with his family, just check on Myspace and search for his name...then check his top friends. I got in touch with several of his extended family that way after he passed.

    Thank you for helping to keep his story and his deeds alive.

    Peace.

    J. Merrill
    San Diego, CA

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    • Ben Weixlmann 10 months ago

      Mr. Merrill,

      I greatly appreciate you extending your thanks. Knowing a player at Oregon, it meant a lot to me to cover this story and make a tribute to Doxey. Thanks once again.

      BW

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  9. Timothy Croley 10 months ago

    Ben, great article and tribute here. Great job bringing it together.

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  10. Zander Freund 10 months ago

    Such a sad story—thanks for the dignified tribute Ben.

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    • Ben Weixlmann 10 months ago

      Thank you, Zander. I really hate having to write these kinds of pieces, but I felt it was appropriate to tell Doxey's story.

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  11. Cody Blubaugh 10 months ago

    Very good Job Ben, this just should not happen. Too much life left to live. Again, great job.

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    • Ben Weixlmann 10 months ago

      Thanks for the comment, Cody. This news was probably so hard to stomach...wow.

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    • Cody Blubaugh 10 months ago

      Exactly why sometimes we all need to step back and take a long hard look at how seriously we take these games. It's just a game, we need our priorities straightened sometimes.

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    • Ben Weixlmann 10 months ago

      Absolutely. Sports are my life, through and through, but it's reminders like this that make you realize that sports are just a small portion of your life.

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  12. de johnson 10 months ago

    rip todd doxey u already know what going to happend this week home opener against matera dai yo little bro deontray johnson going to get off for you. i remember them long practice as a somphmore and me wanting to quit but u wouldnt let.

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  13. Pete Treperinas 9 months ago

    wonderful article.

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