John Michael Dorsey (born August 30, 1960) is an American football executive and former player, who most recently served as the General Manager of the Kansas City Chiefs in the National Football League from the 2013 season through the 2016 season. He is a former National Football League player for the Green Bay Packers, and later served, for two decades, in the Packers' Scouting Department, including Director of College Scouting from 2000-2012. He served as the Seattle Seahawks Director of Player Personnel in 1999, between two stints in Green Bay's Front Office.
College career
Dorsey was a four-year starter at linebacker for the University of Connecticut Huskies, being twice named Yankee Conference Defensive Player of the Year as well as an NCAA Division I-AA All-American honors.
Professional career
Green Bay Packers
Dorsey was a 4th round pick by the Green Bay Packers in the 1984 NFL Draft. He played five seasons for Green Bay at linebacker and on special teams. His thirty-five special teams tackles for the Packers in 1984 is still a team record.
Dorsey spent the 1989 season on the injured reserve list after suffering a knee injury during pre-game warmups of the Packers regular season opener, effectively ending his playing days. He totaled 130 tackles and two fumble recoveries during his five-year career.
Administrative career
Green Bay Packers
After his playing career ended, Dorsey chose to remain in football, taking a job as a college scout for the Packers in May 1991. He was later promoted to Director of College Scouting for the team in February 1997.
Seattle Seahawks
In January 1999, Dorsey followed former Packers coach Mike Holmgren to the Seattle Seahawks, assuming the role of the team's Director of Player Personnel. Dorsey resigned in 2000.
Second stint with the Packers
In 2000, Dorsey returned to the Packers, taking over again as Director of College Scouting. He remained in that position through 2011, and winning a Super Bowl ring. In 2012, he was named Director of Football Operations. He is credited with making the Packers one of the best drafting teams in the NFL, helping choose star players like Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews and Greg Jennings.
Kansas City Chiefs
On January 13, 2013, Dorsey became the general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs. The move reunited Dorsey with new Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. The pair served on the Green Bay Packers coaching staff together from 1992 to 1997. It had previously been announced that Reid would have the final say in football matters when he came over from Philadelphia, but the Chiefs have since announced that Dorsey will have the same authority over personnel as other NFL general managers. On June 22, 2017 the Chiefs and Dorsey agreed to part ways, effective immediately.
Personal life
Dorsey attended and graduated from St. Mary's High School in Annapolis. He earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Economics from the University of Connecticut.
He and wife Patricia are the parents of three sons and a daughter. The couple first met in Kansas City while Dorsey was on a scouting trip for the Packers. After several years of dating they were married in 2005.
Dorsey has competed in multiple marathon races in addition to being an avid water skier.
Honors
- 1987 - Green Bay Packers "Man of the Year" for civic contributions
- 1998 - Selected to the University of Connecticut 100th Anniversary All-Time Football Team
- 2002 - Inducted into the Anne Arundel County, Maryland Sports Hall of Fame
- 2016 - Inducted into Fork Union Military Academy Sports Hall of Fame
References
