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Quentin Dorsainvil, 17, was a youth athlete in Ottawa who dreamed of playing for the NFL one day.
Published Aug 30, 2025 • 3 minute read
Quentin Dorsainvil's mother, Lordy Examtus, her brother Kevin Mavoungou, and city Coun. Allan Hubley were on hand at the football field Saturday to present the inaugural Quentin Dorsainvil Memorial Football Bursary to Cole Telfer.
Quentin Dorsainvil's mother, Lordy Exantus, her brother Kevin Mavoungou, and city Coun. Allan Hubley were on hand at the football field Saturday to present the inaugural Quentin Dorsainvil Memorial Football Bursary to Cole Telfer. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
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On a cloudy Saturday afternoon, hundreds of children and their parents gathered at Bob Barr Field not only to kick off a new football season, but also to honour a promising young athlete whose life was taken too soon.
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Quentin Dorsainvil, 17, was a football player in Ottawa who dreamed of playing for the NFL one day. He played for the Kanata Knights and transferred to a high school in Florida last year in hopes getting the attention of a college football team.
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But on Sept. 15, 2024, Dorsainvil was shot and killed near the corner of Percy Street and Nepean Street. He and his mother, older brother and two uncles had attended a hip-hop concert at the Bronson Centre before the shooting that night.
Lordy Exantus and her son Quentin Dorsainvil
Lordy Exantus and her son Quentin Dorsainvil. The 17-year-old was killed Sept. 15, 2024 in a shooting. Photo by Supplied
He was back in Ottawa for only a few days to clean up some paperwork. Dorsainvil was set to resume his football career at Miami Central High School later that month.
To date, police have not charged anyone in relation to the incident.
Dorsainvil’s death prompted the Kanata Knights to set up a bursary in his honour. The Quentin Dorsainvil Memorial Football Bursary aims to “recognize an outstanding member of the football community who demonstrates exceptional dedication, leadership and community spirit,” according to a news release.
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Cole Telfer received the inaugural bursary in a ceremony Saturday afternoon. Telfer will be attending the University of Ottawa this fall in the Bachelor of Arts program.
Cole Telfer
Seventeen-year-old Cole Telfer was awarded the inaugural Quentin Dorsainvil Memorial Football Bursary during the Kanata Knights’ home opener on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
“I was really happy because Quentin meant a lot to me. Losing him was hard. It was hard for everyone. It’s hard for the team, hard for the community. … It was bigger than just Kanata Knights football. It was the whole community,” Telfer told the Ottawa Citizen.
“I want to remember how kind he was. He walked into the room and made everyone feel good. He made you smile and made you laugh. He is missed and everyone still thinks about him. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of him.”
Lordy Exantus, Dorsainvil’s mother, expressed pride and gratitude for the bursary set up in her son’s memory.
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“I felt so proud about Quentin. He is an inspiration for young people, and it’s very touching for me and my family to see how Kanata Knights can still keep Quentin’s spirit alive,” she said.
“I’m feeling sad and happy both at the same time. Last year, I came to that field to see my brother’s kids playing football and every time I pass, I can say it’s Quentin’s field here. There are a lot of memories.
Quentin Dorsainvil's mother, Lordy Exantus, and her brother Kevin Mavoungou
Quentin Dorsainvil’s mother, Lordy Exantus, and her brother Kevin Mavoungou were at the football field Saturday to present the inaugural bursary to Cole Telfer. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
“Thank you to the Kanata Knights for doing this for Quentin.”
Kevin Mavoungou, Dorsainvil’s uncle, said his family received a lot of support after the shooting.
“Today is a special day and it means a lot for our family. I would like to thank all Kanata Knights families and football families around the city, and to all people who put together hands, prayer, support. Losing a child, there are no words to describe this type of situation,” Mavoungou said.
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“I have a message for the city. We want our streets and our city safe. For these young guys, it was just a random incident. They went outside and never came back, which is so hurtful. No one can accept these situations.
“Thank you everyone who gave us a lot of strength to go through this situation.”
Kanata South ward Coun. Allan Hubley, who presented the award, said the bursary provides young people with a lot of financial opportunities and the committee had a tough time deciding who should get it.
“That’s a testament to the Kanata Knights organization, that they have many great young people involved,” he said.
“The Kanata Knights is a great organization. It provides a lot of support and training and encouragement to young people, and we need that. Anything to support the Knights, I support.”
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