Tommy Reamon, a high school football coach, passed away at 73 on May 22, 2025. He suffered a stroke in March and was hospitalized for nearly two months.
He was married to Cheryl Reamon, and the heartbreaking news was shared on social media by his son, Tommy Reamon Jr.
Tommy began playing football at the George Washington Carver High School. He was named a two-time National Junior College All-American and offensive player of the year at Fort Scott Junior College.
He was inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame in 1998 for leading Fort Scott to NJCAA National Championship games twice, winning once. Later, he joined the University of Missouri as a running back.
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected him in the 1974 NFL draft and the Florida Blazers in the World Football League’s College Draft.
As a member of the Blazers, he was named one of the league’s MVPs and led his team to the first and only World Bowl game, coming up short against the Birmingham Americans 22-21.
Afterward, he joined the Steelers in 1975 and also played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the CFL in 1977.
Tommy coached at the Newport News Public Schools for a couple of years before coaching at Ferguson High School and Warwick High School.
He became the head coach of Landstown High School in April 2008 and Denbigh High School in 2023. He retired from coaching in December 2024.
His tragic demise saddened the whole football community and many remembered him in their heartfelt condolence.
Tommy Reamon (March 12, 1952 ― May 22, 2025 was an American professional football player, actor, and educator in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. As a high school football coach, Reamon has had notable success developing talent to become collegiate and professional football players among his students.
Carver High School Trojans – Newport News
Tommy Was A Devoted Husband To Dr. Cheryl Reamon, Senior Pastor Of New Hope Christian Church
She stood by his side as they built a life rooted in love, service, and community. They inspired countless individuals through their commitment to faith, family, and empowerment.
Moreover, Tommy’s family will forever cherish his infectious laugh, his wisdom, and the way he could light up a room without even trying.
Though his physical presence is gone, his spirit lives on in the values he instilled, the lives he transformed, and the love he shared.
We are saddened to say my father, Coach Tommy Reamon, Sr., transitioned early this morning.
Coach Reamon
It’s hard to put into words what this loss means. My dad wasn’t just my father – he was my hero, my biggest supporter, and my blueprint for what it means to lead, love, and serve with purpose. To so many, he was a Coach Reamon – a mentor, a motivator, a life-changer. But to me, he was simply Dad. And being his son has been one of the greatest honors of my life.
His wife, Cheryl, and kids, Tommy Reamon Jr., Steven Forrest Jr., Michael Cunningham, Willie Cunningham, and Ace Cunningham, survive him.
The Reamon family will soon announce his celebration of life.
They vow to honor his legacy by carrying on his mission—empowering youth, strengthening communities, and living with the same passion and purpose that defined his extraordinary life.
Tommy Reamon’s Family Mourns The Tragic Loss
The Hampton Roads community and beyond are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Tommy Reamon, a beloved professional football player, actor, educator, and mentor.
He was a pillar of strength and inspiration who touched countless lives through his unwavering dedication to sports, education, and faith.
Tommy’s family, friends, and the many lives he shaped mourn his loss while celebrating his extraordinary legacy.
He was more than an athlete. He was a visionary who believed in the power of potential.
Born and raised in Newport News, Virginia, he rose to prominence as a professional football player before transitioning into coaching, acting, and youth development.
His coaching legacy includes shaping the careers of NFL stars such as Michael Vick and Aaron Brooks.
But beyond the accolades, his true gift was his ability to see greatness in others before they saw it in themselves.
His greatest passion was nurturing talent, both on and off the field. He dedicated his life to mentoring young athletes, guiding them in sports, college recruitment, media, and personal development at City On My Chest Sports Academy (COMCSA).
Rest in Power, Coach Tommy Reamon. Your lessons live on.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Tommy Reamon was born on March 12, 1952, in Newport News, Virginia.
- He was an actor famous for his role as Delma Huddle in the 1979 movie North Dallas Forty.
- He holds the WFL records for most rushing yards in a game (189), Season (1576) and in the World Bowl (83).
