John Beam, a longtime football coach who was featured on the Netflix show “Last Chance U,” has tragically passed away at the age of 66, the Associated Press reports, citing the Oakland Police Department.
This comes after an incident Beam was involved in on the Laney College campus on Thursday, Nov. 13.
“We are devastated that John Beam, our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, coach, mentor, and friend has passed. Our hearts are full from the outpouring of love and support from all who cared about him. We are deeply grateful for your continued prayers, well wishes, and thoughts,â his family said in a statement that was read by the police.
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and his granddaughters.
John Beam’s Former Players Pay Tribute
Rejzohn Wright and his brother Nahshon both shared messages on their Instagram stories following the news.
“You mean the world to me,” Rejzohn, who plays for the New Orleans Saints, wrote, and included numerous photos alongside his former coach.
Nahshon, who is a member of the Chicago Bears, also shared a series of photos with his coach.
“Keep fighting. Keep praying Jesus is King always put your hands on Beam please!!!!,” ex-NFL player C.J. Anderson wrote to his former coach, following it up with a heartbreak emoji after news of his passing was confirmed.
Many others sent well-wishes to the coach after the initial incident that left him in critical condition in the hospital.
“Coach John Beam was the best of us. After all the work he put in over 4 decades, all the unpaid assistance he – and his family – provided to those in need, his murder is a massive tragedy and a colossal loss to the greater Oakland community. So irrational and so infuriating,” NBC Sports Bay Area columnist Monte Poole posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
John Beam’s Legacy
Beam is known for his contributions, helping players on and off the field during his career, specifically at both Laney College and Skyline High School.
At Skyline High School he had a 160-33-3 overall record. Beam then joined Laney in 2004, serving as the running backs coach before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2005 and then head coach in 2012. Beam led the team to two league titles during his tenure leading the team, having also gone to four bowl games. He was currently serving as the athletic director.
According to his biography on the school’s website, Beam sent “more than 100 football players to the Division 1 level,” along with having “produced over 20 NFL players including 7 players that participated in the Super Bowl.”
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