Tommy Reamon, Sr., 73, Requiem For Beloved Coach

By Glen Mason
Special to the New Journal and Guide
NORFOLK

Tommy Reamon, Sr. is one of those impactful humans one is fortunate to meet in a lifetime, a man wise beyond his years. Even in his halcyon days, one could foresee Reamon leaving a legacy that would continue to bless others for generations. It is as if he could clone his leadership methods and guide young men, coaches, and colleagues who, in their inimitable way, would continue his “process.”

Reamon once said, “You study, develop a plan, implement it, and with faith and discipline, you’re prepared for success.”

When Reamon was called to a higher calling on May 22, he left a legacy that will help others for generations. Some people are born to lead. Coach Reamon is one of them. By extension, better yet, by his tutelage, he developed an aspiring coach named Michael Vick, who has already changed the football culture at Norfolk State University.

Tommy Reamon is highly regarded for developing dual-threat quarterbacks. His industry standards remain: Aaron Brooks, Michael Vick, Marcus Vick, and Tommy Reamon, Jr., not to mention creating an offense and plays popular in today’s game, be it high school, college, or pro.

“It’s a process,” Tommy explained to me.

“It takes discipline, study, work; people don’t see you putting in. There aren’t any shortcuts when you’re leading men, and on the field, as in life, you work and prepare twice as hard and lead by example.”

Empowered with a winning smile, sincerity, and a passion for expanding horizons, Tommy said he was prepared to work as hard as he could to benefit others; as a young man, he was about setting goals beyond the gridiron and being a sponge for learning to be your true self. He would be the first to confess that he knew excelling in sports would be the means of obtaining a college education and a foot in a door seldom open before integration.

Athletes of his generation were kindred spirits in that regard.

As a high school star in Newport News, Tommy first hit the New Journal and Guide sports pages as a running back at Carver of Newport News. According to the late Guide sports editor and columnist Cal Jacox, he had speed and was tough to bring down because of sheer leg strength and will. Carver competed in the old Virginia Inter-scholastic Association before the VHSL absorbed it.

Reamon was a Sunkist Magazine All-American running back as a senior at Carver High School in Newport News. He excelled in basketball, baseball, and track and field as a four-letterman. According to VIA records archived at Virginia State University, Reamon rushed for over 1000 yards and scored 20 touchdowns to help his team to a 9-0-1 record in 1970. He headed to college, first at Fort Scott Junior College, where he was the top offensive junior college football player in 1971 and ’72. He enrolled in the University of Missouri and was the Tigers’ top rusher in his junior and senior years. He played in the upstart World Football League for two seasons, winning the MVP award in 1974. Reamon also played in the NFL and the Canadian Football League. He returned to Hampton Roads to teach and coach following years as a Hollywood actor.

I met Tommy when he was trying out for the World Football League in 1974 when invited to train with him, Ron Bolton, the player rep for the New England Patriots and the Cleveland Browns, and Ray Jarvis of the Buffalo Bills. Both starred at Norfolk State and trained in Hamptons Roads during the off-season.

Ironically, before his illness, Reamon was a consultant to the current Norfolk State University football staff headed by coach Michael Vick. The epitome of a head coach,  Reamon led football programs at Ferguson, Warwick, Gloucester, Landstown, and Denbigh high schools, winning almost 200 games.

In 1975, Reamon opted out of pro football, joining pro football players turned actors Jim Brown, Fred Williamson, and Bernie Casey.   His first role wasn’t type-casting. Tommy was born to play Peter Dent’s character, running back Delma Huddle, who took one “for the team” in Dent’s bestselling novel turned movie “North Dallas Forty.” It led to a starring role along with Burt Reynolds and Kristopherson. The movie was a hit in 1979, leading to more roles for Reamon. Tommy also won roles in ABC’s television series Charlie Angels, The Fall Guy, and Quincy on NBC.

Reamon’s sons, Tommy, Jr., and CJ, will indubitably continue their father’s legacy. Then there are his “other sons, his “boys,” referring to Brooks, Michael Vick, and Marcus Vick. They are followed by an extended family of players, current and past, coaches he has mentored who will miss his counsel … and love.

He gave them everything he could to help them succeed. Even a novice sports writer back in the day. Coach Reamon’s legacy lives on.