Tommy Reamon
Encyclopedia
Thomas Waverly "Tommy" Reamon (born March 12, 1952) is a retired African-American professional football player, who has worked as an actor
, and is currently an educator
in the Hampton Roads
region of Virginia
. As a high school football
coach, Reamon has had some notable success in developing talent to become collegiate and professional football players among his students.
, class of 1970, and went on to be a running back at the University of Missouri
. He was drafted in 1974 by the Pittsburgh Steelers
of the NFL, and by the Florida Blazers in the World Football League
's College Draft. Reamon was selected in round 23 by the Blazers. Reamon went on to stardom in the World Football League, and was named one of the league's Tri- MVP's in 1974 as a member of the Blazers. He help lead Florida to the first and only World Bowl
game coming up short against the Birmingham Americans
22-21. A year later, he joined the Jacksonville Express of the WFL. After the WFL folded in 1975, Reamon joined the Pittsburgh Steelers
. He scored a touchdown for the Steelers in the last game ever played between the NFL Super Bowl Champions and College All-Stars. During the 1976 pre-season the Steelers traded Reamon to the Kansas City Chiefs
. Tommy Reamon holds the WFL records for most rushing yards in a game (189), Season (1576) and in the World Bowl (83). He gained a total of 450 yards from scrimmage and scored five touchdowns in 1976 for the Kansas City Chiefs. Reamon would go on to play for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
in the CFL
in 1977 after a failed try out for the Chicago Bears who were coached by former Blazers Head Coach Jack Pardee
. While with the Bears during the 1977 pre-season, Reamon played in the NFC-AFC Hall of Fame game against the New York Jets
. After the 1977 CFL season, he had a tryout for the Washington Redskins
in 1978 and again played under his former WFL Florida Blazers Head Coach, Jack Pardee. Although Reamon was the leading rusher during the 1978 pre-season the Redskins cut Tommy Reamon.
, and appeared in several episodes of the TV series Charlie's Angels
between 1978 and 1982. He also appeared on episodes of Quincy and Fall Guy.
for a number of years. He was at Ferguson High School
until it was closed during a building modernization program in 1996. He then moved to Warwick High School
.
From 2006 until early 2008, Tommy Reamon was employed coaching high school football at Gloucester High School
in Gloucester County
in the Virginia
's Middle Peninsula
region at the northern edge of Hampton Roads.
At Gloucester High School, Coach Reamon's son Tommy Jr. was considered among the rising football stars with collegiate potential, according to observers. Tommy Reamon Jr. subsequently selected Old Dominion University
in Norfolk
where he is playing for the Monarchs.
In April, 2008, it was announced that Reamon had accepted a position with Virginia Beach City Public Schools
as Head Football coach at Landstown High School
in Virginia Beach
. The Landstown Eagles team went 5-5 the prior season. He will replace Steve Canter, who resigned March 18, 2008, after two seasons to accept a job on Pete Adrian’s staff at Norfolk State University
.
s Aaron Brooks and Michael Vick
. He also coached Marcus Vick
, Michael's younger brother. Reamon assisted Brooks with his transition to the University of Virginia
, and later, each of the Vick brothers at Virginia Tech, where they each received full scholarships.
After graduating from UVA. Brooks played for the Green Bay Packers
; the New Orleans Saints
, where he was the starting quarterback for six years; and the Oakland Raiders
, and is currently a free agent. In 2008, he announced plans to invest in a redevelopment project in the economically depressed East End area of his hometown of Newport News. Earlier in 2008, he announced plans to invest in Southeast Commerce Center, a redevelopment project his hometown of Newport News
. The multimillion-dollar investment will be a mixed-use development with 190 town houses, a grocery store and retail offerings. Brooks commented to Newport News Daily Press: "It's a great opportunity to give back to the community...a lot of hard-working, middle-class people that live in the area. I'm just trying to make the area better for them."
Neither of the Vick brothers completed their scholarships at Virginia Tech. Michael Vick left Virginia Tech early to declare for the 2001 NFL Draft
. He was a popular star quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons
during the 2001-2006 seasons, and was one of the highest paid NFL players with lucrative product endorsement deals before his federal felony
conviction in 2007 relating to an intrastate dog fighting
ring. Suspended by the NFL, he served a year and a half in federal prison time in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and awaiting trial on several state felony charges in Surry County, Virginia
after his release. He has filed bankruptcy. In a hearing on August 29, 2008, he told the bankruptcy court that his representatives are talking to the NFL on his behalf about a return to football, but that he does not know what his earning potential is. The Norfolk Virginian-Pilot quoted him as stating: "My plan is to go back into playing football.". He was later reinstated to the NFL in late July and signed by the Philadelphia Eagles
in mid-August serving as a back-up to Donavan Mcnabb.
Marcus Vick was expelled from Virginia Tech after multiple criminal incidents and incidents of bad sportsmanship, and an earlier suspension by university officials. He was an undrafted free agent who became was a reserve player with the Miami Dolphins
for a year (2006–2007), and as of 2008, was currently a free agent. As of June 2008, he was also waiting trial on multiple charges including involving eluding police and driving while intoxicated stemming from an incident in Norfolk, Virginia
.
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, and is currently an educator
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
in the Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads is the name for both a body of water and the Norfolk–Virginia Beach metropolitan area which surrounds it in southeastern Virginia, United States...
region of Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. As a high school football
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
coach, Reamon has had some notable success in developing talent to become collegiate and professional football players among his students.
Collegiate, professional football
Reamon came out of the George Washington Carver High School, Newport News, VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, class of 1970, and went on to be a running back at the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
. He was drafted in 1974 by the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
of the NFL, and by the Florida Blazers in the World Football League
World Football League
The World Football League was a short-lived gridiron football league that played in 1974 and part of 1975. Although the league's proclaimed ambition was to bring American football onto a worldwide stage, the farthest the WFL reached was placing a team – the Hawaiians – in Honolulu, Hawaii. The...
's College Draft. Reamon was selected in round 23 by the Blazers. Reamon went on to stardom in the World Football League, and was named one of the league's Tri- MVP's in 1974 as a member of the Blazers. He help lead Florida to the first and only World Bowl
World Bowl (WFL)
The World Bowl, also known as World Bowl 1, was the American football championship game of the short-lived World Football League. It was televised on TVS Television Network....
game coming up short against the Birmingham Americans
Birmingham Americans
The Birmingham Americans were a professional American football team located in Birmingham, Alabama. They were members of the four-team Central Division of the World Football League . The Americans, founded in late December 1973, played in the upstart league's inaugural season in 1974...
22-21. A year later, he joined the Jacksonville Express of the WFL. After the WFL folded in 1975, Reamon joined the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
. He scored a touchdown for the Steelers in the last game ever played between the NFL Super Bowl Champions and College All-Stars. During the 1976 pre-season the Steelers traded Reamon to the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
. Tommy Reamon holds the WFL records for most rushing yards in a game (189), Season (1576) and in the World Bowl (83). He gained a total of 450 yards from scrimmage and scored five touchdowns in 1976 for the Kansas City Chiefs. Reamon would go on to play for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
in the CFL
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
in 1977 after a failed try out for the Chicago Bears who were coached by former Blazers Head Coach Jack Pardee
Jack Pardee
-NFL:-External links:...
. While with the Bears during the 1977 pre-season, Reamon played in the NFC-AFC Hall of Fame game against the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. After the 1977 CFL season, he had a tryout for the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
in 1978 and again played under his former WFL Florida Blazers Head Coach, Jack Pardee. Although Reamon was the leading rusher during the 1978 pre-season the Redskins cut Tommy Reamon.
Acting
Reamon went into acting after his football career ended, playing the role of Delma Huddle in the 1979 movie North Dallas FortyNorth Dallas Forty (film)
North Dallas Forty is a 1979 dramatic film starring Nick Nolte, Mac Davis, and G. D. Spradlin. It was directed by Ted Kotcheff and based on the best selling novel by Peter Gent: the screenplay was by Kotcheff, Gent, Frank Yablans and Nancy Dowd ....
, and appeared in several episodes of the TV series Charlie's Angels
Charlie's Angels
Charlie's Angels is a television series about three women who work for a private investigation agency, and is one of the first shows to showcase women in roles traditionally reserved for men...
between 1978 and 1982. He also appeared on episodes of Quincy and Fall Guy.
High school football coach
Reamon coached with the Newport News Public SchoolsNewport News Public Schools
Newport News Public Schools is the branch of the government of Newport News, Virginia that operates the city's system of public schools. , NNPS had an enrollment of 30,568. The district employs about 5,100 people, including 2,685 teachers and teacher assistants.-Organization:Like all public K–12...
for a number of years. He was at Ferguson High School
Homer L. Ferguson High School
Ferguson High School was formerly a high school in Newport News, Virginia, named for Homer L. Ferguson, who was president of Newport News Shipbuilding from July 22, 1915 until July 31, 1946. It was operated by Newport News Public Schools....
until it was closed during a building modernization program in 1996. He then moved to Warwick High School
Warwick High School (Newport News)
Warwick High School is a high school in Newport News, Virginia. Warwick is the oldest of five high schools in the city and has been home to the Newport News Centre for the International Baccalaureate program since 1996. The school's sports teams are known as the Raiders, previously the Farmers...
.
From 2006 until early 2008, Tommy Reamon was employed coaching high school football at Gloucester High School
Gloucester High School (Virginia)
Gloucester High School is a fully accredited public high school located four miles from Gloucester Courthouse in Gloucester County, Virginia, USA. It is operated by Gloucester County Public Schools, a Virginia public school division....
in Gloucester County
Gloucester County, Virginia
Gloucester County is within the Commonwealth of Virginia in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area in the USA. Formed in 1651 in the Virginia Colony, the county was named for Henry Stuart, Duke of Gloucester, third son of King Charles I of Great Britain. Located in the Middle Peninsula region, it...
in the Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
's Middle Peninsula
Middle Peninsula
The Middle Peninsula is the second of three large peninsulas on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay in Virginia, in the United States. It lies between the Northern Neck and the Virginia Peninsula. This peninsula is bounded by the Rappahannock River on the north and the York River on the south...
region at the northern edge of Hampton Roads.
At Gloucester High School, Coach Reamon's son Tommy Jr. was considered among the rising football stars with collegiate potential, according to observers. Tommy Reamon Jr. subsequently selected Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University is a state university located in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools...
in Norfolk
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
where he is playing for the Monarchs.
In April, 2008, it was announced that Reamon had accepted a position with Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Virginia Beach City Public Schools is the branch of the government of the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia responsible for public K-12 education. Like all public school systems in the state, it is legally classified as a school division instead of a school district. Although Virginia school...
as Head Football coach at Landstown High School
Landstown High School
Landstown High School and Technology Academy is a public secondary school located in Virginia Beach, Virginia which first opened in 2001.The school features a Technology Academy, one of several magnet programs in Virginia Beach...
in Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay...
. The Landstown Eagles team went 5-5 the prior season. He will replace Steve Canter, who resigned March 18, 2008, after two seasons to accept a job on Pete Adrian’s staff at Norfolk State University
Norfolk State University
Norfolk State University is a four-year, state-supported, coed, liberal arts, historically black university located in Norfolk, Virginia. It is member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund and the Virginia High-Tech Partnership.-Academics:...
.
Notable players under tutelage
In his tenure with Newport News Public Schools, Coach Reamon was noted for helping develop future NFL quarterbackQuarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
s Aaron Brooks and Michael Vick
Michael Vick
Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...
. He also coached Marcus Vick
Marcus Vick
Marcus Vick is a former college and professional football player. He is the younger brother of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, who also began playing high school football in Newport News Public Schools. After accepting a full scholarship to attend Virginia Tech, Marcus played...
, Michael's younger brother. Reamon assisted Brooks with his transition to the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
, and later, each of the Vick brothers at Virginia Tech, where they each received full scholarships.
After graduating from UVA. Brooks played for the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
; the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
, where he was the starting quarterback for six years; and the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and is currently a free agent. In 2008, he announced plans to invest in a redevelopment project in the economically depressed East End area of his hometown of Newport News. Earlier in 2008, he announced plans to invest in Southeast Commerce Center, a redevelopment project his hometown of Newport News
Newport News, Virginia
Newport News is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia. It is at the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula, on the north shore of the James River extending southeast from Skiffe's Creek along many miles of waterfront to the river's mouth at Newport News...
. The multimillion-dollar investment will be a mixed-use development with 190 town houses, a grocery store and retail offerings. Brooks commented to Newport News Daily Press: "It's a great opportunity to give back to the community...a lot of hard-working, middle-class people that live in the area. I'm just trying to make the area better for them."
Neither of the Vick brothers completed their scholarships at Virginia Tech. Michael Vick left Virginia Tech early to declare for the 2001 NFL Draft
2001 NFL Draft
The 2001 NFL Draft took place on April 21–22, 2001 at the theater at Madison Square Garden, in New York City. This was the 66th National Football League draft in league history. The draft was broadcast on ESPN both days and eventually moved to ESPN2. No teams elected to claim any players in the...
. He was a popular star quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
during the 2001-2006 seasons, and was one of the highest paid NFL players with lucrative product endorsement deals before his federal felony
Felony
A felony is a serious crime in the common law countries. The term originates from English common law where felonies were originally crimes which involved the confiscation of a convicted person's land and goods; other crimes were called misdemeanors...
conviction in 2007 relating to an intrastate dog fighting
Dog fighting
Dog fighting is a form of blood sport in which game dogs are made to fight, sometimes to the death. It is illegal in most developed countries. Dog fighting is used for entertainment and may also generate revenue from stud fees, admission fees and gambling....
ring. Suspended by the NFL, he served a year and a half in federal prison time in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and awaiting trial on several state felony charges in Surry County, Virginia
Surry County, Virginia
As of the census of 2010, there were 7,058 people, 2,619 households, and 1,917 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile . There were 3,294 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile...
after his release. He has filed bankruptcy. In a hearing on August 29, 2008, he told the bankruptcy court that his representatives are talking to the NFL on his behalf about a return to football, but that he does not know what his earning potential is. The Norfolk Virginian-Pilot quoted him as stating: "My plan is to go back into playing football.". He was later reinstated to the NFL in late July and signed by the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in mid-August serving as a back-up to Donavan Mcnabb.
Marcus Vick was expelled from Virginia Tech after multiple criminal incidents and incidents of bad sportsmanship, and an earlier suspension by university officials. He was an undrafted free agent who became was a reserve player with the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
for a year (2006–2007), and as of 2008, was currently a free agent. As of June 2008, he was also waiting trial on multiple charges including involving eluding police and driving while intoxicated stemming from an incident in Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
.