Tommy Reamon facts for kids

Thomas Waverly Reamon Sr. (born March 12, 1952 – died around May 22, 2025) was an American professional football player. He was also an actor and a teacher in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Tommy Reamon played football as a running back in three different leagues. These were the National Football League (NFL), the World Football League (WFL), and the Canadian Football League (CFL). Later, as a high school football coach, he helped many students become great college and professional football players.

Tommy Reamon's College Football Journey

Tommy Reamon started his football journey at George Washington Carver High School in Newport News, Virginia. From 1971 to 1972, he played as a running back at Fort Scott Junior College in Kansas. He was named a two-time National Junior College All-American. He was also chosen as the offensive player of the year.

Reamon led the NJCAA in rushing yards and touchdowns. He helped Fort Scott reach the NJCAA National Championship game two times in a row. They won the first championship but lost the second. In 1998, he was honored by being added to the NJCAA Hall of Fame. After junior college, he continued his football career at the University of Missouri.

Playing Professional Football

In 1974, Tommy Reamon was drafted by two teams. The Pittsburgh Steelers picked him in the NFL draft. The Florida Blazers chose him in the World Football League's (WFL) draft. Reamon decided to play for the Florida Blazers.

He became a star in the World Football League. In 1974, he was named one of the league's MVPs. He helped the Florida Blazers reach the first and only World Bowl game. They lost a close game to the Birmingham Americans by a score of 22-21. The next year, he joined the Jacksonville Express in the WFL.

After the WFL stopped playing in 1975, Reamon joined the Pittsburgh Steelers. He scored a touchdown for the Steelers in a special game. This game was between the NFL Super Bowl Champions and College All-Stars. In 1976, the Steelers traded Reamon to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Tommy Reamon holds several WFL records. He has the most rushing yards in a single game (189 yards). He also holds the record for most rushing yards in a season (1,576 yards). He gained 83 rushing yards in the World Bowl, which is also a record. In 1976, he gained a total of 750 yards and scored five touchdowns for the Kansas City Chiefs.

After his time with the Chiefs, Reamon played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the CFL in 1977. He tried out for the Chicago Bears but did not make the team. He also had a tryout with the Washington Redskins in 1978. Even though he was their top rusher in the preseason, the Redskins released him.

Acting Career

After his football career, Tommy Reamon started acting. He played the role of Delma Huddle in the 1979 movie North Dallas Forty. He also appeared in several TV shows. These included Charlie's Angels between 1978 and 1982. He also had roles in episodes of Quincy and Fall Guy.

High School Football Coaching

Tommy Reamon coached high school football for many years in the Newport News Public Schools. He coached at Ferguson High School until it closed in 1996. Then, he moved to Warwick High School.

From 2006 to early 2008, Coach Reamon worked at Gloucester High School in Gloucester County. His son, Tommy Jr., was a talented quarterback at Gloucester High. Many colleges wanted him to play for them. Tommy Jr. chose to play for Old Dominion University in Norfolk. He was a key player in their first-ever recruiting class. Now, Tommy Jr. coaches college football at Virginia Tech. He has also coached at the University of Virginia, for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and at the University of Miami.

In April 2008, Reamon became the Head Football coach at Landstown High School in Virginia Beach. In 2017, his Landstown Eagles team had a great season, winning 12 games and losing only 1. They reached the D6 Eastern Regional Playoff final. Reamon has led Landstown to the VHSL playoffs in seven of the last ten seasons.

In 2023, Reamon became the head football coach at Denbigh High School in Newport News. He was asked to take this job by Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.

Helping Future Football Stars

During his time coaching in Newport News, Coach Reamon was known for helping young players. He helped develop future NFL quarterbacks Aaron Brooks and Michael Vick. He also coached Marcus Vick, Michael's younger brother. Reamon helped Aaron Brooks get ready for the University of Virginia. He also helped both Vick brothers when they went to Virginia Tech. All three players received full scholarships to college.

After college, Aaron Brooks played for the Green Bay Packers. He was the starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints for six years. He finished his career with the Oakland Raiders in 2006. In 2008, he announced plans to invest in a project to improve an area of his hometown, Newport News. This project would include new homes, a grocery store, and shops. Brooks said he wanted to "give back to the community" and "make the area better" for the people living there.

Personal Life

Tommy Reamon had a stroke in early 2025. He passed away on May 22, 2025, at the age of 73.