Theotis Brown Breaks His Silence: Chiefs Legend Pays Emotional Tribute After Tragic Death of Oakland Icon John Beam
Theotis Brown Breaks His Silence: Chiefs Legend Pays Emotional Tribute After Tragic Death of Oakland Icon John Beam
The Oakland football community is reeling — and now, one of its greatest sons has stepped forward. Former Kansas City Chiefs running back and UCLA legend Theotis Brown has become the latest figure to honor John Beam, the Laney College head coach and “Last Chance U” star who died on November 14 after being shot on campus. Brown, who grew up in Oakland and inspired generations of young athletes just like Beam, called the coach’s death “a heartbreaking loss for every kid who ever needed a chance.”
Brown, now in his 70s and long considered one of the most influential mentors in Oakland football history, reflected on Beam's impact with the perspective of someone who lived the same mission. Brown rose from Castlemont High School to the NFL before spending years mentoring youth athletes — the same demographic Beam spent four decades guiding. “John devoted his life to Oakland’s kids,” Brown said. “That’s a legacy no bullet can erase.”
Beam, 66, was shot in the head on November 13 at Laney College and died the following morning. The suspect, 27-year-old Cedric Irving, was arrested shortly after. Police say Irving knew Beam but did not have a close relationship with him, calling the attack targeted and deeply tragic. The incident marked Oakland’s second school-related shooting in as many days, rattling a community already stretched thin.
For Brown, the tragedy hit close to home. He called Beam “a giant,” echoing the sentiment of Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee. Brown, who played six seasons in the NFL — including a stint with the Kansas City Chiefs — emphasized that Beam’s influence extended all the way to the pros. More than 20 of Beam’s former players reached the NFL, with at least seven appearing in the Super Bowl. “He built men,” Brown said. “Not just athletes.”
Former players, coaches, and East Bay leaders have flooded social media with tributes, describing Beam as the mentor who saved careers, rescued families, and changed lives. Posts from former Raiders, current Laney players, and longtime Bay Area coaches describe him as a “lighthouse,” “father figure,” and “legend whose light won’t fade.”
Brown’s message stands out because it bridges generations — a reminder that Oakland’s football lineage runs deep. From Brown’s dominance in the 1970s to Beam’s modern-day championship teams, both men became cornerstones for youth searching for opportunity in a city too often defined by struggle.
As makeshift memorials grow outside Laney College, Brown offered one final thought that resonated across the community: “Oakland lost a coach. But thousands of us lost the man who taught us how to believe.”
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