Oakland’s Laney College honored slain football coach John Beam Thursday as the team kicked off a new season.
Players sported “JB” stickers on their helmets in honor of the legendary coach, who was shot and killed at Laney College’s field house last November. His death rocked the community and the thousands of current and former players whose lives he influenced.
“This is the first time that we’re back on the field, all here really in the house that John built,” interim Laney College President Becky Opsata said. “We’re just happy to be back – a new fall at Laney College all working together for our students and community.”
The college plans to open a new field house later this year that will be named after Beam.