In Oakland, a community gathered to pay tribute to John Beam, the legendary football coach who lost his life after being shot on campus at Laney College last week. The outpouring of love and remembrance is evident in the many ways the city is honoring Beam's memory.
At a church-sponsored gun buyback event, cars lined up to surrender their firearms in hopes of making a positive impact. Many attendees, including Junior Jackson, who was once told by Beam he wasn't cut out for football, came to pay respects and share stories about the coach's guidance and influence on their lives. Scott, who played for Beam's Laney Eagles from 2018 to 2019, credits Beam with helping him turn his life around after being unhoused and living in his car.
Beam's tough love and unwavering dedication to his athletes have left a lasting impact on the community. "He's saying that stuff because he cares about you and wants you to succeed," Scott said of Beam's unorthodox coaching methods. Now, Scott is trying to give back to others as a teacher and security guard, inspired by Beam's example.
As the investigation into Beam's shooting continues, authorities are still trying to determine the motive behind the targeted attack. But for now, the focus remains on honoring Beam's legacy and finding ways to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
At the gun buyback event, attendees were adamant that Beam's shooting was a catalyst for change. "We were talking about that on the way here," said Lisa Vegas from Livermore. "I have no problem with guns if used safely. But that was part of it, too. What happened to him so tragic."
Pastor Michael Wallace echoed this sentiment, saying, "I think we could turn this into a positive. I think that's what Coach would want for the city as well." As Irving, the suspect in Beam's shooting, is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, the community remains hopeful that justice will be served and that Beam's memory will continue to inspire positive change.
In the end, it's clear that John Beam's impact extends far beyond his coaching career. He left an indelible mark on the lives of those who knew him, and his legacy will live on through the countless people he inspired and mentored.
At a church-sponsored gun buyback event, cars lined up to surrender their firearms in hopes of making a positive impact. Many attendees, including Junior Jackson, who was once told by Beam he wasn't cut out for football, came to pay respects and share stories about the coach's guidance and influence on their lives. Scott, who played for Beam's Laney Eagles from 2018 to 2019, credits Beam with helping him turn his life around after being unhoused and living in his car.
Beam's tough love and unwavering dedication to his athletes have left a lasting impact on the community. "He's saying that stuff because he cares about you and wants you to succeed," Scott said of Beam's unorthodox coaching methods. Now, Scott is trying to give back to others as a teacher and security guard, inspired by Beam's example.
As the investigation into Beam's shooting continues, authorities are still trying to determine the motive behind the targeted attack. But for now, the focus remains on honoring Beam's legacy and finding ways to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
At the gun buyback event, attendees were adamant that Beam's shooting was a catalyst for change. "We were talking about that on the way here," said Lisa Vegas from Livermore. "I have no problem with guns if used safely. But that was part of it, too. What happened to him so tragic."
Pastor Michael Wallace echoed this sentiment, saying, "I think we could turn this into a positive. I think that's what Coach would want for the city as well." As Irving, the suspect in Beam's shooting, is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, the community remains hopeful that justice will be served and that Beam's memory will continue to inspire positive change.
In the end, it's clear that John Beam's impact extends far beyond his coaching career. He left an indelible mark on the lives of those who knew him, and his legacy will live on through the countless people he inspired and mentored.
but at the same time it's amazing to see how John Beam's memory is being honored in Oakland 
all these people coming together to share their stories and pay respects is really beautiful 
i think what's even more inspiring is that Scott is trying to give back to his community by becoming a teacher and security guard, just like Coach Beam would've wanted 
it shows us that his legacy isn't just about football or coaching, but about the impact he had on people's lives 
i hope justice is served for John Beam and that this tragedy can lead to positive change in the future 
The way Oakland is coming together to honor Coach Beam's memory is just incredible 
. I mean, it's not just about paying tribute, it's about using this tragedy as a catalyst for change 
. The fact that there's already been a church-sponsored gun buyback event and people are talking about how it can be a positive thing to address gun violence 
is amazing.
. And now, Scott is trying to give back by becoming a teacher and security guard - that's just incredible 
. It shows that Coach Beam's legacy isn't just about what he did for himself, but what he can inspire in others.
. That's exactly what Coach Beam would want - for the city to come together and use his memory to make a difference 
. The gun buyback event is a great start, but it's also so clear that there's more work to be done. We need to talk about the systemic issues that led to Beam being targeted in the first place.
but it's great 2 see ppl coming together like this in oakland to pay tribute & make a positive impact 
and i love how everyone's focusing on finding ways 2 prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future 
! I think it's amazing how a community came together to pay tribute to this legendary coach who left an indelible mark on many lives 
, but I'm glad his legacy is living on through the positive change his shooting has sparked 
. The gun buyback event was a great way for people to come together and make a difference