Hundreds Gather to Honor Legendary Oakland Coach John Beam as His Life is Celebrated with a Moment of Reflection
A moment of reflection will be held on Saturday for the late legendary Oakland Coach John Beam, at the Henry J Kaiser Center for the Arts in Oakland. Beam died last Friday after being shot on campus the day before, at Laney College where he spent his final 20 years as a coach. The community came together to celebrate the life of this larger-than-life figure who helped countless athletes turn their lives around and became an integral part of the Oakland community.
Beam was a football legend in the Bay Area with over four decades of experience in coaching before becoming solely Laney College's athletic director last year. Outside of the Bay Area, Beam is probably best known from Netflix's hit show "Last Chance U." The news of his passing has sent shockwaves through the sports world and beyond.
Beam will be remembered by his loved ones as a pillar in the Oakland community who went above and beyond to help those around him. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and three granddaughters. As a tribute to Beam's life and legacy, hundreds gathered on Friday night to honor this larger-than-life figure whose impact will be felt for years to come.
While tickets to the in-person celebration are sold out, you can watch it live here on ABC7 in the video player above. The moment of reflection is scheduled to start at 2 p.m., and those who cannot attend in person can pay their respects from home.
A moment of reflection will be held on Saturday for the late legendary Oakland Coach John Beam, at the Henry J Kaiser Center for the Arts in Oakland. Beam died last Friday after being shot on campus the day before, at Laney College where he spent his final 20 years as a coach. The community came together to celebrate the life of this larger-than-life figure who helped countless athletes turn their lives around and became an integral part of the Oakland community.
Beam was a football legend in the Bay Area with over four decades of experience in coaching before becoming solely Laney College's athletic director last year. Outside of the Bay Area, Beam is probably best known from Netflix's hit show "Last Chance U." The news of his passing has sent shockwaves through the sports world and beyond.
Beam will be remembered by his loved ones as a pillar in the Oakland community who went above and beyond to help those around him. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and three granddaughters. As a tribute to Beam's life and legacy, hundreds gathered on Friday night to honor this larger-than-life figure whose impact will be felt for years to come.
While tickets to the in-person celebration are sold out, you can watch it live here on ABC7 in the video player above. The moment of reflection is scheduled to start at 2 p.m., and those who cannot attend in person can pay their respects from home.
. It's crazy to think that the guy was just a regular coach turned legend, but his impact on the community is still gonna be felt for ages. I love how the city came together to celebrate his life and legacy - it's clear he meant a lot to the people of Oakland. What I find really inspiring is how he used his platform to help athletes turn their lives around, that's real hero stuff 
. And can we talk about his Netflix show? "Last Chance U" was more than just a sports docu-series, it was a showcase for the power of mentorship and second chances. Beam's passing is a reminder that we've lost too many people who were making a difference in their communities, but his legacy will keep on inspiring us 
.
... I mean, not! He seemed like a super sad guy all the time on Netflix, but maybe his death was for the best? Like, we don't know what's going on behind those serious Coach Beam face expressions 
. On one hand, it's awesome that so many people are coming together to celebrate his life and legacy - I mean, not if they're all just pretending to be sad 
. Honestly though, can we talk about how this show "Last Chance U" is kinda problematic? Like, what even is the point of making a whole TV series out of someone's personal struggles? 
But anywayz, I guess Coach Beam was pretty important to the Oakland community and all that jazz... maybe he'd be happy we're still talking about him 
.
it's crazy that someone with so much impact can be taken away in an instant 
and had this energy about him that inspired people to chase their dreams 
I mean, what's up with all the fuss over John Beam? Guy was a decent coach, I guess 
... but thousands showing up for his memorial? Not bad, but kinda weird too 
. Anyway, I'm sure he's looking down on us all with a big smile, helping athletes turn their lives around from wherever he is 
... now if only they'd do something for his wife and the grandkids instead of just him 
.
. I remember watching Laney College games when I was younger and seeing Coach Beam's passion & energy, he just lit up the field 
️. now he's leaving a void but his legacy will live on thru all those lives he touched 
.
. people are just gonna put him on a pedestal now and forget about his flaws... or lack thereof 
. sad that people are still fawning all over him after only being gone for a few days 
. mark my words, we'll be hearing about how great he was in 5 years when someone writes a tell-all book about his coaching career 
.
It's crazy to think about how his life ended like that... I guess it's good that people are still honoring him and celebrating his legacy though 
. Anyways, sending love and respects to his family and loved ones during this tough time 
.
. I'm so sorry for his family & loved ones, it's crazy that someone who made such a positive impact on so many lives had to leave us too soon 
u guys wont believe wht just happnd!! they hav a celebration for coach beam whos life is being honored with a moment of reflection 
its so sad but amazing at the same time lol beam was like a legend on & off the field he helped so many people turn their lives around & hes survived by his lovely fam which includes 2 daughters & 3 grandbabies 
I mean, who does this happen to? Someone who literally helped countless people turn their lives around and became a pillar of this community?! It's just not fair 
and I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that we won't get to see Coach Beam's big personality in person anymore 
it's just too much