Reeves had also hoped to direct a low-budget science-fiction film written by a friend from his Pasadena Playhouse days, and he had discussed the project with his first Lois Lane, Phyllis Coates, the previous year. In 1960, Reeves was awarded a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard for his contributions to the TV industry. I just showed up when we had a meet because they knew I could get them some points. John Reaves, former Robinson, Gators and Bucs quarterback, dies In the league's final season, 1985, he was 314 for 561, throwing 29 interceptions compared to 25 touchdown passes.[17]. He lectured children about his problems including a $1,000-a-day cocaine habit, two drunk driving arrests and a marijuana possession and found redemption through religion and real estate sales. [5] He starred as Robert Henderson in BBC Scotland's drama River City. National Football League, Historical Players, Philadelphia Eagles first-round draft picks, Philadelphia Eagles starting quarterbacks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting quarterbacks, University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame, List of Florida Gators football All-Americans, List of Philadelphia Eagles first-round draft picks, List of United States Football League players, List of University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame members, Tampa Bay's All-Century Team: No. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It's sad to see that John has passed on, but we'll celebrate his life down in Tampa with so many good friends and Gators, Spurrier said. They had no children and divorced 10 years later.[16]. And, oh, there have been tough times for the former Florida All-American quarterback, a former first round draft choice of the Philadelphia Eagles who spent 13 years in the NFL and USFL. Dear Lenny Daniel, you were really lucky that you could meet him. Reeves' family released a statement regarding the coach's death. In 1838 he married Charlotte Pope McKinne, also originally from Wayne County. The team won one in 1978. Reaves and the Super Sophs led the Gators to their all-time best season record of 911, and an upset 1413 victory over the Tennessee Volunteers in the 1969 Gator Bowl. In 1952, the struggling ABC Network purchased the show for national broadcast, which gave him greater visibility. By the time he was a senior, the Gators had gone from that brilliant 9-1-1 campaign in 1969 to a 4-7 season that is best remembered by The Florida Flop. Against Miami in the final game of the season, Floridas defense flopped to allow Miami a touchdown just to get the ball back so Reaves could break what was then the all-time NCAA passing yardage record (7,549). Good reporting by Jack Hairston of the Jacksonville Journal and Buddy Martin of Cocoa Today (now Florida Today) uncovered the story just a couple of days before Reaves threw a touchdown pass to Alvarez to beat Tennessee, 14-13, in the Gator Bowl. death of former Gators quarterback John Reaves, Video Platform powered by CBS Sports Digital. Thats a shame and its probably a contributor to his early passing. I was doing so many sports that I didnt pitch because I didnt have the time to work on my control and I was wild, Reaves said. [13] The Bessolo marriage lasted 15 years, ending in divorce, with the couple separating while Reeves was away visiting relatives. 1998 - 2023 University Athletic Assoc., Inc., FOX Sports Sun & IMG College. It would turn into a ten minute talk about football and family. Web721 Smith Rd. I remember watching Reaves play in college and briefly in the NFL. He was 67. In June 2021, an episode of the internet series BuzzFeed Unsolved discussed the death of Reeves and possible theories. After leaving the Eagles, Reaves played four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, one with the Houston Oilers, and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Reaves, along with several other top sophomores mixed in with a strong group of seniors, helped the Gators go 9-1-1 (the best record in UF history at the time), including an upset of SEC champion Tennessee in the Gator Bowl. The film suggests three possible scenarios: accidental shooting by Lemmon, murder by an unnamed hitman under orders from Eddie Mannix, and suicide. In 1957, the producers considered a theatrical film Superman and the Secret Planet. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Our second year he threw for more than 4,000 yards. With me, its like that song goes about the rubber ball I keep bouncing back to you.. The Falcons hired him in 1997, and the Falcons had one of the most unexpected Super Bowl appearances in NFL history, winning the NFC Championship Game and facing Elway and the Broncos in the 1998 Super Bowl, where Reeves Falcons lost. He was 67. Separated from his wife (their divorce became final in 1950), Reeves moved to New York City in 1949. Its sad to see that John has passed on, but well celebrate his life down there in Tampa with so many good friends and Gators, Steve Spurrier said. At this time, Reeves and his mother moved from Iowa to Ashland, Kentucky, to stay with relatives for a time[10] and then to her home of Galesburg, Illinois.[11]. George Reeves (born George Keefer Brewer; January 5, 1914 June 16, 1959) was an American actor. [1][2][3][4][5][6], Reeves was born January 5, 1914,[7][8] as George Keefer Brewer in Woolstock, Iowa, the son of Donald Carl Brewer and Helen Lescher. Its too bad he passed away at this relatively early age. He left Hyndland Secondary School early to help his father, and undertook National Service in the Royal Scots Greys, where he was a tank mechanic. Social Media Sensation Bianca Devins Has Been Killed, Mpura and Killer Kau Died in Fatal Car Accident; Kabza is Alive, Tragic Story Stands Behind Luc Montagniers Cause of Death. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Reeves and Sherman impressed the casting director by performing seven pages of script in a single take without pause. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Reeves was married to Pam. He wasnt the warm, friendly coach that Coach Graves was and his style rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. Many studios were slowing down their production schedules, however, and some production units had shut down completely. However, he still managed to complete 139 passes out of 259 attempts. On 15 July 2020 it was announced that Roves had died at the age of 83, after a period of ill health.[6]. WebReaves played college football for the University of Florida, and earned All-American honors. [5] He also played basketball and baseball and ran track for the Knights,[4] and once scored 52 points in a high-school basketball game. When youve spent your life making headlines on the football field and you live in a football crazy town like Tampa, this is the kind of mistake that doesnt get buried on page 20 of section two. [17] His friend Teddi Sherman introduced him to her father, producer Harry Sherman, who asked Reeves to do a screen test with Teddi for the Hopalong Cassidy films. At the same time, I do know this: I don't think anybody will ever realize how much the Florida Gators truly meant to John Reaves.". I know. He was able to play against type and starred as a villainous gold hunter in a Johnny Weissmuller Jungle Jim film. He also had great success turning around the fortunes of the NY Giants and Atlanta Falcons in the 90s. After two seasons, Reeves was dissatisfied with his salary and the show's one-dimensional role. All rights reserved. Reaves was arrested on gun and drug possession charges in 2008 and entered an Atlanta-area substance-abuse rehabilitation program in May 2009. Real estate and keeping up with his three kids and grandchildren keeps Reaves occupied these days. Still, its a good life he says. After his professional career, he became an assistant coach for the Cowboys. However, the team fell short each time. Reaves' best years came when he was the quarterback at Florida. He served as national chairman for the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation in 1955. Over the course of his nine-year NFL career, Reaves played for five different teams. When he returned, his mother told him his stepfather had committed suicide. In 1959, however, negotiations began for a renewal of the series, with 26episodes scheduled to go into production. Dan Reeves cause of death has been released. He hit one of his all-time lows when he was arrested in Tampa in 2008 for aggravated assault with a firearm and possession of cocaine. 2023 www.gainesville.com. Reaves was let go after the 1992 season, but was rehired by Spurrier again in 1994. Reeves, with Hall of Famer John Elway at quarterback beginning in 1983, led Denver to five division titles and three Super Bowls. They came out in a cover two and you have to understand, that was something brand new in football. It was a minor role, but he and Fred Crane were in the film's opening scene. Please kindly scroll down and use the comment box to share your feelings about the heartbreaking news for tributes and prayers. [6] As a senior, he received the Sammy Baugh Trophy, recognizing the nation's best college passer, and the Gators' Fergie Ferguson Award, recognizing the "senior football player who displays outstanding leadership, character, and courage. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. He threw for 1,276 yards, but tossed 16 interceptions compared to nine touchdown passes. [2], In 2007, 39 years after he graduated from high school, the Florida High School Athletic Association recognized Reaves as one of the "100 Greatest Players of the First 100 Years" of Florida high school football. I am sad to hear that reeves died. Reaves and Alvarez subsequently broke every Florida passing and receiving record during their three-year college careers, and Reaves set the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) career passing record of 7,581 yards and the Southeastern Conference (SEC) career record of 56 touchdowns. [19] Reaves entered an Atlanta-area substance-abuse rehabilitation program in May 2009. Reeves worked tirelessly with Toni Mannix to raise money to fight myasthenia gravis. (Some sources contend that it may not have been looked for, as gunshot residue testing was not routinely performed in 1959). He kept his private life discreet, including a romantic relationship with Toni Mannix, wife of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer general manager Eddie Mannix. Look, Up in the Sky: The Amazing Story of Superman, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "The Death of George Reeves The Original Superman", "The Life and Tragic Death of 'Superman' Star George Reeves Plus the Actor in his Own Words", "7 super things you might not know about George Reeves", "11 Homes That Are Haunted by Dead Celebrities", "Was Superman star George Reeves a suicide or murder victim? Super Bowls of these cookies Superman and the show for national broadcast, gave! General manager Eddie Mannix use the comment box to share your feelings about the ball... Professional career, he still managed to complete 139 passes out of 259 attempts 16 ] McKinne. And his style rubbed a lot of people the wrong way Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer general manager Eddie Mannix and. Dissatisfied with his three kids and grandchildren keeps Reaves occupied these days was a. Coach that coach Graves was and his style rubbed a lot of people the wrong.! 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