Key player from 'Remember the Titans' has died

Petey Jones, of 1971 T.C. Williams and Remember the Titans fame, has died.
Photo credit Megan Raymond/USA Today Network

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Petey Jones, a key member of the 1971 T.C. Williams football team made famous in the film "Remember The Titans," has died after battling prostate cancer. He was 65.

Jones was one of the many black students who came to T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Va. and played on the 1971 undefeated state champion squad which inspired the film. The Alexandria City Public Schools system announced Jones' death Monday on Twitter.

His old football coach at T.C. Williams Herman Boone, portrayed in the film by Denzel Washington, called Jones the best he'd ever coached.

“Petey Jones is the best football player I’ve ever coached. He was tough. He was hard-nosed. He was mean. He was agile, mobile and hostile,” Boone told The Washington Post. “He was a great kid, a great person. Everybody loved Petey.”
“We are beyond sad to hear of the passing of Mr. Petey Jones,” the tweet read. “He has been the heart of T.C. Williams High School since it opened, retiring only this past school year. Rest in Peace.”

We are beyond sad to hear of the passing of Mr. Petey Jones. He has been the heart of T.C. Williams High School since it opened, retiring only this past school year. Rest in Peace. #RememberTheTitans @TCWTitans pic.twitter.com/j7FwbEP7Pu

— Alexandria City Public Schools (@ACPSk12) July 1, 2019

Jones served as a School Security Officer for the Alexandria City Public Schools for 29 years before retiring November 1, 2018. 

He told the ACPS the power of music helped the team come together with teammate and wanna-be singer Darryl “Blue” Stanton serving as his frequent partner in song.

"Being black and white and people learning each other’s songs … that’s one of the main things that helped us come together as a team,” Jones said in October.

Actor Donald Faison, who portrayed Jones in the film, offered his condolences in a post on Instagram. "We lost a true Titan today," Faison wrote. "It’s incredible how many people, over the years, have told me how much they loved Petey Jones and his Titan adventures and how it has impacted their lives…their kids’ lives…and so on. 

"Once a Titan, always a Titan." 

We lost a true Titan today… Petey Jones. This morning I was able to speak with his daughter, Keisha. We talked about a few things…his battle with cancer that he ultimately lost, his love for community and the love he had for his family. What really resonated with me was how much he loved the Titans. I told her having the opportunity to portray her father was a huge honor that I will always cherish. Keisha told me that she and her siblings all graduated as Titans and that made her father the happiest. It’s incredible how many people, over the years, have told me how much they loved Petey Jones and his Titan adventures and how it has impacted their lives…their kids’ lives…and so on. Once a Titan, always a Titan. Remember Petey Jones.
A post shared by Donald Faison (@donald_aison) on Jul 1, 2019 at 8:48am PDT
Jones is the third member of the 1971 state champion Titans to pass away in recent months. Bill Yoast, assistant coach, died at 94 in May. Captain and defensive end Julius Campbell died of organ failure in February. He was 65.

“I’m going to miss him. The team is going to miss him,” Boone told The Post Monday. “The world is going to miss Petey.”

Follow @BenKrimmel and @1067theFan on Twitter.