FCA is saddened to hear of the death of Dan Reeves, highly respected NFL
coach and longtime friend of FCA. Reeves was 77 years old and
went to be with the Lord at his home in Atlanta, Georgia earlier in the month.
“We
mourn the passing of Coach Reeves, but rejoice that he is with our Savior,”
said FCA President and CEO Shane Williamson. “Dan loved the Lord, was a man of
integrity, an amazing coach, committed husband and father and a great partner
and friend to FCA. Generations of players are better men, husbands, fathers and
leaders due to the influence Coach Reeves has had on their lives.”
Reeves, a Super Bowl legend with a 201-174-2 NFL coaching record
overall, made a remarkable impact on football history. Reeves is one of only 10
coaches to have won at least 190 regular-season games in his career, and he
guided two teams—the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons—to the Super Bowl.
Reeves was also the head coach of the New York Giants for four seasons.
Reeves joined the NFL in 1965 as a rookie for the Dallas Cowboys,
which kicked off an eight-year career that included the longest completion in
the fabled Ice Bowl—a 50-yard touchdown to Lance Rentzel on a halfback pass.
As a lifelong supporter of FCA,
speaking and sharing Christ with others, Reeves exemplified the meaning of a
true Christian, stating, “Jesus Christ is first, others are second, [and] I am
third.” A frequent speaker at FCA events, Reeves was a firm
believer in the power of sports in pointing coaches and athletes towards a
better relationship with Christ.
“Coach
was a friend and faithful ministry partner,” said Bob Wiedemann, FCA Divisional
VP South US. “He loved Jesus! His impact on countless young men continues to
bear fruit today.”
-FCA-
Photos courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons and The New York Times