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Iconic coach Herman Boone, portrayed by Denzel Washington in ‘Remember the Titans,’ dies at age 84
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On Wednesday, it was confirmed that Herman Boone, the legendary head coach at T.C. Williams High School, died at the age of 84. Boone was portrayed by Denzel Washington in the popular movie “Remember the Titans.”
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Boone became the head coach at T.C. Williams in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1971. That was the year that the city consolidated all of its high schools into one. And during his first season in charge, Boone led the team to an undefeated season and state championship.
Boone has been retired from the coaching profession, but in 2016, he won the Living Legends of Alexandria award. Back in May of 2019, Boone’s assistant coach Bill Yoast died at the age of 94. Yoast was portrayed by actor Will Patton in “Remember the Titans.”
Boone spoke about Yoast and their relationship to The Washington Post:
“No doubt, the beginning of our relationship was rocky,” said Boone. “I didn’t know Yoast. Yoast didn’t know me. I knew that Hammond had no black athletes and I didn’t know if coach Yoast had anything to do with that. But we got to [training camp] and became roommates and found a way to talk to one another.
“I think that’s the formula for race relations throughout the world. People have to learn to talk to one another. You have to learn to talk to that individual, and when you talk to that individual, you learn to trust that individual, and that’s the greatest gift God gave to man.”
Boone coached at T.C. Williams from 1971-79.
Kevin covers Big Ten football for Saturday Tradition.