Ultimate gunslinger, Gators legend John Reaves fought until the end
By Corey Long
Published:
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — When I was asked to write something on John Reaves, I wasn’t certain of what I could contribute.
I knew about his glory days at Florida from reading the old record books. He set an NCAA record with 7,581 career passing yards (now considered a so-so-season at Texas Tech) and an SEC record with 54 touchdowns. He also set the NCAA record for interceptions in a game with nine against Auburn. That one still stands.
“John wasn’t afraid to throw the ball,” former Gators sports information director Norm Carlson told the Tampa Bay Times. “Two interceptions or nine, it didn’t matter to him, he was gonna fling it.”
Carlson described Reaves as “unflappable” and it was true. Even with that nine-interception day, Reaves finished the 1969 season with more touchdowns (24) than interceptions (19).
Reaves, who played in the NFL and USFL, died Tuesday in Tampa. He was 67.
His days at Florida were before my time and while I remember him as a Tampa Bay Bandit in the USFL, I only saw him a couple of times a year because I lived in New York City and we got to watch Herschel Walker and Doug Flutie live out my early ’80s college football super team dreams with the New Jersey Generals in our market.
But when Reaves was playing my beloved Generals, I knew it was going to be a battle and he wasn’t going to give an inch.
As the ESPN documentary “Small Potatoes: Who Killed the USFL” pointed out, the Generals and Bandits had quite the conflict thanks to feuding owners, current U.S. President Donald Trump (Generals) and John Bassett (Bandits). The teams, much like the owners, were polar opposites as well. The Generals featured Herschel, Herschel and more Herschel, running for what seemed like 10 miles per game.
Reaves found his niche playing “Bandit ball” and throwing it around the yard under the tutelage of Steve Spurrier.
Reaves could throw that thing, too. Threw for 4,000 yards in back-to-back seasons in 1984 and 1985. Only Jim Kelly had more yards in those two years. He was a tough guy too. The Generals used to blitz the heck out of him and he’d just stand in the pocket and wing it. Hit him, he’d throw it. Pick him off, he’d throw some more. He played like it was now or never. His teammates and coach loved him for it.
“He was sensational in (1984),” Spurrier told the Tampa Bay Times. “Every game he was really something.”
Since moving to Florida and now living in St. Petersburg, I’ve had the pleasure of a couple of handshake encounters with Reaves and sadly not much more than a “hello.” Nice man though, he always had a smile and seemed to have guys laughing.
In order to know more, I got in touch with my close friend and former Gator All-American defensive lineman Ed Chester.
Reaves was Chester’s primary recruiter at Florida and landed the big man out of Springstead High School in Spring Hill, Fla., who was eventually was part of the 1996 Gators national championship team – the best team Florida has ever had (sorry Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin).
“I guess the thing I remember most is how nice he was, he was real honest and up front,” Chester said Wednesday. “He didn’t sugarcoat anything and everything he told me during his first visit turned out to be true. My parents liked him a lot, too.”
Even though Reaves coached offense, Chester said the two always had a good relationship, one that continued after he graduated from Florida.
“He was always cracking jokes, always making someone laugh while we were at practice,” Chester said. “And then he would pull me aside every now and then and just make sure I was all right and I had everything I needed. As a young man I needed that. I knew he cared. I knew he was genuine.”
Chester said he talked to Reaves about a year ago to discuss business ventures and they caught up by email other times.
“He would email me out of the blue and it was always pleasant,” Chester said. “I know he struggled with some addictions and lived pretty hard, but he was always honest about what he was going through and he tried hard to fight them.
“I doubt you can find anyone that would say anything negative about John. He was a good man.”
Turns out the Reaves I saw on the field was much like the man off the field. He was a fighter who lived life to the fullest and on the edge. He was a friend to many and someone fun to be around. May he rest in peace.
Cover photo credit: Tampa Bay Times
Corey Long is a freelance writer for SaturdayDownSouth.com. Follow Corey on Twitter @CoreyLong.
