Petey Jones, 'Remember The Titans' Player, Dies

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Petey Jones, a member of the 1971 T.C. Williams football team portrayed in Disney's "Remember the Titans," died Monday morning.

Alexandria City Public Schools shared the news on social media. "We are beyond sad to hear of the passing of Mr. Petey Jones," the school district tweeted. "He has been the heart of T.C. Williams High School since it opened, retiring only this past school year. Rest in Peace."

Jones was a senior fullback on the T.C. Williams football team when they won the Virginia AAA state championship in 1971. After previously attending and playing for George Washington High School, he went to T.C. Williams as the upper grades of Alexandria's three high schools were fully integrated. Jones kept his ties to ACPS as a school security officer for 29 years and retired during the last school year.

Actor Donald Faison, who played Jones in "Remember the Titans," paid tribute in an Instagram post. "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," wrote Faison. "What really resonated with me was how much he loved the Titans."

The passing of Jones followed two others tied to the 1971 Titans. Coach Bill Yoast, who served as assistant to coach Herman Boone, died in May. Julius Campbell, another key Titans player, died in January.