By DANIEL MATTHEWS, US SENIOR SPORTS WRITER
Published: 09:22 EST, 15 November 2025 | Updated: 09:26 EST, 15 November 2025
Golden State superstar Steph Curry sent a heartfelt message to the family of John Beam after the Laney College football 'icon' was shot dead in a 'senseless' attack.
Beam, who starred in Netflix's college football docuseries 'Last Chance U' in 2020, is believed to have been shot in the head Thursday at the campus in Oakland, where he was working as athletic director.
He was rushed to the hospital but later succumbed to his injuries. Police took a suspect, 27-year-old Cedric Irving Jr., into custody early Friday morning.
On Friday night, Curry inspired Golden State to a dramatic victory over the San Antonio Spurs, scoring a season-high 49 points in the 109-108 win.
But the Bay Area has been rocked by the killing of Beam and, after the game, Curry paid tribute to the fallen coach.
'Being from the Bay and understanding the icon that was lost - John Beam - I'm sending all thoughts and prayers to his family and the whole Laney College Community and all of Oakland,' Curry said.
Legendary coach John Beam (pictured with wife Cindi) died at the age of 66 after being shot
Golden State superstar Steph Curry sent a heartfelt message to the family of Beam on Friday
Beam with daughters Sonjha and Monica. He also had granddaughters Lola and Nori
'Senseless violence is tough. It puts in perspective what we get to do everyday. But I know he was a legend and touched a lot of lives. So I just want to acknowledge that.'
When asked if he had ever met Beam before his shocking death at the age of 66, Curry added: 'I did not.'
Before the game, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr wore a 'John Beam' t-shirt and began his press conference with a tribute to the late football icon.
'Today is a really, really sad day - a sad day for the Bay Area, for Coach Beam's family and everyone in Oakland,' Kerr said.
'He was a revered figure in Oakland - he did so much for so many people and so, on behalf of the Warriors, I just want to extend our condolences and remind everybody that we have to be the change. As a community, as citizens, we have to be the ones who insist that we address the gun violence issue in this country.'
Beam, who is survived by wife Cindi, two daughters and two granddaughters, was a much-loved member of the college sports world after spending over 40 years as a successful football coach.
The family said in a statement that he was a 'loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, coach, mentor and friend.'
The suspect was taken into custody without any altercation and a gun has been recovered, the police revealed.
Oakland police assistant chief James Beere revealed the suspect was known to loiter around Laney's campus. He added that the suspect was on campus for a 'specific reason' but did not elaborate further. 'This was a very targeted incident,' he said.
The Laney College icon spent over 40 years as a successful football coach for various schools
Beam gambled on players nobody wanted and developed relationships with them in the show
The suspect also played football at a high school where Beam had worked but not at the time the coach was employed there. The Netflix docuseries focused on athletes at junior colleges striving to turn their lives around.
Beam gambled on players nobody else wanted and developed deep relationships with them while fielding a team that regularly competed for titles.
It is believed the shooting took place at the field house on campus at East 8th Street and Fifth Avenue.
Officers initially responded to the incident as if it there was an active shooter - with the college placed on lockdown - before they later determined that was not the case.
Authorities confirmed that a 27-year-old suspect was taken into custody early Friday morning at around 3am after being apprehended at San Leandro BART station.
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