Herman Boone, Legendary Coach Who Inspired 'Remember the Titans,' Passes Away at 84

Virginia high school football coach Herman Boone died Wednesday.
Virginia high school football coach Herman Boone died Wednesday. / David Madison/Getty Images

A legendary figure in high school football has died.

Herman Boone, the head coach immortalized by Denzel Washington's portrayal in the 2000 Disney film "Remember the Titans," passed away on Wednesday at the age of 84. According to his former assistant coach, Aly Khan Jonson, Boone had been battling cancer before his passing.

Boone became the head coach of TC Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia back in 1971, when racial integration was first implemented there. Even given a high level of interracial tension, Boone led the Titans football team to a state championship in his first year, defeating 15 all-white teams and accumulating an undefeated record.

Boone continued to coach the program until 1979, at which point he was let go by the high school.

His top assistant coach, Bill Yoast, passed away this past May at the age of 94.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Coach Boone' family and loved ones during this time of mourning.