Petey Jones, a member of T.C. Williams High School's legendary 1971 state championship team depicted in the film "Remember the Titans," has died at age 65.
Jones had suffered a lengthy battle with prostate cancer, The Washington Post reported.
The former football star worked for Alexandria City Public Schools for nearly three decades and retired last year from his job as a security guard for T.C. Williams.
"We are beyond sad to hear of the passing of Mr. Petey Jones. He has been the heart of T.C. Williams High School since it opened, retiring only this past school year. Rest in Peace. #RememberTheTitans," Alexandria City Public Schools tweeted Monday.
"We lost a true Titan today," Donald Faison, the actor who played Jones in the 2000 Disney film "Remember the Titans," posted on Instagram.
Faison said many people have come up to him over the years to tell him how the movie and Petey Jones' character affected their lives.
"What really resonated with me was how much he loved the Titans," he said.
