Ex-footballer Reece takes part in tourney

Former NFL player Beasley Reece cuts a dapper figure on the golf course, decked out in green checked shorts, purple shirt and a floppy hat to block out the sun as he played in a tournament at Tri-County Golf Club at the Vineyards between Teague and Fairfield on Sunday morning.

Reece, who played a little bit of receiver with the Dallas Cowboys in 1976 and made his name as a defensive back for the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1977-85, was the honorary guest for the tournament.

On Saturday, he gave an inspiring talk to the other players.

Reece, who is originally from Waco and lives at Richland Chambers Lake when he’s in the area, had never met Tri-County owner Steve Beaird, of Teague, until recently. But he knew the name, and was well aware of Beaird’s accomplishments at Baylor University, where he was the school’s first running back to gain 1,000 yards in 1974 and was inducted into the Baylor Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019.

“My parents were season-ticket holders for the Baylor Bears for 40 years,” Reece said. “They went to every home game, were involved in all the booster clubs and things like that. They were big Bear supporters.”

Beaird, a 5-foot-7, 195-pound back who churned out yards during that 1974 season, caught the elder Reece’s eye.

“Steve Beaird was one of my dad’s favorite all-time players,” Reece said. “He was big-time proud of Steve Beaird and what he did at Baylor.”

Reece and Beaird became instant friends when they met at the Tri-County Golf Club.

“When I met him, I was like, ‘Wow, so this is Steve Beaird,’” Reece said.

“And we just hit it off right away. I call him ‘Pro.’ He’s just a wonderful guy. So, we hit it off and started cracking on each other and competing on the golf course and just having a wonderful time. And so I kept coming back and then eventually I joined here. So, I can see Tri-County as where I mainly play as long as I’m living down in this area. ”

Reece said he was a member of the Corsicana Country Club and played most of his golf there.

But he started making the trek to Tri-County to keep his game sharp. He especially liked the challenge of the back nine holes.

“I used to come here because they’ve got a nice little driving range,” Reece said before teeing off at 11 a.m. Sunday. “And I would practice because it’s so tight on the back nine. It’s so difficult that it’s just real good to sharpen your nerve, to sharpen your game on that back side. So, I’d come here and hit a bucket of balls, play the back nine, but do most of my golfing at Corsicana Country Club.”

Reece works in the Philadelphia area, where he is CEO of the NFL Alumni, which has 35 chapters throughout the country and organizes a variety of fundraising events across the nation. He returned to the area for a two-week vacation that has stretched into three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic and certain restrictions on traveling.

“I was home for two weeks and then COVID hit and I ended up staying home for three months,” Reece said. “And, so, I started playing here with these guys and I just had so much fun that I play here more than anywhere else just because of the guys and meeting Steve Beaird.”

Reece said living at Richland-Chambers Lake has been a lot of fun over the years. But he’s getting to a point where the relaxation of golf is preferable to the exertion of water sports.

“I’m 66 now, so climbing all over boats and jet skis is starting to get to be a little pain,” he said with a laugh.

“So, eventually, I’ll probably sell that house and find a golf community somewhere. But as long as I’m living out on the lake, I’ll be playing here. These guys are just awesome.”

Reece said that his job as CEO of NFL Alumni affords him the opportunity to play golf throughout the year. Charity golf tournaments are one way the organization raises money.

“That’s something that people don’t realize about the alumni,” he said. “We have 35 chapters across the country. And our primary fundraising activity includes golf tournaments, galas, skeet shooting, bowling tournaments, guest bartender. We do all kinds of things to raise money.”

Until recently, the money went solely toward youth activities.

“Historically, we give over a million dollars to children’s charities local to that particular chapter. So, I’m very proud of the charity work that we do for children,” he said.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still surging, it’s been difficult to have organized activities for groups of people. Still, he praised the three Texas chapters for their work.

“Our Dallas chapter and our Austin chapter and our Houston chapter are three of our best in the entire nation,” Reece said. “I’m very proud of what Texas is doing for children, our outreach, and how they support and participate with us. I’m thankful that we have that kind of community support here in Texas. Everyone’s done a superb job with these chapters.”

Reece said he’ll be heading back to Philadelphia in a couple of weeks. He’s happy with the work he has been able to accomplish from home.

“I’ve just got to get back up to the office, although we are moving forward efficiently through ZOOM and conference calls,” he said. “I’m shocked at how productive I’ve been from home. I don’t feel an urgency to get back. But I feel a responsibility to spend a month or two in the office. Right now, out here in this area, I’m in the safest place in the world. These big cities are really catching it (COVID-19).”

While the numbers tend to be much higher in large cities, the numbers throughout Texas have been going up, as well. Reece knows that means he may not be able to get back to the office immediately upon returning to Philadelphia.

“Coming from Texas, I probably will have to stay in my apartment for a week or two and make sure that I’m OK and that I’m not endangering anybody,” Reece said. “We all need to be careful, and protect each other.”