John Reaves was a talented American football quarterback who played for various teams during his career. He began his football career at the University of Florida, where he set numerous records and was named an All-American. In 1972, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the NFL draft.
Reaves played for the Eagles for three seasons before being traded to the Cincinnati Bengals in 1975. He spent two seasons with the Bengals before being traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1977. Reaves played for the Buccaneers for four seasons, during which time he set several team records.
In 1981, Reaves was traded to the Houston Oilers, where he played for two seasons before being traded to the Minnesota Vikings in 1983. He spent one season with the Vikings before being traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a second stint in 1984. Reaves played for the Buccaneers for two more seasons before finishing his career with the USFL's Tampa Bay Bandits in 1987.
Throughout his career, Reaves was known for his strong arm and ability to throw the deep ball. He set numerous records during his time at the University of Florida, including the NCAA record for career passing yards. He also set several team records during his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Despite his talent, Reaves struggled with off-field issues throughout his career. He was arrested several times for drug-related offenses and was suspended by the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Despite these setbacks, Reaves remained a popular figure among fans and was known for his outgoing personality and sense of humor.
After retiring from football, Reaves worked as a coach and broadcaster. He was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. Reaves passed away in 2017 at the age of 67.
🏈