By Chris Gasiewski, Delaware State News Photo: DSU free safety Reggie McCoy was a former teammate of the late Jerome “J.J.” Bedle at Syracuse University.
DOVER — Those who competed with Jerome “J.J.” Bedle on the Delaware State football team last year can remember his dedicated work ethic. It became his legacy and it was enough for DSU to use his phrase, “Work Day” as the team’s motto.
That’s how much Bedle’s memory meant to the Hornets. The receiver died of a heart attack in February, and DSU honored Bedle prior to Saturday’s 23-18 season-opening win over Coastal Carolina.
But for running back Kareem Jones and free safety Reggie McCoy, Bedle meant much more than a teammate. He was a good friend.
The three first met each other at Syracuse University. Jones was his roommate for two years there and McCoy and Bedle built a friendship.
“He might be the coolest kid you ever met,” Jones said. “Everybody thought he was real quiet and reserved. But me and him, that was my best friend.”
Bedle transferred from Syracuse prior to the 2006 season. His broke his collarbone in DSU’s opening win over Florida A&M in the Ford Classic in Detroit.
Bedle, who would’ve been a junior this season, never played in a game again.
Despite missing the season, Bedle’s work at DSU went beyond the gridiron. He was instrumental in recruiting both Jones and McCoy, promoting DSU as a family atmosphere.
The duo followed Bedle’s path this summer and Jones quickly won the starting running back spot while McCoy turned heads, earning the same role at safety.
“We used to just chill and talk. Talk about practice. Talk about life,” Jones said. “He was real dedicated with his school work. He always talked about his future magazine.”
Jones said Bedle’s ambition was to create a magazine that focused on sports, entertainment and music. He never lost sight of the project and he also wrote lyrics for rap songs.
When Bedle passed away, it sent a shock wave through the DSU family as well as McCoy and Jones. No one, they thought, that young and athletic should lose their life.
“I don’t even think I could put it in words,” said McCoy as his eyes began to water. “It was devastating because someone your age, who you think is very healthy, who you just talked to passes away like that. There is no way to explain it.”
McCoy said he talked with Bedle the week before he died.
“When I heard it, I didn’t believe it,” McCoy said.
Jones didn’t believe it either. He said he had to call mutual friends to confirm the news.
“I was blown away,” Jones said. “I didn’t know how to really react. It seemed surreal.”
Saturday’s memorial was also surreal for Jones and McCoy. DSU remembered Bedle as well as the four students who were shot in Newark, N.J. last month.
At the memorial, Lavan held a plaque with Bedle’s No. 7 jersey while about 25 members of Bedle’s family stood on the field for a moment of silence. All were wearing red shirts with his name and number on it.
“We talk so much about the football game and winning and losing,” coach Al Lavan said. “But the bottom line is that you’re talking about people. They are the ones that capture the highs and lows of our lives.
“It was very important that we and the university to point the spotlight back to what this is all about. It’s about the students.”
Bedle’s memory will linger with the Hornets all year.
“Always will his memory be living over Delaware State football,” Jones said. “He always worked hard. He was just a good individual all around.”
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