East Texas A&M University Athletics

Football • 1971-74

The youngest college football player in the nation at age 16 in 1970, Beamon became the first Lion student-athlete in history to be selected First Team All-Conference in all four of their seasons. He was selected as an All-American seven times during his collegiate career, including three times as a First Team All-America selection.

Beamon completed his career as the school's all-time leader with 32 career picks and interception returns for touchdowns (6). His 548 interception return yards are a Lone Star Conference record. He also holds the LSC record for most interception yards in a single season (331). He totaled 12 interceptions in the 1972 season, returning four for touchdowns in helping lead the team to the 1972 NAIA National Championship.

The “Kid” went on to a seven-year NFL career, being drafted in the 12th round of the 1975 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He went on to play in 100 games over his career with the Vikings, Seattle Seahawks and Cleveland Browns. He totaled 13 career interceptions, including a career-best six interceptions for the Seahawks in 1977. 

Beamon was inducted into the Lone Star Conference Hall of Honor in 2012.