By Mike Kinney
Anthony Ramsey Jr., 43, a Richmond resident and respected youth football coach, has been identified as the victim of a fatal shooting in Richmond on Thursday, the city’s first homicide of 2020.
At 6:20 p.m. that night, police responded to reports of a shooting and a solo-vehicle crash at 45th Street and Cutting Boulevard. Officers who arrived on scene located Ramsey in his vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound. Ramsey was pronounced dead at the scene.
No arrests or motive have been announced in the homicide.
Grieving community members are describing Ramsey, known as “Coach Ant,” as a devoted father of four children who was passionate about coaching youth football. Ramsey was originally from San Francisco and worked in construction. Those involved in youth football lauded him as a dedicated mentor to both young players and coaches throughout Northern California.
“I never met a coaching father more dedicated to coaching and developing kids than Coach Ant,” said Coach Marv Orr of the Berkeley Jr. Bears Youth Football program, where Ramsey had been a coach.
More recently, Ramsey was coaching for the Vacaville Bengals. On Feb. 9, he served as defensive coordinator for the California Youth All Star Game at Fairfield High, bringing along some of his Vacaville players.
“He literally helped kids all over the Bay area from here to Sacramento,” Orr said.
Orr said he was mentored by Ramsey, as did Garice Tate Jr., vice president of San Pablo Cowboys, who paid tribute to Ramsey in a Facebook post. Tate called Ramsey one of Northern California youth football’s best coaches.
“Ramsey was a great father to his boys, a man that woke up everyday and went to work to provide for his seeds, he didn’t bite his tongue for anyone or anything and if he wanted to see something happen he would be there to make sure it went through,” Tate said.
Coach Will Bryant, athletic director of the Richmond Steelers Elite Football and Cheer League, said he met Ramsey in 2016 and worked with him to grow youth football regionally.
“Coach Ant shared his knowledge with everyone, even kids from other football organizations,” said Bryant.
Even after he stopped coaching for the Jr. Bears about three years ago, Ramsey would still come to practice and games on occasion, said team Vice President Ayesha Louis.
“We are totally devastated,” Louis said. “We have lost a true hero that a made a real difference with youth.”
A memorial fundraiser has been set up to support Ramsey’s family at this difficult time. Anyone wishing to made a donation is asked to email the Snoop Youth Football League Nor-Cal, [email protected].
His murder remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact Homicide Detective Chris Decious at (510) 621-1747, email him at [email protected] or contact Richmond’s anonymous tip line at (510) 621-1212 x1933.
