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Philadelphia Eagles Coach Andy Reid‘s Oldest Son Found Dead at Team’s Training Camp

Posted on August 5, 2012 at 1:50pm by Jason Howerton
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Philadelphia Eagles Coach Andy Reids Oldest Son, Garrett, Found Dead at Teams Training Camp

Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

(TheBlaze/AP) — Garrett Reid, the oldest son of Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid, was found dead Sunday morning in his room at the club’s training camp at Lehigh University. He was 29.

The police chief at Lehigh, Edward Shupp, said a 911 call was made at 7:20 a.m., and that Garrett Reid was deceased upon a policeman’s arrival at the campus dormitory.

“There were no suspicious activities,” Shupp said.

The Eagles practiced after gathering for a team prayer, but Andy Reid was not present. Assistants Marty Mornhinweg and Juan Castillo ran the team’s walkthrough, and will oversee the Eagles until Reid returns.

The afternoon session Sunday was to go on. However, owner Jeffery Lurie canceled his annual state of the team address that was scheduled for 1 p.m.

“This news is heartbreaking for everyone in the Eagles family,” Lurie said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to Andy, his wife, Tammy, and their children.”

No cause of death had been determined.

“What I can tell you is this morning we were contacted by the Lehigh campus police department and (were) requested to respond for the discovery of a deceased male,” said Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek. “We are conducting an investigation with the cooperation of the Lehigh campus police department and I personally pronounced Mr. Reid deceased at the scene.”

Garrett and his younger brother, Britt, each had drug problems in the past.

He and Britt were arrested on drug charges after two separate traffic accidents in 2007. Garrett Reid was imprisoned off and on through 2009.

Garrett Reid had rebounded from his troubled past and was assisting the Eagles’ strength coaches at camp. Many of the coaches stay in the Lehigh dorms.

Lehigh University campus police block off a road leading to the Sayre Park dorms that house Philadelphia Eagles players and support staff, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012, in Bethlehem, Pa. Garrett Reid, son of Eagles coach Andy Reid, was found dead in his dorm room early Sunday morning. (AP Photo/Chris Post)

“This is a tough morning for all of us in the Eagles family,” Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said. “Garrett grew up with this team and this makes this news even harder for us to process.”

In his early 20s, Garrett Reid said he “got a thrill” out of being a drug dealer in a lower-income neighborhood just a few miles from his parents’ suburban Villanova mansion.

“I liked being the rich kid in that area and having my own high-status life,” Reid told a probation officer, according to court testimony in November 2007. “I could go anywhere in the `hood. They all knew who I was. I enjoyed it. I liked being a drug dealer.”

At his sentencing hearing, Garrett Reid told the judge: “I don’t want to die doing drugs. I don’t want to be that kid who was the son of the head coach of the Eagles, who was spoiled and on drugs and OD’d and just faded into oblivion.”

Andy Reid, the father of five, took a leave of absence from the Eagles during the 2007 offseason to spend more time with his family. Reid is in his 14th season in Philadelphia. He’s led the Eagles to nine playoff appearances, six NFC East titles, five conference championship games and one Super Bowl loss.

“We’ve been with Andy for a long time. He’s always been strong for us; we’re going to be strong for him right now,” Roseman added. “As a father and a friend, we’re all hurting.”

Eagles star quarterback Michael Vick said via Twitter before the team’s practice on Sunday: “My condolences go out to Coach Reid and his family. Stay strong and we LOVE you coach.”

My condolences go out to Coach Reid and his family. Stay strong and we LOVE you coach.

— Mike Vick (@MikeVick) August 5, 2012

Safety Kurt Coleman also tweeted: “Prayers and condolences go out. May God protect us and serve us in this time of need.”

Prayers and condolences go out. May God protect us and serve us in this time of need.

— Kurt Coleman (@k4coleman) August 5, 2012

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Comments (39)

Whiplash
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 9:49am
Such sadness. No parent should lose a child. My deepest sympathy to Coach Reid, family and the Eagles organization, and coming from a Redskin’s fan, I want to beat the Eagles, but not because of such a tragic event.
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LetsBeSmartAboutThis
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 3:58am
Condolences to Coach Andy Reid, his family, and the entire Eagles organization. No parent should have to bury a child.

Sad.
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Apple Bite
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 3:21am
Such a troubled past for Garrett. He couldn’t get a way from his demons.
Condolences to Andy Reid and family….
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JayVee
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 8:17pm
The Reids are Mormon
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- Gumbercules
  Posted on August 5, 2012 at 8:41pm
  Thanks for pointing out that fact that has aboslutely nothing to do with this story.
  
  My condolensces go out to the Reid family.
  Report Post »
- Pheonix1901
  Posted on August 5, 2012 at 10:31pm
  Agreed Gumber
  Report Post »
- ERP
  Posted on August 6, 2012 at 10:12am
  I’m a Philadelphia “4 For 4” fan. I clicked on this story just hoping that some idiot wouldn’t say something really dumb.
  
  @JayVee, thanks for being that idiot.
  
  Andy Reid, my heart and prayers go out to you, your family and anybody else who grieves the loss of your son. God Bless.
  Report Post »
- normalmom
  Posted on August 6, 2012 at 12:47pm
  so what?
  Report Post »
starman70
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 7:24pm
As a football fans, my wife and I extend our sympathy to Coacjh Reid and his family. Coach Reid and his family are in our prayers.
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smokeysmoke
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 5:00pm
this is sad… andy reid’s children have had drug problems in the past…
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CherokeeSmiles
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 4:48pm
Goldline_SCAM….. Your attitude is very akin to Adam Smith-Fillet: totally intolerant and ignorant. Apparently you have learned nothing from your kissing cousin’s mistake. How about toning it down a little. We are all entitled to our own beliefs. Nobody died and made you the judge. If you don’t like it, just shut up and say something to the common good. Nobody wants to hear your drivel.
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badgesjacksonSOUNDEDcool
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 4:33pm
@GOLDLINE_SCAM I never realized how unhappy George Carlin was. I liked him on “Thomas and Friends.” Praying for Andy Reid and family, for God to give them comfort and peace ASAP.
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CherokeeSmiles
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 3:50pm
@Goldline_SCAM – the kind folks offering to pray for the family are acting out of compassion. Something I imagine you don’t know anything about.
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- Goldline_scam
  Posted on August 5, 2012 at 5:09pm
  I’m sure that historically, all those that were burned at the stake, tortured, and killed because they were “heretics” and “unbelievers” were being treated with compassion by their tormentors.
  
  And in the Old Testament, when god said it was OK to sell your daughters into slavery … I’m sure they were all treated with compassion as well.
  
  Now while you’re thinking about that, go have a Chick-Fil-A with extra hate sauce.
  Report Post »
- barber2
  Posted on August 5, 2012 at 6:17pm
  GOLD: another Troll ? The Democrats must be getting nervous and angry to go along with the arrogant .
  Report Post »
- ERP
  Posted on August 6, 2012 at 10:15am
  @Goldline_scam
  
  First of all, your username and avatar screams lame @$$ troll.
  
  Second, are you a member of Westboro Baptist Church because you sure read like one.
  
  Third, find your soul and add some meaning to what is otherwise a pretty useless life.
  
  Fourth, idiot.
  Report Post »
Ironmaan
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 3:45pm
Kurt Coleman should realize that God doesn’t “serve” us WE serve him.
http://guerillatics.com
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Classicmustangmo
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 3:29pm
We would like to pray for their family and feel for their loss at this time of tragedy. Our prayers are with you and your family.
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tothepoint
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 3:20pm
God bless Garrett and God bless those who love him.
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marcus_arealius
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 3:14pm
I think I heard or read that Harry Reid and Chuck Upchuck Schumer were seen leaving the room before sunrise.. I think they should account for their whereabouts.
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- JACKTHETOAD
  Posted on August 5, 2012 at 3:47pm
  They better keep a close eye on the body too. Michael Vick’s dogs might be hungry.
  Report Post »
- Verceofreason
  Posted on August 5, 2012 at 4:02pm
  From what I read, the his room was littered with Chick-Fil-A bags and wrappers.
  Report Post »
dadsrootbeer
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 3:01pm
Coach should have left Philadelphia when he had the chance. Its a very ugly place to raise a family. I
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- Butters66
  Posted on August 5, 2012 at 6:35pm
  Generalize much?
  
  Philadelphia is the 4th largest market in the United States. They are all bad people? I am from there, well the suburbs, and had a beautiful childhood with loving parents and great community.
  
  People who are troubled and addicts will find their vices, doesn’t matter what city or state they are from.
  Report Post »
- ERP
  Posted on August 6, 2012 at 10:19am
  @dadsrootbeer
  
  Wow, just another person who knows nothing about Philadelphia except what the main stream media has to say about it. Who the hell are you to say Philadelphia is an ugly place to raise a family? If you have any ounce of intellectual honesty (which you don’t) then you would also point out that Detroit, Camden, Los Angeles, New York, Baltimore, Washington D.C. are also “ugly” places to raise a family.
  
  Don’t be a tool.
  Report Post »
Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 2:24pm
Shouldn’t this story be on ESPN?
Especially in the “SPECULATION” stage…. . . . .

C’mon……
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JQCitizen
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 2:13pm
Very sad. No parent should see their child’s life cut short. Praying for these folks.
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- Gonzo
  Posted on August 5, 2012 at 3:15pm
  If it’s a choice between being a happy delusional who believes the Bible or bitter jackass like you…I’ll stay delusional.
  Report Post »
- tothepoint
  Posted on August 5, 2012 at 3:22pm
  There are those who care about the deceased and their families and then there are those who take this opportunity to push their religion of atheism on others through ridicule.
  So sad.
  Report Post »
- hi
  Posted on August 5, 2012 at 3:29pm
  @G
  Prayer is mainly fellowship with one’s Creato and thanking Him rather than asking for things. Once we submit to “God’s Will be done“ instead of ”My Will,” we are more Christ-like and closer to Him.
  I would prAy that the family’s pain is eased.
  Report Post »
- GoodStuff
  Posted on August 5, 2012 at 3:48pm
  @Goldline_scam
  
  You sound like a pleasant person. No, not really.
  Report Post »
- Goldline_scam
  Posted on August 5, 2012 at 4:09pm
  PS – Send money
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RT6rL2UroE
  Report Post »
- HorseDancer
  Posted on August 5, 2012 at 4:12pm
  GONZO . . . It gets worse. Preliminary reports suggest the kid had been crapping in his pants for a week. I don’t know what would possess a guy to do that, do you? Wait, of course you don’t, your hero is THE NUGE!!!! Motor City Halfman!
  
  Oh, if only everybody could rank so high on the manly scale of turgid patriotism. Run for office Uncle Ted! We need you. Well, I need you. And Gonzo needs you. He needs you real bad.
  Report Post »
- OneTermPresident
  Posted on August 5, 2012 at 4:47pm
  @GOLDLINE_SCAM… As an outsider, how do you feel about the human race?
  
  Do they kick compassion to the curb in your family when there’s a death in your family… or don’t they bother to notify you?
  
  My condolences to the Reid family at this extremely tough time. Grant them the strength they’ll need as a family to get through this Lord.. I ask and pray. .
  Report Post »
- Wango
  Posted on August 5, 2012 at 5:02pm
  GONZO . . . Right! Where are the manly men?
  Report Post »
thegreatcarnac
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 2:10pm
Philadelphia???? What do you expect?
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- Butters66
  Posted on August 5, 2012 at 6:38pm
  Hey, lets make another stupid general statement:
  
  Mormons, what else do expect? Or did you not know the Reids are devout Mormons and Andy played football at BYU?
  Report Post »
- ERP
  Posted on August 6, 2012 at 10:21am
  @thegreatcarnac
  
  Thanks for adding your name to the list of know nothing idiots. Now take your place in line.
  Report Post »
canadianlady
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 2:09pm
How very sad.
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