Reid Reacts to Report on Son's Death
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Reid Reacts to Report on Son's Death
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Eagles coach Andy Reid issued a statement on behalf of his family Thursday following the release of the Northampton County coronor's report on the death of his son Garrett at training camp in Bethlehem on Aug. 5.
"These results sadly confirmed what we had expected all along. We understood that Garrett’s long-standing battle with addiction was going to be difficult. He will, however, always have our family’s love and respect for the courage he showed in trying to overcome it. In the end, we take comfort in our faith and know that he’s in a better place. We miss Garrett. We miss his smile, his laugh, and his energy and we will forever love him.
“There are many other individuals and families engaged in this struggle in their own lives, and they will always have our support, encouragement, and understanding. Never give up!”
Coroner Zachary Lysek ruled that Garrett Reid, 29, died of an accidental heroin overdose, which is consistent with what the Reid family said in the days following his death. Garrett Reid was assisting the Eagles' strength and conditioning coaches at training camp.
Comments (44)
SAD........— nuggett- Drugs are bad.— fire fighter
- Going after Andy Reid on football matters is fair game, posters should be respectful with their comments on the loss of his son.— Carlos2
- Carlos - Thanks for writing that and agree 1000%— CupOrBust
Use heroin once and you become physically addicted.— HappyBob- May God bless the Reid family...— 4friedchickensandacoke
- From a Dallas Cowboy fan, my heartfelt thoughts go out to you, Big Red and your entire family. This is much bigger than a game. Very sad.— Bobby V
So surprising. not.— Ben Fan- such an insightful comment... not! — defroe
- Wolf, you are the most speculative poster out there. Must suck to live a life like that...constantly speculating on stuff you don't know.
- May God be with the Reid family in what still is a difficult time.— oharabri
- why is it your job to point out anything with your oppinion on andy reids parenting. do you have kids? some times its not bad parenting some times kids just do as they please some times they just wont listen. based on the fact he had them working with the team it looks like he was trying to lead them in the right direction. reid is a football coach in the nfl how much more of a role model do you need... dont judge if you really dont know all the details lonewolf10... judge him on football at least there you know all the details in the case of his son what the hell do you really know you disrespectful a##— defroe
- You are narrow-minded. The details are very clear. It's impossible that the family catastrophes that have occurred over years have not affected this team. The distractions, turmoil and soap operas continue and that has a debilitatin affect on the coaching and players. And by the way if you think having a drug house operating out of your home, run by adult "children", isn't bad parenting you are most definitely the a##. — Bob1
- so let me get this straigt a##jack you think reids family problems are causing the professional sports team issues? and you said it your self adult being the key word. they are adults meaning what they do with there lives after they are grown has nothing to do with reid and all to do with there own bad decisions. talk trash about his coaching sure but to talk trash about his parenting when his kids are grown adults and can make there own decisions is absurd... — defroe
- This comment has been deleted.— Dew Schbag
- Yes! When your in the public eye, it comes with territory. When your picture is on the scoreboard of Eagles AND Phillies games, and there is a moment of silence, I would say the public needs to know. Maybe it will stop some kids from trying the stuff. — watsonmr
- why is their focus on who his suppliers were instead of who he was supplying?
any comment from NFL Security regarding violation by letting a convicted dealer and drug access work for the team/live in the dorm/access the players/doing bed checks. What does this say about the coach and owners lack of judgment?— AlwaysRight - @Always Right: very fair questions. Very disturbing.— dasher
- You are the worst type of person. To comment after a tragedy with negativity about reid or some sort of racism. Be a compassionate human being! What is wrong with you wolf?
Prayers again for the Reid family, especially Garrett.
“Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.” ~C.S. Lewis
— The2ndMostInterestingManInTheWorld - very sad— jamarder
- very sad— jamarder
- It's a shame this had to be made public for some reason.— Phillies2008WSChamps
- I agree with AlwaysRight. You can have all the compassion in the world for Garrett Reid and his parents, and still wonder about the lapses by team management that allowed him to bring -- I quote from the report -- "47 syringes and needles in a gym bag, as well as 19 vials of an unknown substance" into his team-provided living quarters. I would like to know whether the Eagles have instituted or will institute any new procedures for training camp to prevent this kind of thing.
— Dave Clemens - Philly.com pull these comments. Some of these posters need to crawl back under the rock they crawled out from.— syddan26
- Accidental LOL !!! There is nothing accidental about shooting heroin !!!!— AJL99
- syddan: Sorry your tender sensibilities are so offended by people who have more to say -- civilly and reasonably -- than "our thoughts and prayers are with the Reids." I personally think philly.com should pull comments by posters who compare other people to insects.— Dave Clemens
- Coroner Zachary Lysek needs to do a better job.— power808
- How do you respond to a post ?— clobal
- Coroner Zachary Lysek needs to do a better job.— power808
- Drugs are a curse on this society. God help us.— J5player
- Do you understand that a convicted felon can't get a job cleaning the toilets for the Eagles under NFL Security Rules let alone be asst "(un)fitness" coach, living in the players dorm, doing bed checks, access to the locker room and trainer's supplies, etc.? Garrett had 19 viles of some unknown drug that hadnt been tested after 60 days? Does anyone believe that? because it can be tested in 24 hrs by the FBI labs. Was it steroids? He had a combined total of over 100 syringes and needles. They left out how much cash he had. He said under oath he was a drug dealer and actually liked how that made him popular everywhere he went. I can say on behalf of the 3 friends who died from overdose last year - who cares when a drug dealer dies?— AlwaysRight
- My prayers go out to Tammy and Coach Andy Reid and family!Even though, I am married with no children , I can understand your pain because,my father fatally overdosed on drugs, and , I have lost a relationship with my sister over her drug usage and the psychosis that is associated with it ! The Reid family should not be judged by the actions of one of their children! None of us live in glass houses so, we cannot cast any stones!The bottom line is simple, humans have a free will to chose, but with those choices comes consequences!The Reid family deserves our prayers and compassion instead of judgement and idle gossip!— JimiJaco
- 47 needles and 19 vials of unknown substance. Garrett was working with the players in strength training. I think you know where this is heading. Designer steroid or HGH. Are players on the Eagles juicing with an undetectable new drug. Most heroin users use the same needle for more than one shot. If you are not sharing you are not going to pick up HIV or hepatitis. This could be become a league matter rather quickly. It certainly arouses suspicion. If those vial contained a narcotic that would be indentified quickly with the testing law enforcement has. If it is a new steroid then it becomes difficult. The chemist who designs it makes it that way. Garrett could have been selling this new substance to pay for his drug habit.— Drew777
- Dont forget Andy had both boys involved with the Eagles facilities at the time of their prior arrests and convictions for heroin abuse and dealing, and yet he brought Garrett back after a number of additional convictions and probation violations?? Did NFL Security approve this? How about Banner and Laurie?— AlwaysRight
- Drew777 and AlwaysRight, these are really good points that you have brought up, that I haven't even thought about. The ramifications that could down from NFL Security on this matter could be a huge issue for the organization. The off the field stories involving the Eagles this year are something else. You have the Garrett Reid story, Banner leaving, Lurie divorcing, Reids agent trying to muscle Lurie for an extension, Lurie giving Reid what looks like an ultimatum, Castille fired before mid-season. Whats next?— watsonmr
- A father should never outlive his son, even if you don't like the dad. I saw my grandfather at my uncle's funeral. It was... difficult to see.— verve
- Verve, what you observed that was "difficult to see" was normal grief of a parent for the loss of their child - was it also "difficult to see" Andy coaching the freakin meaningless exhibition game right after his kid just died?— AlwaysRight
- Leave it to old channel 6 to spend so much time on the beginning of the news Thursday, what a fraud tv network,a family is grieving ....no not hyper 6.......anything for ratings.......as low as u can go......surprised they did not try to hype this as a snowstorm coming.....journalists,not really...low life's ,for sure— frank1121
- It is sad for the Reid family they have lost their son. As someone said, a mother and father should not outlive their child. No matter what the cause, no matter what the conditions, losing a child is a devastating thing no matter what faith, no matter what belief one may have.
I really see little value in reporting this other than to make the sting of this loss greater. We are seemingly becoming a culture of voyeurs...and at some point we are going to demand a greater civility, a kinder society that includes having our media not report all of the sordid facts. Even though Andy Reid is a public figure, I am sure he and his family deserve some distance and time to heal about the loss of their son.— 5thstrretpast - Isn't it amazing that some of the idiots on here can make comments about parenting. After raising two children there is only one thing I know for sure. You do the best you can and pray you get lucky.— Craig321
- honestly if they are adults they make their own decisions but i get your point you can only raise them to your standards once they reach a certain age they will do as they please. — defroe
- I agree with always right. These are questions that need to be asked and answered. Reid gave this job to his kid and his kid, a convicted drug dealer, with drugs on campus, had interactions with the team on a daily basis. That becomes a public issue and saftey concern. The team needs to address this. I feel bad for the Reid family that that lost their son. I do not feel bad for the adult drug dealer. He made adult choices and died. He chose to become a junkie and knew the risks. A dead junkie is a dead junkie.— newzeegal
- Jeffrey Lurie should be upset that his coach hired a known heroin addict who in turn brought heroin onto the facilities around the players and families of the Eagles organization. One more reason AR will be terminated.— Wise_Owl
- Substance abuse and chemical dependency are chronic, relapsing diseases; akin to diabetes and obesity. Some people are sicker than others. Much condolences & Godspeed to the Reid family from the island of Guam.....— GuamDoc
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Eagletarian is your home for comprehensive coverage of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Les Bowen
Daily News Staff Writer
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Daily News NFL Columnist
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