Was Andy Reid wrong for not acknowledging Eagles fans?
Andy Reid's 14-year tenure with the Eagles came to an end on Monday, and Reid has yet to address the city of Philadelphia or, more importantly, its fans.
Was Andy Reid wrong for not acknowledging Eagles fans?
Justin Klugh, Assistant Sports Producer
It's been a long year.
And as fans, we'd like some recognition.
Sure, we don't put in any of the training, workouts, long flights, missed time with loved ones or risk of horrible injury that the athletes do. But we ARE the ones who've had our emotions worn down to a nub, without millions of dollars to console ourselves.
The point is, even a minor acknowledgement of what we do--the clapping, the screaming, the StubHub scouring, the quickly minimizing of live streamed games when a supervisor pops into the cubicle--goes a long way.
Andy Reid's 14-year tenure with the Eagles came to an end on Monday, and Reid has yet to address the city of Philadelphia or, more importantly, its fans.
So assuming he's got his hands full being chased by helicopters and will eventually pen an eloquent exit speech, here are the class acts Reid will be following:
Shane Victorino
Casualty of a loss-induced fire sale, Shane bought the traditional full page ad in the paper, giving Philly a final, tear-stained "Mahalo."
The mainstay firecracker of a centerfielder was the first real foundation to buckle as the Phillies moved further and further from 2008. But in one last moment before he headed off to L.A., he helped us remember why we were so sad he was gone.
Hunter Pence
Hunter Pence, however, scarpered out of town quietly, using an awkwardly scheduled bobblehead night to say good bye weeks later. The note on the back of the box was nice, but it was then that we remembered--had he really only been here for one year? Maybe we are a little melodramatic.
Andre Iguodala
Iggy wrote a heartfelt letter to the fans on his personal web site. Days later, he characterized Philly sports fans as lunatics who consider a slam dunk appropriate penance for a human murder. But hey, whatever, he said the nice thing first.
Plus, we got Andrew Bynum! How can we lose!
Brian Dawkins
Of course, one of the most beloved Eagles of all time got to retire as one, despite that little experiment as a Bronco that we can just pretend didn't happen. In an emotional farewell at the NovaCare Center, B-Dawk stood with old hats like Jeffrey Lurie, former teammates like Donovan McNabb, and awe-struck fans who in the tenure of his career became Eagles themselves like Vinny Curry.
An appropriately choked-up moment for the collective who was saddest to see him go.
Eric Lindros
The first time the former Flyers captain sad good bye, there was a lot more rigid, uncomfortable silence. But when he was invited to play in the Winter Classic alumni game in 2011, we got a second shot at Lindros that we never thought we'd get.
He even gave Bobby Clarke the time of day, in a case of earth-shattering appeasement that nobody in this town had even bothered to fantasize about. When he stepped out on the ice, the crowd exploded--proving that we may be overly "passionate," or whatever adjective they're using to describe us amidst snickers this week, but we can appreciate the rarity of a higly coveted second chance.
Comments (49)
want to give it a week perhaps? or do you really need the fullpage ad revenue so paychecks clear?— rodnougat- Good luck, you will look great in red, Andy!— BirdinParadise
- who the hell cares about him,the chiefs or whether he acknowledges us fans...he's no longer here,thankfully,so let's all move on...he's history and i have no interest in what he would have to say,which would be about a quart of balloon juice...— jabac
- These players did it from their heart nit because there was an expectation. Plus these are players. They are who the fans come to see. Last time I checked, I didn't see fans at the game in black fat suits holding a clipboard and wearing a headset. I think you're being melodramatic.— Phillies2008WSChamps
- "Vinny Curie" ? What the hell are the literary qualifications to write for this publication beyond having Grade 3 spelling and 1/7th the knowledge of the half soused rabble that congregate outside the games? Wow.......All the best to Reid..He doesn't owe the fans anything it was a good ride while it lasted...Next!— PhillyMike5959
- I doubt you'll see anything from Reid. He's not deaf or blind and he's quite the spiteful man who probably holds a deep grudge against the fans. Of course, he'll never blame himself. His silence will be his way of saluting the fans -- with his middle finger.— ghost of callison
- Reid didn't give the fans the time-of-day for 14 years while he was here. Why expect anything different now?— Boru
- ghost of callison:
It's really funny listening to a slobbering Eagles fan call Reid spiteful on a message board.— p-diddy - You have pretty good hearing, through a keyboard and all. Can you see the slobber through the monitor? I guess you hear and see what you want.
— road515 - Run, Andy.... run away!!— road515
- Let it go for crying out loud. Andy was the first coach hired four days after being let go from the Eagles. Believe it or not, Andy was and still is a very good coach. Lets move on and let the big man be. Get a life.— Bigmowash
- My life is interesting keeping tabs on Andy Reid. Without a doubt, one of the more riveting stories of the year. I don't believe Reid is that good at all. Read Jason Whitlock at Fox Sports...good article. — road515
- @p-diddy: Thank you for your input, Mrs. Reid. I guess you know "slobbering", having to sit across the dinner table from your morbidly obese husband.— ghost of callison
- After a couple of years coaching there, I can see Andy's new title:
since it's called Arrowhead Stadium, he will be the "Bonehead"
of Arrowhead!
I'll never forget his genius calls of punting the ball
away in a playoff game against New Orleans when Jeff
Garcia had just completed a 4th down throw for a first
down with like 2 minutes left in the game, that a penalty
negated then Reid punted, when the defensive hadn't stop
New Orleans all day? Trotter had started to show his age?
And of course having Akers try a long field goal in
a cold blustery playoff game just a few years ago
against Green Bay, on 4th down and a little less
than a yard, when you have the BEST RB in football,
and the best running QB maybe ever?? I mean the wind
must of been 15 to 25 miles an hour? I mean
even an idiot knows you have much better odds of
getting that one yard on the GB defense, then
a long filed goal in gusty wind???— mikey48 - wait, he always said we were the best fans in the league at his pressers. Why does he need to thank us? WIP morons drove him out town.— palmyra21
Most coaches with class make it a point to have a final press conference and/or address the fans. Which means, of course, Reid............................won't.- Actually sounds like as Philly fans and our media just won a hollow victory and did not get the chance to spike the football and do our horse dance. Hell even the so called fans reps are upset at how quickly Andy bounced back, don't let the chiefs be successful hell get fixed and no win a superbowl...this town will be embarrassed...so look what the idiots just did, run every one out of town and now the hollow victory just set in, no one is running to coach here and the anointed foles won 1 game in 7 starts heck even kolb was better...sucks being an eagles fan at the moment...— jameslaka
- At first I was upset that he didn't say anything but then I realized that he never said anything except cliches and lies for 14 years.
It would have been a bland, dry statement that giving us nothing.
Bottom line is he was a good coach for many years but the league caught up to his system. He has ZERO chance of winning a Super Bowl in KC so I really dont care what he has to say.— Four4Four - David Akres put up a thank you message on a big billboard next to one of the expressways in town.
But I really don't care if Reid says anything to the fans. I appreciate what he accomplished during his early years, but I've been dying for the team to have a fresh start for a few years and am thrilled that he's gone. Why should a guy who I'm thrilled to see go owe me a thank you?— phlmaestro - Good riddance! I am simply thrilled he is gone. Who cares about the guy who was NOT the best Eagles coach ever. See ya.— Fire_Andy
- Don't forget Pat Burrell's full page ad— ucircus
- What about David Akers taking a full billboard ad on I-95 thanking the fans? That is a class act, by a class guy.— kdbned
After reading countless negative postings by the 'fans' directed personally at Andy Reid, why on earth would he feel compelled to utter anything but two words to the kindest, gentlest, most understanding and forgiving fans on the planet earth?- huh? stupid question. stfu and let go— raoool
- grow up sport!— Bobby Danger
- I feel that his silence is a perfect reflection of the relationship between Reid and the Fans. Im surprised that Howard Eskin hasnt taken a page on the Daily news for him! I think he was the only one in town that truly admired Reid. Most fans now know he was a product of JJohnson and other good Assistant coaches, a good QB and RB. When it was left to him to run the entire show and allow talented coaches to leave, his true talent showed. Glad we can move on and try once again to find some reason to watch these games with true interest. The man has no class!— RAM1162
- Thanks for showing your 14 years of appreciation to the fans Andy. Enjoy the beef in KC. Do what you do best Andy. Eat and gain weight.— Pete60
- Thanks for showing your 14 years of appreciation to the fans Andy. Enjoy the beef in KC. Do what you do best Andy. Eat and gain weight.— Pete60
- palmyra21, you r a 100% right! I would like to know the avg IQ of the callers— dwilly
- Only if he wants to give his restaruant recommendatons, he can't talk about the Super Bowl (he never won).— STEPHEN1988
- Reid doesn't owe the "fans" anything. They, with the egging on of the nitwits on WIP, have been as vile toward Andy the last couple years as any sports figure in Philly history. The personal attacks againt him and hs family were over the top. Then, WIP and especialy Michael Barkan and Cataldi expect him to act as if nothing happened? The only thing I hope he gives Eagle fans is a SuperBowl in Kansas City. They deserve no less.— Russ
- Who cares what he has to say. Good riddance to the arrogant, stubborn, stupid Big Red.— chocolatethunder
- can everybody in Philly media stop covering Andy Reid at this point. it's over, let's move on people! birds fans are more concerned with who the next HC is...... thr wrong move will set them back ten years!— cmon man
- Why in the world would he want to acknowledge anyone here with the way he was run out of town? Morons like Marcus Hayes and their brainless mob followers made his life hell. All of the clichés about Philly fans that I grew up hearing about but always tried to deny were in full force this season. Lurie will go through 2 or 3 more coaches before giving up in disgust and selling the team in 10 years. There will be a lot of regret and wistfulness about Reid and the way he was run out of town; in fact you're already starting to see it by the way the media refuse to let go.— lefty1117
- We will win a SB before Andy. In fact Andy will never win one. All you Reid apologists should go buy KC jerseys and enjoy another 14 years of his BS.— Fire_Andy
- The Eagles had a legitimate chance to win a Super Bowl in 2005. The next chance will probably come around in 2030. With RGIii, the Skins will own us for years to come. Reid may not a Super Bowl in KC, but he will turn the Chiefs around very quickly. — paukh
- Akers had a nice billboard on 95 right by the stadium exit. Now he's in SF with his job at risk and getting death threats. But Philly has the bad rep?— burholme
- Andy hates all of us.— sore richard
- Andy Reid has mentioned in the past that he thinks Philadelphia and its fans are great. I think he was a little too busy this week in reaching an agreement to become head coach of the Chiefs in exchange for a couple of currency loaded Brinks trucks. Reid has better things to do then reminisce about the past. Good luck, Big Red. Better days are ahead!— paukh
- Let me make sure I understand this. Philly fans and media have booed, demanded he be fired, rip every decesion he's made on sports radio, and attacked him personally for the past 14 years. He's delivered one of the best records in football since 2000. His first losing season in years and he's ran out of town without a second thought. Now you have the nerve to demand he thank everyone. Wow what a delusional fan base. The truth is we stoppd showing up at games and caring once we realized the playoffs were not happening this year. We should really stop telling everyone how loyal we are, and how we are true sports fans, because it's not true. Were ungrateful front runners and that's it.— AngryGregR
- Another reality check for Philly fans. Andy didn't blow the big games by himself. His QB continually tightened up and threw interception after interception in big games. Remember the Super Bowl, Ram,Buc's & Panther games? And how the beloved Jim Johnson's Defense and the almighty B-Dawk got trucked in the Super Bowl and the Cardinals games. FACT. It's kind of funny how time management and the two minute offense worked when QB's not named McNabb and Vick were playing in '06 and this year. Philly deserves another Buddy Ryan type who was big on talk, low on class and fell short in results.— AngryGregR
- Your left out the billboard that David Akers posted thanking Eagles fans after he signed with the 49ers.— rjw817
- The way Eagles fans treated Andy Reid, he owes them nothing, but it would have been a nice gesture for him to rise above the crowd and make a heartfelt goodbye speech. But do we really want to hear "I'm sorry that I never brought you a Super Bowl championship"? Nah, I don't think so. Have a nice time in Kansas City, Andy. I hear that they have lots of all you can eat BBQ places there.— SteveS11
- Eagles fans did not treat Andy badly at all. He is just not a good coach anymore, and he always was overrated. I think many Eagles fans appreciate the good years, but it was time for him to go.— matthew76
- I heard Andy had a clause put in his Chief contract allowing him to talk disrespectfully to the media/fans. The same one he got Lurie to put in his Eagles contract. I also heard he named his son Britt Director of Player Personnel and asst team fitness coach.— AlwaysRight
- The reason Reid OWED the fans an acknowledgement is the same reason he OWED us some information in his press conferences: we PAY for the entire football/sports circus, either from sales of tickets and gear, or from television/advertising money which is funded by the fans buying the advertisiers products, beer, etc. We are PAYING the salaries of Reid & the players, Lurie's debt payments, etc. Yes, Reid OWED us information in the press conferences, owed and an acknowledgement on his way out of town. He will owe the same to Kansas City fans. We put all that $$$$ in his bank account. But he never got that, and still doesn't get it.— jimmcc
- I don't see why!?A Most of the the recent games he was Boo'ed! Fire Him, !He stinks...Instead of All of Us Wishing Him the Best! We Did the Opposite did we not?
He was here for 14 years and gave his best ..I would suppose..However,
he also deserved a better Goodbye! So then why should he have any more
compassion for us I am sure he was hurt! too ...I his intention was not to lose games...
If you want to blame any one blame Laurie for not making changes long ago....So Yes I do Wish Andy a healthy future with his new team... and so should you all~ So No I don't think he had to suck it up and say goodbye— tajicat - It's over. For better or worse its over. Move on.— Cactusclarke
- I am not sure why Andy Reid owes the city a news conference...and if he would provide one he would use the same platitudes that he has used for a long time. Would it be to hear a rerun to remind us how he related to people outside of the team or what? What would be the point for him to hold a news conference anyway? What we know is he is gone...and we wish him well, but it was time for all to be parted. It was no longer working...so just let him saunter off into the sunset and to another team. Goodbye Andy...thanks for the memories, good luck with your new team. Forget the news conference, we could have told you what you were going to say anyway.— 5thstrretpast
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