Temple feels Andy's pain

ON SUNDAY, two members of the Temple football program lost a member of their family, way too soon. So how do you come to grips with that? On Monday, the Owls began their second training camp under coach Steve Addazio, who on Tuesday will have a funeral to attend.

"It's been a tough couple of days, as all of you could imagine," said Addazio, who some 24 hours earlier learned of the death of 29-year-old Garrett Reid, son of Eagles coach Andy and brother to Britt, an Owls' graduate assistant, and Spencer, a redshirt freshman running back.

"Our hearts and prayers just go out to the Reid family. Obviously, we have Spence here and Britt. We're all very close. It's just tragic events. Your heart breaks. I don't even know what else you can say beyond that.

"[Andy Reid is] such a wonderful guy, a tremendous person ... Some guys here are absolutely upset. It's hard. I'm probably not sure how exactly what to say or do or respond, other than just let them know that you're thinking of them and that's it. Everyone does [grieve their own way]. The hardest thing is often times you don't know what to say, you know what I mean? Because, really, what can you say? You can say nothing."

Addazio is a father, too. He said he can't even begin to fathom what Andy is going through.

"Nope," Addazio said, slowly. "You certainly find yourself thinking about that, but no.

"If I did, I'd start crying ... no."

Some of Spencer's teammates naturally were experiencing the same feelings.

"Your heart goes out to them and their family," quarterback Chris Coyer said. "That's just a tough situation. They're in our prayers and thoughts. I've been fortunate [not to have gone through something like that], growing up ...

"When we're out there in practice, the focus is on football. That's all there is right now."

Added Matt Brown, who plays the same position as Spencer: "How would you feel if you lost your brother? I've got a lot of love for Spencer. I sent him a text message. He's like my bro', my fellow running back.

"We communicate ... It's just hard."