Tragedy in Lehigh as Garrett Reid, Andy Reid's eldest son, is found dead

Garrett Reid, age 29, was found dead in a dorm room at Lehigh University.

The son of Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid was discovered in the morning on Sunday, August 5th, as many attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.  According to Lehigh University chief of police Ed Shupp, “The individual, Garrett Reid, was deceased upon the officer’s arrival.  There were no suspicious activities.”

Garrett Reid had a troubled life leading up to his tragic death Sunday.  In 2007, Reid entered a drug rehab program after being sentenced to 23 months in the county prison plus one year of probation.  The judge for his case called the Reids a “family in crisis” after searches of their home revealed illegal and prescription drugs throughout the house.

In 2009, Garrett Reid returned to prison after testing positive for narcotics when he returned to a halfway house.

Around the summer of 2010, Garrett Reid was no longer required to check into a halfway house because he’d been living clean.  Reid started to take control of his life, as he worked with the Eagles’ strength and conditioning department.  According to Reid’s obituary from his family, “He found his passion in helping others develop their physique.  To further his career, Garrett had planned to begin studies in sports management in the fall.”  It seemed as though Garrett was finally on the right path.

This unfortunately is not the first time a coach has lost a child.  In 2005, James Dungy, the then 18-year-old son of Coach Tony Dungy, was found dead in a Tampa-area apartment.  Dungy already has ties with Michael Vick and Coach Andy Reid, so after experiencing the anguish of losing a child, Dungy could probably console Reid.

No one will blame Andy Reid if he took an extended leave of absence to grieve.  According to Eagles chairmen/CEO Jeffrey Lurie, Reid just isn’t wired that way.  “I expect Andy to be coaching this week and back.  He feels that way and he is very, very focused on both his family and his profession.”

It is always heartbreaking for a father to have to bury his child.  Andy Reid will be doing so with the death of his eldest son Garrett.  It’s a sad day for the Philadelphia Eagles and for the Reid family.  For a kid who finally got his life back on track to pass away at such a young age is never fair.  My thoughts and prayers go out to the Reid family, so that they can somehow find peace as it seems Tony Dungy has did with the passing of his son.