Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and his family faced a devastating tragedy when his eldest son, Garrett Reid, lost his life in 2012.
Garrett Reid, the eldest son of Andy Reid and his longtime wife Tammy Reid, was found lifeless on Sunday morning on August 5, 2012, in his dormitory room at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
The 29-year-old Garrett Reid, who was assisting the Eagles’ strength and conditioning coach during training camp, had a troubled life that included struggle with substance use and prison times.
“For the Reid family, Andy’s first Super Bowl win was for late son, Garrett” https://t.co/qlISAPg6R5 pic.twitter.com/sSd4wqVi4E
— Joe Morris (@jspeedymorris22) February 9, 2020
According to reports, at the time the policeman arrived at the campus dormitory, Garrett Reid had already lost his life, and there were no suspicious activities.
Initially, the police couldn’t determine the actual cause of Garrett’s demise; however, later, the reports revealed that Garrett Reid lost his life due to a substance overdose.
Northampton County coroner Zachary Lysek stated a toxicology test confirmed the presence of heroin in Garrett’s body, and the autopsy found he had “acute opiate toxicity” accidentally causing his demise.
Moreover, investigators revealed they found a used syringe and spoon in Reid’s room, along with a gym bag filled with dozens of syringes and needles, many of them unopened.
Andy Reid’s wife Tammy said she was so happy Andy’s kids and 9 grandkids could be there to watch him win Super Bowl
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) February 3, 2020
But she was thinking of son Garrett, who died at Eagles training camp in 2012. She wore a ring for Garrett to the Super Bowl
“So sad. But I know he’s watching us” pic.twitter.com/12BkU3XBVb
According to Andy Reid, who was serving as the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles during the tragic incident, his eldest son Garrett, recovering from his addiction, might have had a relapse.
The Reid Family stated:
“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.”
Via NFL
Garrett Reid was born while Andy Reid finished his master’s degree in Utah in 1983.
He was involved in Eagle Scouts and piano lessons through age 18.
After the Chiefs won the Super Bowl in 2020, Andy Reid and his wife Tammy briefly addressed the demise of their oldest son, stating:
“The fact that we were all here, that was amazing, except for G, so sad, but I know he’s watching us.”
Via People
Both of Andy Reid’s Sons, Garrett and Britt Reid, Spent Time Behind Bars
The eldest son of Andy Reid was not the only one involved in substance abuse; his second son, Britt Reid, also suffered from addiction.
Back in 2007, police arrested both Britt and his late brother Garrett on various felony charges, including drunken driving and substance possession.
Chiefs assistant coach Britt Reid, son of Andy Reid, was involved in a multi-vehicle crash Thursday night that left two children injured pic.twitter.com/4yPrncrMCa
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 5, 2021
Moreover, the Court sentenced Britt and Garrett to 8 to 23 months behind bars after the road rage incident in which Britt allegedly pointed a gun at another man’s face, and Garrett caused a car accident that hospitalized a woman.
However, the Reid family settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed sum in 2014.
Britt Reid, born on April 28, 1985, in San Francisco, California, as the second son of Andy Reid and Tammy Reid, followed in his father’s footsteps in football and coaching.
He began his coaching career with St. Joseph’s Prep as an assistant offensive line 2008 and worked for his father as a practice squad coach intern 2009 with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Moreover, Britt most recently served as an outside linebackers coach for the Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL.
Following the 2020 season, his contract expired, and he didn’t get an offer for a new contract following his DWI arrest that occurred in 2021.
After spending months behind bars back in 2007, Court sentenced Britt Reid to serve three years in state prison on November 1, 2022, after pleading guilty to a felony count of driving while intoxicated, resulting in serious physical injury in 2021.
However, on March 1, 2024, the governor of Missouri, Mike Parson, commuted Reid’s sentence.
Mike Parson’s spokesperson stated:
“Mr. Reid has completed his alcohol abuse treatment program and has served more prison time than most individuals convicted of similar offense.”
Via USA Today
Britt will be under house arrest until October 31, 2025, with strict conditions of probation, including weekly meetings with a parole officer and weekly behavioral counseling attendance.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- In addition to Garret and Britt Reid, Andy Reid has a youngest son named Spencer Reid, who is pursuing a career as a football coach.
- Spencer joined the Chiefs coaching staff in 2023; before that, he served as the assistant strength and conditioning coach and interim head strength coach at Brigham Young University.
- Andy Reid and Tammy Reid are also proud parents of two daughters, Drew Ann Reid and Crosby Reid. Crosby is pursuing her music career.