Eagles Coach Andy Reid's Oldest Son, Garrett, Found Dead
BETHLEHEM, Pa. (CBS/AP) - Garrett Reid, the oldest son of Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid, was found dead Sunday morning in his room at the club's training camp at Lehigh University. He was 29.
The police chief at Lehigh, Edward Shupp, said a 911 call was made at 7:20 a.m., and that Garrett Reid was deceased upon a policeman's arrival at the campus dormitory.
"There were no suspicious activities," said Shupp, who said a cause of death had not been determined.
The Eagles practiced after gathering for a team prayer, but Andy Reid was not present. Assistants Marty Mornhinweg and Juan Castillo ran the team's walkthrough, and will oversee the team until Reid returns.
"This is a tough morning for all of us in the Eagles family," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said. "Garrett grew up with this team and this makes this news even harder for us to process."
The death comes after years of drug problems involving Reid's sons, Garrett, and younger brother, Britt
(see related story).
Garrett Reid had rebounded from his troubled past and was assisting the Eagles' strength coaches at camp. He and Britt were arrested on drug charges after two separate traffic accidents in 2007. Garrett Reid was imprisoned off and on through 2009.
"We've been with Andy for a long time. He's always been strong for us; we're going to be strong for him right now," Roseman said. "As a father and a friend, we're all hurting."
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said, "This news is heartbreaking for everyone in the Eagles family. Our hearts go out to Andy, his wife, Tammy, and their children."
Eagles statement on Garrett Reid:
The Philadelphia Eagles are sad to announce that Garrett Reid, the oldest son of head coach Andy Reid, has died. Garrett Reid, 29, had been attending Eagles training camp with his father and was found in his room this morning. Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and defensive coordinator Juan Castillo oversaw the team's walk-through this morning, and will oversee the team until Reid's return.
"This news is heartbreaking for everyone in the Eagles family. Our hearts go out to Andy, his wife, Tammy, and their children," said Eagles Chairman/CEO Jeffrey Lurie.
The team will share further updates as information becomes available.
Transcript of Press Conference Announcing Death Of Garrett Reid:
Philadelphia Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman, Lehigh Campus Chief of Police Edward Shupp and Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek Press Conference
General Manager Howie Roseman Statement:
"Good morning. I have some heartbreaking news to share with you all. It is with great sadness that I tell you that Garrett Reid, the oldest son of Coach [Andy] Reid, was found dead this morning in his room here at training camp. This is a tough morning for all of us in the Eagles family. Garrett grew up with this team and this makes this news even harder for us to process. Our hearts go out to Andy, [wife] Tammy, [sons] Britt, Spencer, [daughters] Crosby and Drew Ann. Coach has spent the morning informing his family. We ask sincerely that you respect the family's privacy during this time. The team has been informed of this news, as have [Chairman/CEO] Jeffrey [Lurie] and Christina [Weiss Lurie]. The chief will speak to you in a minute about what is known about this event. From a football perspective, I can tell you that Andy has asked that we go forward with training camp. I'm going to turn it over to [Lehigh University Police] Chief [Edward] Shupp in a minute. On a personal note, we've been with Andy for a long time. He's always been strong for us. We're going to be strong for him right now. As a father and a friend, we're all hurting. Thank you."
Lehigh University Chief of Police Edward Shupp Statement:
"Good morning. I am Chief Edward Shupp from Lehigh University Police Department. This morning at approximately 7:20 am, officers received a 9-1-1 call about an unresponsive male in the Sayre Park dormitories. Upon arrival it was observed that attempts were made to revive the individual and it was unsuccessful. The individual, Garrett Reid, was deceased upon the officer's arrival. There were no suspicious activities. At this time however I will turn it over to the coroner who will be handling that part of the investigation. Coroner Zachary Lysek."
Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek Statement:
"Good morning. What I can tell you is this morning we were contacted by the Lehigh University Police Department and requested to respond for the discovery of a deceased male. We are conducting an investigation with the cooperation of the Lehigh University Police Department, and I personally pronounced Mr. [Garrett] Reid deceased at the scene. The investigation will be ongoing and at this time will be pending the completion of the investigation."
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