Eagles' Andy Reid returns day after son's funeral
To the surprise of few within the organization, Eagles coach Andy Reid returned to the team one day after his son's funeral to lead the team's 11 a.m. ET walkthrough and light workout on Wednesday. Reid will be on the sideline Thursday for the preseason opener against the Steelers two days after the funeral for his eldest son, Garrett Reid.
[Michael Silver: Andy Reid's family pride always on display despite son's struggles]
Owner Jeffrey Lurie said Sunday that he wouldn't be surprised if Reid came back to the team's Bethlehem, Pa., training camp by the end of the week. But indications from Reid and Lurie Tuesday were that he'd be back coaching the team for the first game of the preseason Thursday in Philadelphia against the Steelers.
"We'll see," Lurie said. "But all indications are, he probably will be [coaching Thursday]. I think what you'll see from Andy is that desire to be around another loving extended family."
Lurie reminded Reid to take his time returning to work, but wasn't surprised the coach said he'd be back with the team immediately.
> Reid left the team Sunday morning when 29-year-old Garrett Reid was discovered in a dormitory room at the Eagles' Lehigh University training camp. He issued a statement Monday that his son had lost "the battle that has been ongoing for the last eight years."
Garrett Reid was remembered as joyous by Lurie, and rambunctious by Holmgren, who said Andy Reid was the first person he ever hired and recalled family meals in San Francisco that turned into scenes out of Star Wars because of the high energy of the two family's children.
"It is in times like these that we lean on our faith, our family, our friends, and our Eagles family. We will do so in the difficult times ahead," Reid said in his statement Monday.
[Jason Cole: Eagles face tough situation following death of Andy Reid's son]
Reid has been with the Eagles since 1999, longer than any current NFL head coach has been with the same team. The Eagles went 5-11 in his first season, one of only two losing seasons -- 6-10 in 2005 -- in Reid's tenure. He has a 126-81 career record and is 10-9 in the postseason.
Eagles' owner Jeffrey Lurie, commissioner Roger Goodell, Patriots coach Bill Belichick, Saints interim head coach Joe Vitt, Browns vice president Mike Holmgren, general manager Tom Heckert, head coach Pat Shurmur and offensive coordinator Brad Childress, former 49ers and Lions head coach Steve Mariucci, Ravens coach John Harbaugh and several former and current Eagles players attended the funeral along with approximately 900 others.
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