Champion Coach Loses with Addiction

Written by Lorraine on August 16, 2012

Drugs claim the lives of husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, daughters and sons. The Philadelphia Eagles are mourning the loss of a family member too. Eagles coach Andy Reid lost his 29 year old son, Garrett Reid, to drugs. Although he wasn’t on the roster, he helped out the team as an unofficial strength coach and was on the sideline of most of the games.

Reid had struggled with substance abuse for most of his life. Although he lived a very privileged life (living in a mansion), he admitted to enjoying the rush he got from visiting drug infested lower income neighborhoods. He was seen as a hero in these neighborhoods as he provided drugs to the residents. He simply stated, “I like being a drug dealer.” Unfortunately, this wild life came at a cost. He went to prison for two years in 2007 for a high-speed car crash while he was high on heroin that injured another driver. Even though he had so much ahead of him, his addiction led him straight to his death.

This isn’t the first time that the NFL has suffered a loss. Miami Dolphins coach Joe Philbin lost his 21 year-old son due to driving under the influence of marijuana when he drowned in a river.

For Coach Reid, it is a sad day; but a wake-up call as his other son Britt who is also struggling with addiction. Hopefully there is something learned from this tragedy and Britt decides to seek addiction treatment at a drug rehab program. It may be too late for his brother but he can still turn his life around before the Reid family suffers more heartache.

Recovery Connection can help families struggling with addiction by linking them to the best drug rehab centers in the country. Don’t let your family suffer the same pain. Call Recovery Connection at 866-879-6715.

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