Eagles coach's son found dead in dorm
BETHLEHEM — Garrett Reid, the troubled 29-year-old son of Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid, was found dead Sunday in a dorm room at the club's Lehigh University training camp, where he spends most of his summers with his father.
Police said the death was not suspicious, and the cause was under investigation. The coach's oldest son had a long history of drug problems, once admitting “I liked being a drug dealer” and went to prison for a heroin-fueled car crash.
Reid's death stunned the Eagles, who gathered for a team prayer before a morning walkthrough.
“This is a very difficult situation for us all,” quarterback Michael Vick said following practice — their first without their head coach in five years.
Owner Jeffrey Lurie met with the team Sunday and told reporters afterward he expected Reid back this week. The Eagles host the Steelers in their preseason opener Thursday night.
“There's choices to be made when tragedy happens,” Lurie said, pausing to hold back tears. “You can become stronger and even more focused and learn from it and treat life as a challenge, or you can bow down. And Andy is somebody — he said to me, ‘I'm going to hit that curveball and hit it out of the park' — and on the field and off the field. And that's the message he wanted me to have.”
The police chief at Lehigh, Edward Shupp, said a 911 call was made at 7:20 a.m. about Reid, and that the 29-year-old was dead when a policeman arrived at the campus dormitory.
The police and Northampton County coroner were investigating.
Shupp said “there were no suspicious activities.” Police didn't return later telephone calls for comment, and didn't say who found Garrett Reid or whether any clues to his death were found in his room.
Reid had been staying at the camp where he assisted the Eagles' strength coaches at camp in an unofficial capacity, a not-uncommon sort of role for NFL coaches' sons.
Saints win HOF Game
In Canton, Ohio, Drew Brees led New Orleans to a touchdown on his only series Sunday night, and the Saints beat the Arizona Cardinals, 17-10, in the Hall of Fame Game, which was officiated by a crew with college experience.
The game was canceled last year for the first time in 45 years because of the NFL's lockout of players. Labor issues also came into play in Sunday night's game — the seven officials were replacements.
Arizona quarterback Kevin Kolb threw an interception and left with bruised ribs, hurting his chances of winning the starting job.
Brees was sharp on the opening 10-play drive, completing 4-of-5 passes for 41 yards with one off-target throw.
Bears receiver retires
Chicago Bears wide receiver Devin Thomas retired.
Thomas left the Chicago Bears on Sunday and later announced his retirement. The former Washington Redskins and New York Giants player offered no immediate explanation, saying on Twitter, “I have decided to retire from the NFL.”
Thomas was trying to make the squad as a reserve receiver and special teams player. He had 43 career receptions for 482 yards and three touchdowns and averaged 24.1 yards per kick return.
Vikings receiver injured
ESPN reported that Minnesota Vikings receiver Greg Childs suffered patella tears in both knees. A team spokesman said he will undergo surgery soon. Childs suffered a right patella tendon tear in October 2010.
