During his post-practice press conference on Monday afternoon, Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur expressed his condolences to Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid and his family on the passing of their eldest son, Garrett.
Garrett Reid, 29, was found dead Sunday morning in the team dormitory at Lehigh University, where the Eagles hold their training camp practices. Reid was working with the team’s strength coaches during training camp.
“It’s hard to even think about what Andy, Tammy and the family are going through losing a child. I can’t even imagine,” Shurmur said Monday. “As a father, it’s got to be tough.
“For those of us that knew Garrett, it’s even tougher because we remember training camps when all our boys were out there as ball boys, helping out and being around. If you know somebody, of course, you have more memories. You just wish them the best.”
Reid gave Shurmur his start as a coach in the National Football League in 1999.
During his time in Philadelphia, Shurmur coached the tight ends and offensive line from 1999-2001. Shurmur later mentored the quarterbacks from 2002-08 before he left Philadelphia and became the offensive coordinator with the St. Louis Rams.
General manager Tom Heckert served in the same capacity in Philadelphia. Prior to becoming the Eagles’ general manager, Heckert worked as the team’s director of player personnel and later, the vice president of player personnel. Offensive coordinator Brad Childress, defensive coordinator Dick Jauron and quarterbacks coach Mark Whipple also spent time in the Eagles’ organization in various positions on the coaching staff.
Prior to taking over as head coach of the Eagles, Reid served as an assistant coach for the Green Bay Packers under Browns president Mike Holmgren. Reid -- and former NFL coach Jon Gruden -- are two of Holmgren’s former assistants who went on to lead a team to an appearance in the Super Bowl.
Reid has the most wins, 126, and best winning percentage, .608, of any of Holmgren’s nine former assistants who went on to become head coaches in the NFL.
“We adjusted the schedule and we’ll do practice in the afternoon,” Shurmur said of Tuesday. “That’ll allow a group of us here from the Browns to attend Garrett Reid’s services in Philadelphia. We’ll race there for that, pay our respects and then, come back.”
