Son of Eagles Coach Gets Jail Time
Thursday November 1, 2007 6:31 PM
By MARYCLAIRE DALE
Associated Press Writer
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid's eldest son, who said he got a thrill out of selling drugs in both poor and tony neighborhoods, was sentenced Thursday to up to 23 months in jail for smashing into another motorist's car while high on heroin.
Garrett Reid, 24, could leave jail early if he applies for and is accepted into a special drug court program that would require him to hold down a job, report to authorities regularly and undergo rigorous drug testing.
He tested positive for heroin and admitted having used it that day of the crash. He ran a red light and hit another car. Authorities found syringes with heroin and testosterone in his SUV.
Speaking in court and in a statement to a probation officer, Reid said he made a fast descent into hard drugs and enjoyed being the rich kid who dealt drugs in poor, violent Philadelphia neighborhoods and in the tony Main Line suburbs.
``I don't want to be that kid who was the son of the head coach of the Eagles, who was spoiled and on drugs and OD'd and just faded into oblivion,'' Reid said in court.
His addiction persists, according to authorities, who found 89 prescription drug pills in Reid's jail cell Thursday morning. They believe he smuggled them in his rectum when he was jailed earlier this week.
Reid told the judge he would apply to the drug court program, which could shorten his time behind bars.
``I am more than willing to do drug court ... if that's what it's going to take to get clean and sober,'' Reid said.
Reid's descent in drug use and dealing was steep, according to a probation report read in court. Reid said he started using marijuana and alcohol at age 18. That was followed by prescription pain killers Percocet and OxyContin, and then cocaine and heroin.
By 20, he was in drug rehab.
Reid said he sold drugs to his friends and their parents in the suburbs and in a notoriously tough section of Philadelphia.
``I liked being the rich kid in that area and having my own high status life,'' Reid told a probation officer in a statement read by the judge. ``I could go anywhere in the 'hood. They all knew who I was. I enjoyed it. I liked being a drug dealer.''
He said in court Thursday that he has stopped selling drugs.
Andy Reid and his wife, Tammy, were in court but declined to comment.
``Andy and Tammy are supportive of their son. That has been their position since this all began. He will not comment on it,'' said defense attorney Ross Weiss.
Reid's 22-year-old brother, Britt, also was in court Thursday to be sentenced for pointing a handgun at another driver Jan. 30, the same day as his brother's crash. He pleaded guilty to a string of charges, including carrying a firearm without a license, a felony.
Both sons lived at their parents' home in suburban Villanova at the time of their arrests.
Andy Reid had taken a five-week leave from the Eagles in the offseason to deal with his family's troubles.
Thursday November 1, 2007 6:31 PM
By MARYCLAIRE DALE
Associated Press Writer
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid's eldest son, who said he got a thrill out of selling drugs in both poor and tony neighborhoods, was sentenced Thursday to up to 23 months in jail for smashing into another motorist's car while high on heroin.
Garrett Reid, 24, could leave jail early if he applies for and is accepted into a special drug court program that would require him to hold down a job, report to authorities regularly and undergo rigorous drug testing.
He tested positive for heroin and admitted having used it that day of the crash. He ran a red light and hit another car. Authorities found syringes with heroin and testosterone in his SUV.
Speaking in court and in a statement to a probation officer, Reid said he made a fast descent into hard drugs and enjoyed being the rich kid who dealt drugs in poor, violent Philadelphia neighborhoods and in the tony Main Line suburbs.
``I don't want to be that kid who was the son of the head coach of the Eagles, who was spoiled and on drugs and OD'd and just faded into oblivion,'' Reid said in court.
His addiction persists, according to authorities, who found 89 prescription drug pills in Reid's jail cell Thursday morning. They believe he smuggled them in his rectum when he was jailed earlier this week.
Reid told the judge he would apply to the drug court program, which could shorten his time behind bars.
``I am more than willing to do drug court ... if that's what it's going to take to get clean and sober,'' Reid said.
Reid's descent in drug use and dealing was steep, according to a probation report read in court. Reid said he started using marijuana and alcohol at age 18. That was followed by prescription pain killers Percocet and OxyContin, and then cocaine and heroin.
By 20, he was in drug rehab.
Reid said he sold drugs to his friends and their parents in the suburbs and in a notoriously tough section of Philadelphia.
``I liked being the rich kid in that area and having my own high status life,'' Reid told a probation officer in a statement read by the judge. ``I could go anywhere in the 'hood. They all knew who I was. I enjoyed it. I liked being a drug dealer.''
He said in court Thursday that he has stopped selling drugs.
Andy Reid and his wife, Tammy, were in court but declined to comment.
``Andy and Tammy are supportive of their son. That has been their position since this all began. He will not comment on it,'' said defense attorney Ross Weiss.
Reid's 22-year-old brother, Britt, also was in court Thursday to be sentenced for pointing a handgun at another driver Jan. 30, the same day as his brother's crash. He pleaded guilty to a string of charges, including carrying a firearm without a license, a felony.
Both sons lived at their parents' home in suburban Villanova at the time of their arrests.
Andy Reid had taken a five-week leave from the Eagles in the offseason to deal with his family's troubles.
