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Andy Reid: Garrett lost 8 year battle

Tuesday, August 07, 2012

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hiladelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie speaks during an NFL football news conference, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012, in Bethlehem, Pa. Garrett Reid, the oldest son of Eagles head coach Andy Reid, was found dead Sunday morning in his room at the clubs training camp at Lehigh University. He was 29. (AP Photo/Chris Post)

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Action News

PHILADELPHIA - August 7, 2012 (WPVI) -- Eagles head football coach Andy Reid issued a statement on Monday night on the death of his eldest son, Garrett.

Though no official cause of death has been released, the statement said Garrett had lost a battle that had been ongoing for eight years. Garrett Reid had a highly publicized struggle with drugs over the past decade.

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Pictures from Garrett Reid's funeral

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The entire statement reads:
On behalf of Tammy and our family, I would like to thank everybody for their tremendous support, love, kind words and prayers during this time of great sadness. Words cannot express our sense of loss.

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We loved Garrett so much. He was a wonderful son and brother. He made us laugh, he was a pleasure to be around, he always had a smile on his face, and we will miss him dearly. We will never forget him, and we will remember him with love.
Garrett's road through life was not always an easy one. He faced tremendous personal challenges with bravery and spirit. As a family, we stood by him and were inspired as he worked to overcome those challenges. Even though he lost the battle that has been ongoing for the last eight years, we will always remember him as a fighter who had a huge, loving heart.
I spoke with the team yesterday and thanked them for their thoughts and prayers. I asked them to continue with their preparations for the upcoming season until I am ready to rejoin the team.
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.
Thank you again for your continued support.
Andy Reid

Garrett Reid was found dead on Sunday in a Lehigh University dorm room, where the Eagles are holding training camp. He was 29.

A private service for Garrett Reid will be held this morning at the Church of Latter Day Saints in Broomall.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to: Laurel House, PO Box 764, Norristown, PA 19404. Laurel House is an organization devoted to helping victims of domestic violence.

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philadelphia, lehigh county, andy reid, philadelphia eagles, local/state