A disturbing story has continued to unfold for Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach Andy Reid and his family. The veteran coach has had the ultimate distraction over the last several months. Under his nose and in his home, Reid's sons Garrett, 24 and Britt, 22 possessed and used large amounts of illegal drugs, including heroin. Both had been busted for drugs earlier this year and Reid took a 5 week leave of absence to try and make sense of his kids downward spiral and hopefully correct the problems. I'm wondering, like many of you, what did he do to improve this situation from becoming the disaster that it has today. Based on more incidents, Andy Reid failed worse than any football loss he coached. Authorities searched the Reid home recently and found among other things, painkiller prescriptions in both of his son's names, 2 syringes and 8 needles, ammunition and weapons. The big question, how could Reid and his wife Tammy have no knowledge of what their children brought into their home? They didn't have a clue.
Garrett, who had done some time in jail earlier this year, was charged with 5 additional drug counts related to 89 pills he brought into the lockup, concealed where the sun doesn't shine. His cell mate told police he watched the 24 year old remove the pills and offered him some.
Both young men are headed back to the slammer, Garrett for 2 to 23 months and Britt faces 8 to 23 months. Their lives are a complete mess. A judge described the parents home as as quote "drug emporium".
There's a huge lesson to be learned here. I don't care how uncomfortable it is when you confront your kids if you suspect something isn't right, do it! Do it early and often.
An NFL coach spends between 80 and 100 hours a week preparing his team for the next week's game. Throw in training camp, mini camp and the draft and there isn't much time for family. Many jobs have similar demands and it is incumbent on men and women who decide to have family's to become parents first and foremost. Andy Reid isn't the first nor will he be the last father to face the horrors of drug abuse by his children. If it takes a high profiled tragedy to wake up the public, this is it.
Hug your kids tonight, tell them you love them and don't stick your head in the sand. Your son or daughters life depends on it. gcruz@kpho.com

Gary Cruz
CBS 5 Sports Anchor and a father