Should Andy Reid resign? (1 Viewer)

[timschochet]

from Profootballtalk.com:

REID'S KIDS USED STEROIDS, TOO

Lost in Thursday's flurry of kidney punches to the image of Eagles coach Andy Reid was a disclosure that Garrett and Britt Reid used steroids as young athletes.

Let's repeat that.

The sons of an NFL head coach used steroids as youth athletes.

Wow.

What would the NFL do if it was revealed that a player's kids were or had been using steroids? Or if the player was accused of maintaining a "drug emporium" at his house? Cowboys assistant coach Wade Wilson was suspended five games for possessing HGH for his own use because, as Wilson was told, the league holds coaches to a higher standard.

How, then, can the league sit idly by in the wake of these troubling allegations about the things that were happening under Reid's roof? As Commissioner Roger Goodell told Mike Vick in April (and as MDS reminded me this morning), "People living in your house and people on your property is your responsibility."

It's a delicate situation, to be sure. But we suspect that the folks running the show are at least mildly troubled by the information that has been disclosed, and that this could manifest itself in the Eagles receiving not-so-subtle indications that the time might be coming to accept Reid's resignation -- even if he's not ready to provide it.

 

[TinHat]

I'd say yes.

One can only speculate on why This is getting very little play.

 

[Enforcer]

Reid should resign because he's a crappy parent? If we're going to starting asking sports figures to step down because they suck at being a parent its going to be tough to field an NFL team and coaching staff. My guess is being an absentee parent is pretty much a prerequisite to being an NFL coach.

 

[mattyt]

The only reason Reid should leave the Eagles is if he choses to leave. IMO, he should seriously consider it because he needs to make an honest attempt to take control of his family and household.

 

[PatrickT]

from Profootballtalk.com:

REID'S KIDS USED STEROIDS, TOO

Lost in Thursday's flurry of kidney punches to the image of Eagles coach Andy Reid was a disclosure that Garrett and Britt Reid used steroids as young athletes.

Let's repeat that.

The sons of an NFL head coach used steroids as youth athletes.

Wow.

What would the NFL do if it was revealed that a player's kids were or had been using steroids? Or if the player was accused of maintaining a "drug emporium" at his house? Cowboys assistant coach Wade Wilson was suspended five games for possessing HGH for his own use because, as Wilson was told, the league holds coaches to a higher standard.

How, then, can the league sit idly by in the wake of these troubling allegations about the things that were happening under Reid's roof? As Commissioner Roger Goodell told Mike Vick in April (and as MDS reminded me this morning), "People living in your house and people on your property is your responsibility."

It's a delicate situation, to be sure. But we suspect that the folks running the show are at least mildly troubled by the information that has been disclosed, and that this could manifest itself in the Eagles receiving not-so-subtle indications that the time might be coming to accept Reid's resignation -- even if he's not ready to provide it.

This is the most disturbing statement for Reid. There is no way that Goodell can say he is being fair in his judgements without some serious investigations into this. Now, there is a difference, in that, Vick was directly involved and it's not clear that Reid was doing anything illegal himself. I know they're his sons and not childhood buddies or cousins, so that might mitigate a bit, but Goodell cannot ignore this and maintain any level of integrity, IMO. At least based on admittedly little knowledge of the details of the case.

 

[PSILOCYBIN]

NO...he is NOT his kids

 

[bcr8f]

No unless it can be proven they got these drugs from him.

 

[bcr8f]

As Commissioner Roger Goodell told Mike Vick in April (and as MDS reminded me this morning), "People living in your house and people on your property is your responsibility."

This is a ridiculous statement. Kids have evaded their parents for decades. What do you want him to do kick them our opr install closed circuit cameras? Trusting your kids when they say they quit is not a crime.

 

[Jackstraw]

These are not "kids" by the way. These are grown men. 23 and 24 respectively. Andy needs to cut ties with them until they can demonstrate any kind of willingness to show responsibility and sober up.

 

[Jason Wood]

I think there are two very different issues at play here.

I think Reid, by all accounts a devout Mormon, loyal husband and moral person, suffers from something that a great many hard working, work-obsessed people do...the combination of his absence (because he's always at work) with entitlement (his kids are rich and want for nothing) has created an environment where the kids, left to their own devices, have become less-than-reputable human beings. Are Andy and his wife to blame in part? Absolutely. As a parent, I think you're fooling yourself if you think you don't shape the behavior of your kids. I think while you can't make your kids into the people they will become, you can certainly ENABLE their behavior; and whether they were simply ignorant of the fact or just overlooked it, the Reid boys evolution into drug-addicted miscreants wasn't overnight.

So the first issue is parenting. And, while people may come to Reid's defense and others will call for his head; I think the hard and fast truth is that, most NFL coaches are not great fathers. I hate generalizing so understand that I don't make that statement easily. But I think we'd all agree that being a successful NFL coach requires near obsession. If there's a head coach in the league that doesn't spend most waking hours thinking about his job; please let me know their name. For the men lucky enough to coach in the NFL, it's the pinnacle of their professional aspirations in most cases. As someone in a field that often requires similar obsession; I see it time and time again; men who are basically absentee dads. The real shame of this is that, most of these men tell themselves they are doing it FOR THEIR FAMILIES. And I'm sure in their minds that's true. But what we're seeing with Andy's kids is the potential pitfalls of letting your work life consume you completely. Yes, Andy is at the top of his field and yes he's provided the financial stability for his family and generations to come. But at what cost?

The second issue is the more germane one to this conversation. Just because most NFL coaches are workaholics doesn't mean they're all the same character of human beings. The measure of a man (or woman) is how they address the stark realities of life when they're presented with them. I'm sure most NFL coaches know they are obsessed with their jobs; but they tell their wives and kids that it's only for NOW and they're doing this for THEM and that SOME DAY they won't have to work this hard. But how many have had to face the consequences like Reid is now?

If Andy is REALLY the moral, loving, caring parent that most view him as; and that I believe him to be; how could he not consider leaving the team? I am sure a LOT of NFL coaches would choose otherwise; and it's a complex decision because you're asking him to walk away from something he truly loves to help out a child that may, sadly, be beyond his reach. But whereas I think a lot of coaches would just soldier on, I think Andy will leave the team. He may not leave the team now, but I would be surprised if he was coaching next year anywhere.

 

[Banger]

Unfortunately the damage is done and now his kids will struggle for the rest of their lives. He shouldn't have to resign since none of this has anything to do with him as a coach.

 

[Jason Wood]

Unfortunately the damage is done and now his kids will struggle for the rest of their lives. He shouldn't have to resign since none of this has anything to do with him as a coach.

Hey Banger,I agree he shouldn't have to resign; and I don't think he will have to resign. But HAVING TO and CHOOSING TO are very different things. I wouldn't be, at all, surprised if Andy CHOOSES to resign; but more likely after the season.

 

[Banger]

Unfortunately the damage is done and now his kids will struggle for the rest of their lives. He shouldn't have to resign since none of this has anything to do with him as a coach.

Hey Banger,I agree he shouldn't have to resign; and I don't think he will have to resign. But HAVING TO and CHOOSING TO are very different things. I wouldn't be, at all, surprised if Andy CHOOSES to resign; but more likely after the season.

I agree that may happen but unfortunately it really won't solve anything (if he's doing it for his family). His "kids" have a rap sheet, appear to be severe drug addicts (possibly for years) and I doubt he could really do that much at this point in their lives besides trying to get them help (which it appears that he's trying to do). At this point his kids are grown and it's really up to them on which direction they want to go from here.Reid may resign just to clear his head and take a step back from the game or he may continue to bury himself in his work as it appears he's done for years. It's understandable that this is a huge distraction for him and if it is impacting his work he owes it to the organization to take some time off/leave of absense.

 

[Banger]

I think there are two very different issues at play here.I think Reid, by all accounts a devout Mormon, loyal husband and moral person, suffers from something that a great many hard working, work-obsessed people do...the combination of his absence (because he's always at work) with entitlement (his kids are rich and want for nothing) has created an environment where the kids, left to their own devices, have become less-than-reputable human beings. Are Andy and his wife to blame in part? Absolutely. As a parent, I think you're fooling yourself if you think you don't shape the behavior of your kids. I think while you can't make your kids into the people they will become, you can certainly ENABLE their behavior; and whether they were simply ignorant of the fact or just overlooked it, the Reid boys evolution into drug-addicted miscreants wasn't overnight.So the first issue is parenting. And, while people may come to Reid's defense and others will call for his head; I think the hard and fast truth is that, most NFL coaches are not great fathers. I hate generalizing so understand that I don't make that statement easily. But I think we'd all agree that being a successful NFL coach requires near obsession. If there's a head coach in the league that doesn't spend most waking hours thinking about his job; please let me know their name. For the men lucky enough to coach in the NFL, it's the pinnacle of their professional aspirations in most cases. As someone in a field that often requires similar obsession; I see it time and time again; men who are basically absentee dads. The real shame of this is that, most of these men tell themselves they are doing it FOR THEIR FAMILIES. And I'm sure in their minds that's true. But what we're seeing with Andy's kids is the potential pitfalls of letting your work life consume you completely. Yes, Andy is at the top of his field and yes he's provided the financial stability for his family and generations to come. But at what cost?The second issue is the more germane one to this conversation. Just because most NFL coaches are workaholics doesn't mean they're all the same character of human beings. The measure of a man (or woman) is how they address the stark realities of life when they're presented with them. I'm sure most NFL coaches know they are obsessed with their jobs; but they tell their wives and kids that it's only for NOW and they're doing this for THEM and that SOME DAY they won't have to work this hard. But how many have had to face the consequences like Reid is now? If Andy is REALLY the moral, loving, caring parent that most view him as; and that I believe him to be; how could he not consider leaving the team? I am sure a LOT of NFL coaches would choose otherwise; and it's a complex decision because you're asking him to walk away from something he truly loves to help out a child that may, sadly, be beyond his reach. But whereas I think a lot of coaches would just soldier on, I think Andy will leave the team. He may not leave the team now, but I would be surprised if he was coaching next year anywhere.

great post. Tony Dungy seems very similar to Reid in that they are both very religious, at the top of their craft and both had severe family problems. Unfortunately, I think it comes with the territory even if the coachs' themselves are very good people. As a parent, who tries to juggle work/family this is a tragic story.

 

[Thorpe]

For the NFL to be consistent, I say he should be suspended for 4 games. The drugs were in his house. Steroids were involved. If he can't keep his kids clean, how is he going to keep his team clean?

 

[thehornet]

a lot of over-reation in this thread. You guys do not know Andy Reid or his kids. I know plenty of good people who have done steriods and they aren't "losers" as being prtrayed in above posts. I also know excellent parents who have kids that got into drugs. So this is solely the parents' fault? Um, no. Individuals who do not have children probably won't understand through no fault of their own.

Should a school teacher resign or be fired because their own child engages in drugs? The answer is obviously no. But why not, there position influences children a lot more than anNFL head coach's position???

My point is that no situation is the same as one or another. You cant generalize every parent with kids that use drugs. Some are good and some are bad.

 

[brindrod]

Unless Coach Reid is found guilty of having illegally supplied drugs to his children or being a willing party in the crimes they have been condemned for, why should the NFL sanction a man who does his job to the best of his abilities?

I do believe that a player or a coach's off-field actions should be under scrutiny but this is a case where it's out of Goodell's jurisdication. It's a personal and family matter. Not a criminal one.

Should Reid take a leave of absence? Yes absolutely. His family comes first not the job. Should Eagles management welcome him back when he is ready to fullfill his task as head coach? Yes absolutely.

 

[thehornet]

For the NFL to be consistent, I say he should be suspended for 4 games. The drugs were in his house. Steroids were involved. If he can't keep his kids clean, how is he going to keep his team clean?

i truly do not understand your post. What if his wife was abusing Oxycontin? Should he be suspended because he lives with her? What if his kids were involved in dog fighting rings without his knowledge? Is he at fault? I dont think you understand how offensive your statements are. Terrific people have messed up kids and they dont get fired from their jobs for it. Honestly, try to put yourself in Reid's shoes. I think you might be singing a different tune.

 

[phthalatemagic]

NO...he is NOT his kids

That's right. He's worse - he's the person that was in charge of teaching them how to be normal human beings. He failed horribly. An NFL coach is as public position as the mayor in a particular city. It's up to the populace to decide of his personal life is bad enough to remove him from his position.

 

[thehornet]

NO...he is NOT his kids

That's right. He's worse - he's the person that was in charge of teaching them how to be normal human beings. He failed horribly. An NFL coach is as public position as the mayor in a particular city. It's up to the populace to decide of his personal life is bad enough to remove him from his position.

the sad part about your post is that you actually believe what you write. I think it's safe to say that it is a good thing youre not making the decisions. populace? why would this be the deciding factor?

 

[phthalatemagic]

NO...he is NOT his kids

That's right. He's worse - he's the person that was in charge of teaching them how to be normal human beings. He failed horribly. An NFL coach is as public position as the mayor in a particular city. It's up to the populace to decide of his personal life is bad enough to remove him from his position.

the sad part about your post is that you actually believe what you write. I think it's safe to say that it is a good thing youre not making the decisions. populace? why would this be the deciding factor?

Aren't you one of the perpetuators of toxic waste?Begone!

 

[thehornet]

NO...he is NOT his kids

That's right. He's worse - he's the person that was in charge of teaching them how to be normal human beings. He failed horribly. An NFL coach is as public position as the mayor in a particular city. It's up to the populace to decide of his personal life is bad enough to remove him from his position.

the sad part about your post is that you actually believe what you write. I think it's safe to say that it is a good thing youre not making the decisions. populace? why would this be the deciding factor?

Aren't you one of the perpetuators of toxic waste?Begone!

great post.

 

[Parmcat]

NO...he is NOT his kids

That's right. He's worse - he's the person that was in charge of teaching them how to be normal human beings. He failed horribly. An NFL coach is as public position as the mayor in a particular city. It's up to the populace to decide of his personal life is bad enough to remove him from his position.

Are you for real????As started above, these are not KIDS. 20 somethings have minds of their own. The only mistake Reid did was not boot thier asses out after the first few run ins with the law.If every dad in the world needs to quit thier jobs because thier "kids" are screw ups, thier will be a lot of job vacancies I would think.

 

[softball]

NO...he is NOT his kids

That's right. He's worse - he's the person that was in charge of teaching them how to be normal human beings. He failed horribly. An NFL coach is as public position as the mayor in a particular city. It's up to the populace to decide of his personal life is bad enough to remove him from his position.

When on earth did Head COaching jobs become a public office? I don't think Philly had a vote to decide the Eagles coach.Hard to be so far off unless you're trying.He won't resign if I get a guess, he should have done that years ago when they were in crisis. He chose not to, he lives with that choice because as someone correctly pointed out: These are no longer children, they are men and must stand on their own feet; even if they are feet unworthy/unable to be stood upon.It's a sad story because I have had the pleasure of meeting Andy Reed in comfortable surroundings, he's a genuine, nice and thoughtful person.This was out of hand a long time ago, and leaving only increases his trouble. So stick with what he loves(football) and who he loves(His family) and get through some seriously hard times.If I can pontificate for just one more moment; people face issues far more difficult than these; Reeds kids are alive, and though heading to jail he has them to look at, love and even hopefully help. Other folks face the sudden death or life changing injury to a loved one that truley will alter the remainder of their existance. I guess I would consider this a perspective issue, it's real bad, and sad, but others face far more each day.Back to FF.

 

[Banger]

a lot of over-reation in this thread. You guys do not know Andy Reid or his kids. I know plenty of good people who have done steriods and they aren't "losers" as being prtrayed in above posts. I also know excellent parents who have kids that got into drugs. So this is solely the parents' fault? Um, no. Individuals who do not have children probably won't understand through no fault of their own. Should a school teacher resign or be fired because their own child engages in drugs? The answer is obviously no. But why not, there position influences children a lot more than anNFL head coach's position??? My point is that no situation is the same as one or another. You cant generalize every parent with kids that use drugs. Some are good and some are bad.

I don't think it's an over reaction. I could care less about the steroids, that's small potatoes IMO..it's been reported that one son is a heroin addict and the other has been addicted to Oxycontin since he was a teenager.

 

[phthalatemagic]

When on earth did Head COaching jobs become a public office?

When the public had to start paying hundreds of millions of dollars to pay for stadiums. I ignored your second statement becuase it was a worthless strawman.

 

[phthalatemagic]

As started above, these are not KIDS. 20 somethings have minds of their own. The only mistake Reid did was not boot thier asses out after the first few run ins with the law.

20 somethings that still live at home and still recieve money from their parents are not adults. They clearly still need parenting. I do agree with you that Andy should cut ties with them and move on.

If every dad in the world needs to quit thier jobs because thier "kids" are screw ups, thier will be a lot of job vacancies I would think.

I agree.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Understand that I'm in no way excusing or approving the parenting job that Andy Reid and his wife did here, but a lot of people are blaming Andy and Mrs. Reid 100% for what happened to their sons. That's what our society has become, especially as portrayed in the media. Everybody's shortcomings are someone else's fault. No one is accountable for their own actions. When does everyone focus on the real fact that these "kids" (which is inaccurate because they're not kids at all) are just totally messed up and rotten, and it's their own damn fault?

The fact is that there are plenty of parents out there who are away from home for long strectches and are well-off financially. In fact, a number of other NFL head coaches also work long hours, aren't around and have kids who are well-off. And guess what? Not every kid who grows up in those circumstances becomes a drug addict, starts dealing oxycontin in North Philly, and gets busted smuggling a balloon full of pills up their ### once they get put in jail.

And if he does resign, what good is that going to do at this point? Garrett's in the slam for the next 23 months, Brett's headed down that path too, so what good will it do Andy to sit at home and not watch over them?

Again, will Andy Reid ever be a father-of-the-year candidate? Probably not. But to put the burden of his sons' shortcomings solely at his feet is completely unfair.

 

[56]

I kind of find it odd that the judge in this case felt the need to talk about the home environment of a 20 something year old man who's father just happens to be an NFL coach.

I wonder how many other people of the same age have appeared before him on similar crimes. Did he have the same things to say then, or did he just keep quiet about it because that wouldn't get his name in the paper?

 

[Ozymandias]

Some are quoting Goodell as saying : "People who live in your house are your responsibility". That's true, to an extent, but it is more particularly true about people who have no particular right to be there, other than by invitation. Sons and daughters, on the other hand, have some acquired right to be there, even though they are adults. Not an absolute right, but a relative one.

If his grown sons were doing drugs, then he was negligent as a parent. But we don't know the status of his relationship with his sons, and don't know why he might have turned a blind eye. Sometimes, in family relationships, we don't do things we should do, for fear of damaging the relationship. Is that an excuse? No, but it could be a mitigating reason.

 

[switz]

Make this a poll - I vote yes. Family comes first.

 

[Banger]

Make this a poll - I vote yes. Family comes first.

I would agree if his son was 13. Isn't it too late though? The damage is done.

 

[Sabertooth]

I think there are two very different issues at play here.

I think Reid, by all accounts a devout Mormon, loyal husband and moral person, suffers from something that a great many hard working, work-obsessed people do...the combination of his absence (because he's always at work) with entitlement (his kids are rich and want for nothing) has created an environment where the kids, left to their own devices, have become less-than-reputable human beings. Are Andy and his wife to blame in part? Absolutely. As a parent, I think you're fooling yourself if you think you don't shape the behavior of your kids. I think while you can't make your kids into the people they will become, you can certainly ENABLE their behavior; and whether they were simply ignorant of the fact or just overlooked it, the Reid boys evolution into drug-addicted miscreants wasn't overnight.

So the first issue is parenting. And, while people may come to Reid's defense and others will call for his head; I think the hard and fast truth is that, most NFL coaches are not great fathers. I hate generalizing so understand that I don't make that statement easily. But I think we'd all agree that being a successful NFL coach requires near obsession. If there's a head coach in the league that doesn't spend most waking hours thinking about his job; please let me know their name. For the men lucky enough to coach in the NFL, it's the pinnacle of their professional aspirations in most cases. As someone in a field that often requires similar obsession; I see it time and time again; men who are basically absentee dads. The real shame of this is that, most of these men tell themselves they are doing it FOR THEIR FAMILIES. And I'm sure in their minds that's true. But what we're seeing with Andy's kids is the potential pitfalls of letting your work life consume you completely. Yes, Andy is at the top of his field and yes he's provided the financial stability for his family and generations to come. But at what cost?

The second issue is the more germane one to this conversation. Just because most NFL coaches are workaholics doesn't mean they're all the same character of human beings. The measure of a man (or woman) is how they address the stark realities of life when they're presented with them. I'm sure most NFL coaches know they are obsessed with their jobs; but they tell their wives and kids that it's only for NOW and they're doing this for THEM and that SOME DAY they won't have to work this hard. But how many have had to face the consequences like Reid is now?



If Andy is REALLY the moral, loving, caring parent that most view him as; and that I believe him to be; how could he not consider leaving the team? I am sure a LOT of NFL coaches would choose otherwise; and it's a complex decision because you're asking him to walk away from something he truly loves to help out a child that may, sadly, be beyond his reach. But whereas I think a lot of coaches would just soldier on, I think Andy will leave the team. He may not leave the team now, but I would be surprised if he was coaching next year anywhere.

What about this whole debacle makes you think this. I'd say the evidence points to the contrary.