Eagles Leadership Reacts To Garrett Reid's Death

The Eagles selected 3 players to speak today after practice. Michael Vick, their leader and a guy who has seen Andy Reid as a father figure, Jason Avant, who is one of the team's longest tenured vets and the spiritual leader of the team, and Nnamdi Asomugha, who is the most eloquent and thoughtful speaker on the squad.

"This is a very difficult situation for us all to deal with," said Vick. "Thoughts and prayers and condolences go out to Coach Reid, Tammy and their entire family. Coach [Reid] has always been a great supporter of us, as a team, as an organization. He's been a rock for us and a big teddy bear for us so we're going to lean on him and we're going to be there for him and we're going to stay strong for him until he comes back and can lead us on. So our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. It's very difficult but we'll find the strength and a way to get through it. We've just go to lean on the High Power."

"Obviously, it's a difficult time for us today," continued Asomugha. "We still managed to come out here and practice, but it's definitely been a tough day. Garrett is a part of our football family, our extended family, our immediate family, so it's a very tough time for us. But like they've been saying, we've been putting the Reid family in our prayers. Just like Coach [Reid] has supported us, we continue to support him during this tough time. It's tough."

"To echo these guys, we're depending on Jesus Christ to get him through this," Jason Avant said. "We're praying as hard as we can for him, just to let him know this team really, really loves him. When this thing happened, we were hurting with him. He was there with me, personally, when my dad passed last year; the first one to call me, and I just want to let him know that I love him and this team loves him. Garrett was a happy-go-lucky person and we know that he's in a better place and we love Coach Reid. Thank you."

Donovan McNabb said he was shocked to hear the news.

"I was both shocked and saddened when I heard the news this morning of Garrett's passing. During my time [in Philadelphia], both Garrett and Britt spent a lot of time around the football team and I know how much Andy loves them. I spent a lot of time with Andy and his family; we had a great friendship ... we still do. My heart goes out to Andy, Tammy and the rest of the Reid family. I cannot imagine what they are feeling right now. God be with them."

I also really liked what Asante Samuel had to say. He's talked some trash since being traded to the Falcons, but clearly he knows what matters and genuinely felt for Reid. He said the following to Paul Domowitch, then made the tweet afterward.

"I can't imagine what he's going through right now,'' Samuel said. "This is so sad. I sent Andy a text as soon as I heard. My heart goes out to him and his family and all of Eagle Nation. They're still a part of my family. It hit me in my heart. God, that's a tough situation. I'm praying for the family and the Eagles organization.''

Man I wish I could be there by coach side rite now for support. I can always say something to make him feel good.

— Asante Samuel (@pick_six22) August 5, 2012