Family Matters

Yesterday, a Pennsylvania judge sentenced Britt and Garrett Reid, sons of Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid, to a jail term of up to 23 months for numerous drugs and weapons charges. Today, Reid held a press conference to announce that he will not be stepping down from the helm of the Eagles. Unfortunately, we agree with his decision not to step down, but only because it's too late ... his son's are already in jail.

Reid should have stepped down in February, when he decided only to take a brief leave of absence. Maybe then he could have pulled a household the judge likened to a "drug emporium" back together.

FROM THE UNION-TRIBUNE: “There isn't any structure there that this court can depend upon,” Montgomery County Judge Steven O'Neill said before sentencing 22-year-old Britt Reid to up to 23 months in jail plus probation.

“I'm saying this is a family in crisis,” O'Neill said.

Earlier in the day, O'Neill sentenced 24-year-old Garrett Reid, a drug addict and dealer who said he got a thrill out of selling drugs in “the 'hood,” to up to 23 months in jail for smashing into another motorist's car while high on heroin.

As is the case with many of the children of professional coaches, they tend to grow up in a home with only one parent as a direct result of the evolution of the profession into a year-round gig, where it isn't unusual for some to put in 18-hour work days during the season.

Now are we saying it's not Reid's fault and his kids are a victim of circumstance? Of course not. It is every parent's responsibility to instill morals and show their children the difference between right and wrong. But we do understand how the high demands of being the face of a billion dollar corporation and the amount of time and dedication it takes just to compete could breed a chaotic situation at home.

With his Eagles, Reid will always be able to look ahead after a disappointing season. Sorry to say for his family, there is no next season.