Britt Reid, the former Kansas City Chiefs assistant coach who was involved in a car crash that left a 5-year-old girl with a brain injury, is the son of Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. The father and son have a long history of working together in the NFL, but also a troubled past of legal and personal issues. Here is everything you need to know about Britt Reid and his relationship with Andy Reid.
Contents
Britt Reid’s coaching career with Andy Reid
Britt Reid started his coaching career in 2009 as a defensive quality control coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, where his father was the head coach at the time. He worked under his father for four seasons, until Andy Reid was fired by the Eagles in 2012. Britt Reid then joined his father in Kansas City in 2013, where he served as a defensive assistant, assistant defensive line coach, and outside linebackers coach for the Chiefs. He was part of the coaching staff that helped the Chiefs win Super Bowl LIV in 2020 and reach Super Bowl LV in 2021.
However, Britt Reid’s coaching career came to an abrupt end after he was involved in a drunk driving accident that injured two children on February 4, 2021, just three days before Super Bowl LV. Britt Reid admitted to police that he had been drinking before driving his truck into two parked cars on the side of an interstate ramp near the Chiefs’ practice facility. One of the children, Ariel Young, suffered a severe traumatic brain injury that left her in a coma for 11 days and caused permanent physical and mental impairments. Britt Reid was charged with felony driving while intoxicated and pleaded guilty in September 2022. He was sentenced to three years in prison in November 2022.
The Chiefs did not renew Britt Reid’s contract after the 2020 season and he has not coached in the NFL since the accident. According to Yahoo Sports, Ariel Young’s family was outraged by Britt Reid’s plea deal and sentence, which they felt was too lenient for his actions. They also criticized him for apologizing to them only after a year and for showing no remorse or accountability.
Britt Reid’s legal troubles and addiction issues
The car crash in 2021 was not the first time that Britt Reid had run into trouble with the law or struggled with substance abuse. In fact, Britt Reid had a history of criminal convictions and addiction problems dating back to his teenage years.
In 2007, when he was 22 years old, Britt Reid was arrested twice in Pennsylvania for separate incidents involving drugs and guns. In January 2007, he was arrested for pointing a handgun at another driver during a road rage incident. He pleaded guilty to simple assault, carrying a firearm without a license, and drug possession. He was sentenced to eight to 23 months in jail and five years of probation.
In August 2007, he was arrested again for driving under the influence of heroin and crashing into a shopping cart in a parking lot. He pleaded guilty to driving while impaired, drug possession, and lying to police. He was sentenced to six to 14 months in jail and four years of probation.
Britt Reid also admitted that he had been using drugs since he was 15 years old and that he had been addicted to heroin, cocaine, painkillers, and alcohol. He said that he had been dealing drugs out of his parents’ home, where he lived with his brother Garrett Reid, who also had addiction issues. According to ESPN, Britt Reid said that he and his brother were running a “drug emporium” from their house and that they had access to hundreds of pills at any given time.
Britt Reid’s brother Garrett died of a heroin overdose in 2012 at the age of 29. He was found dead in his dorm room at Lehigh University, where he was assisting the Eagles’ strength and conditioning coach during training camp. His death devastated Andy Reid and his family, who had tried to help Garrett overcome his addiction for years.
Britt Reid claimed that he had turned his life around after his brother’s death and that he had been sober since then. He said that he had received counseling and treatment for his addiction and that he had dedicated himself to coaching football with his father. However, his relapse in 2021 proved that he still had not overcome his demons.
Andy Reid’s support for Britt Reid
Despite Britt Reid’s legal troubles and addiction issues, Andy Reid has always stood by his son and supported him throughout his life. Andy Reid has said that he loves his son unconditionally and that he believes in giving him second chances.
Andy Reid hired Britt Reid as a coach for both the Eagles and the Chiefs after he served his jail time in 2007. He said that he wanted to give his son an opportunity to work in a positive environment and to use his football knowledge and skills. He also said that he trusted his son to do a good job and that he was proud of his progress.
Andy Reid has also expressed his sympathy and concern for Ariel Young and her family after the car crash in 2021. He said that he was heartbroken by the accident and that he prayed for the girl’s recovery. He also said that he respected the legal process and that he hoped for a fair outcome for everyone involved.
Andy Reid has not commented publicly on Britt Reid’s plea deal and sentence, but he has reportedly visited his son in prison and maintained contact with him. He has also continued to coach the Chiefs, leading them to another AFC championship game in 2022.
Conclusion
Britt Reid is related to Andy Reid as his son, but their relationship is complicated by Britt Reid’s legal troubles and addiction issues. Britt Reid was a former assistant coach for the Chiefs under his father, but he lost his job and his freedom after he caused a car crash that injured a 5-year-old girl in 2021. Britt Reid has a history of criminal convictions and substance abuse problems dating back to his teenage years. Andy Reid has always supported his son and given him second chances, but he has also expressed his sorrow and regret for the victims of the accident. Britt Reid is currently serving a three-year prison sentence for felony driving while intoxicated.
