Andy Reid says his ‘heart bleeds’ for girl fighting for her life after son’s wreck

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid joined media members via Zoom immediately following the team’s 31-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl. It was Reid’s first opportunity to speak publicly since his son and Chiefs outside linebackers coach Britt Reid was involved in a multi-vehicle accident on Thursday night.

At this writing, a 5-year-old girl remains in critical condition as a result of the accident. The family’s GoFundMe page has raised north of $275,000.

“I know I haven’t had a chance to address you since the accident happened that my son was involved in,” said Reid after the loss. “My heart goes out to all those that were involved in the accident, in particular, the family with the little girl who’s fighting for her life. And listen, it’s a tough situation. I can’t comment on it any more than what I am here, so the questions that you have, I’m going to have to turn those down at the time, but just from a human standpoint, my heart bleeds for everybody involved in that.”

A reporter questioned Reid as to whether it had any influence on the team’s preparations for the game.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you my heart bleeds for the people involved in it,” answered Reid. “I mentioned that. And so, again, we had put the game plan in the week before — and so the distraction wasn’t a distraction as far as the game plan goes. That was already in — and how we were going to work with it and go forward. So I would tell you, anything — it’s a loaded question. From a human standpoint, yeah, it’s a tough one. From a football standpoint, two separate things. From a football standpoint, I don’t think that was the problem.”

Just as he did leading up to Super Bowl LIV against the San Francisco 49ers, Reid opted to install the game plan during the Super Bowl bye week, prior to expanded media obligations and the accident.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes explained he did not feel it affected Reid when it came to the Super Bowl.

“It was a tragic situation all around,” said Mahomes. “You’re praying for everyone that was involved, but we went into the game, and I felt like he was still coach Reid, still the same guy, but obviously, we wanted to win the game but we didn’t, so it’s now about continuing to move forward and trying to do whatever we can to keep moving forward.”

Update Monday

Andy confirmed Monday morning that Britt underwent surgery after the incident and his thoughts remain with the impacted family.

“I’ve had a chance to talk to [Britt],” said Reid. “My heart goes out to the young lady. I’m also a dad, so I get that so I have concerns obviously on both sides. Britt did have surgery — he’s doing better now. That little girl, my heart goes out to her.”