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Michael Vick: Garrett Reid Had A 'Great Spirit'

By Ed Benkin

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The Eagles continue to mourn the death of Garrett Reid.

As the Eagles went through their morning workouts at Lehigh, their thoughts were still with their head coach.  Offensive Tackle Todd Herremans is entering his eighth season with the Eagles and talked about his memories of Garrett Reid. "I knew Garrett well," said Herremans.  "He's a fun loving person that was always smiling and laughing.  He would go out of his way to come over and talk to you.  He was just a good dude.

[Andy Reid] is in all of our thoughts all of the time. It is definitely not something that you can ignore and move on without. At the same time he wants us to be strong and wants us to continue going. We have to be there for him in whatever way we can help. Whether that's coming out here and continuing to get after it then that's what we need to do," Herremans said.

The Eagles are trying to go about business as usual on the field as best they can, but Offensive Coordinator Marty Mornhinweg acknowledged the team is still coming to terms with the tragic death of Garrett Reid.

"We're still saddened and quite shocked," Mornhinweg said. "The players have rallied in support of Andy. We're looking forward to Andy getting back into camp at some point."

The players are doing a heck of a job. We have just barely started on Pittsburgh. Today, we will up the preparation against Pittsburgh and then tonight, of course. Then we have the funeral coming up. So their legs should be good and that's a good thing. But the preparation will be key and we'll see. We'll see Thursday night."

Reid spoke with his players on Sunday after learning of his son's death, and Center Jason Kelce said Reid wanted his players to focus on football even during this difficult period. "His words were basically about how stuff happens," said Kelce.  "He said the only thing you can do right now is keep everybody going forward."

Many said Michael Vick was brought in by Andy Reid, in part, because of the troubles he went through with his own children. "[Garrett Reid had] Just a great spirit [with] a lot of enthusiasm, fun to be around and always is going to make you smile when you are in a bad mood. He can always get you to crack a smile and that's what I am going to miss about him," Michael Vick said. "That is what I enjoyed each and every day. In the off-season he was one of the reasons [that] being with [head strength and conditioning coach] Barry Rubin that I came to work five days out of the week."

I have three kids of my own. I have a son. It just makes you want to strengthen the relationships that you have and enjoy them each and every day and not take life for granted. It is all in God's will and in God's hands and when he calls us then we have to go."

The Eagles have a scheduled day off on Tuesday, and all of the players are expected to attend Garrett Reid's funeral.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be sent to the Laurel House – an organization that helps victims of domestic violence.

The Laurel House
PO Box 764
Norristown, Pa. 19404

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