Eagles owner recalls difficult time having to fire Reid
Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie still remembers his first conversation with Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid.
Lurie, who purchased the Eagles in 1994, was a young owner looking to leave his mark. He wasn’t afraid to make a splash and took a risk on Reid.
“He had all the key ingredients that we were looking for,” Lurie recalled to The Washington Post.
Those ingredients included savvy leadership skills and a unique passion for the game. There were extreme highs, including six NFC East Division titles and an appearance in Super Bowl 39.
However, there were some bitter moments. Reid failed to win on the biggest stage, and it forced Lurie to make a difficult choice. After going 4-12 during the 2012 season, Lurie had another conversation with Reid.
A conversation that altered both their lives forever.
“It was extremely difficult because I was personally extremely close with Andy,” Lurie said. “Obviously we were very, very successful together. He represented everything that I believe in. … I just think the best thing for Andy at the time – and I think his family probably thought the best thing for Andy at the time – was to have a different environment for his family at that moment in time. I always thought he’d be highly successful wherever he went.”
Reid endured some hardships during his final season in Philadelphia. He lost his son, Garrett, during the 2012 training camp. The Eagles were headed in a different direction and a change of scenery was needed for both sides.
Reid finished 130-93-1 in his 14 seasons with the Eagles. His next stop landed him in Kansas City to lead the Chiefs organization.
Since joining the Chiefs, Reid has led them to perennial success. The Chiefs have made nine postseason appearances and have made the Super Bowl three of the past four years. With two Super Bowl 54 victories to his credit, Reid has reinvigorated his career.
“Listen, it was my first opportunity to be a head coach,” Reid said of his Eagles career. “And so it was a great experience. I loved every minute of it.”