BETHLEHEM, Pa. -
Eagles head coach Andy Reid held his first news conference Wednesday morning, one day after funeral services for his oldest son, Garrett.
The 29-year-old died Sunday morning in a dormitory at Lehigh University, where the Eagles hold training camp.
While no cause of death has been released, Garrett's legal troubles and issues with drug abuse were well documented, and Andy Reid has said in a previous statement and again Wednesday that his son faced an ongoing battle before his death.
Addressing reporters, Reid said he has been "humbled" by the support of the media, fans and players.
"I appreciate the support," the coach said.
Reid said coming back to coaching was the right thing to do, and what his son would have wanted.
After about two minutes, moved on from talking about his son's death to talking about the Eagles' injury report and player rotations for Thursday night's first preseason game.
But the conversation eventually shifted back to the coach's family and his son's death.
Reid used several sports metaphors, including, "Life is going to throw you curveballs ... You are going to stand there and keep swinging."
On his son's struggles, Reid said, "It's like fighting a grizzly bear. You can't win."
Reid said his family is grieving, but he credited their faith with getting them through this tragedy.
"We understand that Garrett's at peace, and that he's in good hands; great hands," he said.
Commenting again on the support they've received from friends, members of the Eagles organization, fans and people around the NFL, Reid said, "It's humbling, I can't put it to you any other way. … The fans are incredible. Their support was felt. All of it."
