About 900 Gather For Garrett Reid’s Funeral


Garrett ReidGuests began filtering in to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Broomall around 9 a.m. Tuesday morning.

More than 90 minutes later, the doors closed, and they had all finally made their way inside to pay respects to Garrett William Reid, who died Sunday morning on the Lehigh University campus at the age of 29.

By the time Eagles quarterback Michael Vick arrived a little before 10 a.m., the line had formed an L-Shape around the back entrance. A church representative estimated that around 900 guests were in attendance for the service, which began a little after 11 a.m.

People like Steve Spagnuolo, who served on Andy Reid’s staff from 1999-2006. And others like O.J. Atogwe, who just started playing for him a couple months ago.

Many current players were in attendance, along with several Eagles from years past. Brian Westbrook, Ron Jaworski, and Jeremiah Trotter to name a few.

Coaches, general managers and team presidents like Joe Banner, Tom Heckert and John Harbaugh.

Commissioner Roger Goodell, offensive line coach Howard Mudd and many others.

A little after 10 a.m., wide receiver Jason Avant made his way to the front of the line. Avant was the man charged with leading the players in prayer on the field Sunday morning after they found out the news. He was also he man who later addressed the media and talked about how Andy Reid was there for him when his father died in a car accident last offseason.

The service inside was expected to take fewer than 90 minutes.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Broomall is not the Reids’ usual church, but is the largest one in the area, a representative said.

Follow Sheil Kapadia on Twitter and e-mail him at skapadia@phillymag.com.