Now that the game is over, it is easier to say that Coach Andy Reid's presence on the Kansas City Chiefs sideline in Super Bowl LV was uncomfortable.
The team's turning point in the team's preparation came Thursday night when Reid son and linebackers coach Britt Reid plowed into two parked cars on an Interstate 435 onramp, impacting a single mother of three and her family. Although no charges have been officially filed, reports have Britt Reid admitting to authorities that he had been drinking before the crash.
To anyone without a rooting interest, or even Kansas City area residents and loyal fans who have rooted for the team to repeat as Super Bowl Champions, the spectacle became moot with a five year-old girl only known as Ariel remains in a coma and gravely injured.
Still, the media headlines remained surprisingly tone-deaf in the hours leading into the game. The Chiefs team plane triumphantly landed in Tampa Saturday afternoon. An internet search found articles on Reid's quest to cement his legacy with a second championship.
The Salt Lake Tribune even recycled a headline about Andy Reid and his Mormon faith going 'hand in hand'.
Yes, there is indeed a LDS temple just north of Arrowhead Stadium. Most who have followed Reid's career knows he attended Brigham Young University and became a church member. He and wife Tammy have been married 39 years and had five children.
That includes Britt and Garrett Reid, whose battles with drugs and substance abuse lurked during Reid's coaching career. The two were both arrested on the same day once and Garrett Reid died of a heroin overdose in 2012.
The story of Reid's family mirrors that of many Mormon families who face difficulties with family members whose life directions veers off the LDS Honor code.
During the CBS game telecast, the subject of Reid was moot until Jim Nantz made reference in the closing minutes with the outcome in hand. Until then Reid was not mentioned much except for talk about game strategy, etc.
It became easier to talk up the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, their coach Bruce Arians and quarterback Tom Brady adding to his professional legacy.
After the game Reid finally addressed the situation of his own and now someone else's family, saying his 'heart bleeds for everyone'. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and teammates answered questions from reporters on how the Reid family situation possibly affected the game.
One can imagine how awkward the trophy presentation would had been if Kansas City won. On this day, it was likely fortunate that turned out not to be the case.
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