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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 9:34 a.m., Friday, November 2, 2007

NFL: Andy Reid plans to remain Eagles coach

By BOB LENTZ
Associated Press Writer

PHILADELPHIA — Andy Reid has no intention of stepping down as coach of the Philadelphia Eagles despite being castigated by a judge who likened the coach's home to a "drug emporium."

Asked at his regular Friday news conference whether he planned to coach the Eagles for the long term, Reid answered with one word: "Yes."

The judge's comments were made Thursday, the same day his two sons were sentenced to prison terms.

"I know this is a big story for everybody and I respect that," Reid said. "On the other hand, I can't go into questioning on it at this time.

"However, as parents we have huge concerns for our two boys. This has been a battle we have dealt with here for a few years and I'm sure we'll continue to address the situation. ... Our prayers are obviously with the boys, for their future, and to make sure things work out, where they can live a normal life down the road."

The statement was the most Reid has said about his sons' legal problems. He took a five-week leave earlier this year.

But two days before hosting the Dallas Cowboys in a pivotal game, Reid was all business. He directed the offense through a myriad of drills as TV commentator John Madden and Eagles chairman Jeffrey Lurie looked on.

Montgomery County Judge Steven O'Neill called the Reids a "family in crisis" and questioned whether Britt and Garrett Reid should return to their parents' home after they serve their jail terms.

"There isn't any structure there that this court can depend upon," O'Neill said.

The judge noted that Andy and Tammy Reid love their sons and have supported them through repeated attempts at drug rehabilitation. But he wondered aloud how the parents could be blind to the long list of drugs, guns and ammunition that police found in the Reids' home and vehicles.

"These are highly addictive medications that are just around the house with two addicts in it," O'Neill said. "It sounds more or less like a drug emporium."

That same day, 22-year-old Britt Reid detailed his eight-year struggle with painkillers and other drugs as he was sentenced to eight to 23 months in jail for pointing a gun at another driver on Jan. 30. He also pleaded guilty to charges including carrying a firearm without a license.

His 24-year-old brother, Garrett, was sentenced to two to 23 months in jail for a high-speed crash in which another driver was injured. Police found heroin, steroids and more than 200 pills in his car and he admitted using heroin on the day of the crash.

On Friday, prosecutors charged Garrett Reid with five additional drug counts related to 89 pills he had smuggled into prison. His cellmate said he saw Reid remove the pills from his rectum and that Reid offered him some of the pills.

On Thursday night, police searched the Reid home to corroborate the cellmate's story. They found numerous drugs in Garrett Reid's room, including several prescriptions in his name and other prescriptions in his brother's name. They also found two syringes and eight needles.