In his first meeting with the media since the death of George Floyd, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid came prepared to speak on the issues of racial injustice. He began his Wednesday press conference with a powerful, passionate and unfiltered show of support for the Black Lives Matter movement, his players and his community.
“With the racial issues going on now, It breaks my heart,” Reid told reporters. “I’m an old head. I’ve been around long enough to see a few generations. I’m so happy — I’m so fired up about our younger generation, man. I mean they are taking it, and they are attacking this thing the right way. We have this great country, and these kids know how great this country is. All they wanna do is make it better. I think that’s a beautiful thing. Like I said, I’m not getting any younger. I’ve got grandkids. I’m blessed that these guys and ladies are doing this and standing up for what they believe. I was lucky enough to grow up around diverse cultures and religions and everything in Los Angeles. Obviously, I was in sports at the same time, so my respect for people is for that — for people. We’re sitting here with this push on Black Lives Matter. And absolutely they matter, man. I think it’s a beautiful thing. I’m in complete support with them. I believe in communication. I believe in what my parents taught me about at times like this you have large ears — you sit, and you listen, and you learn, and you become better. That’s where I’m at.”
Reid also showed support for two of his players, Patrick Mahomes and Tyrann Mathieu. The two recently contributed to a powerful video aimed at the NFL, pleading with the league to listen to their players, admit they were wrong and publicly condemn racism.
“I appreciate Patrick (Mahomes) and Tyrann (Mathieu) for what they did and standing up and making a statement that allows all of us to be in a better place where love is first,” Reid said. “And we can surround all of ourselves with great people and most of all respect people that we come in contact with. I go way back. I’m glad the heavenly father gave me an opportunity to be here, first of all. And then, there’s a reason why our players in the NFL get so excited to come to work every day. The coaches get so excited. I’ll speak for myself — I don’t want to speak for others here. I get fired up every day because I get to work with our guys, and I get to see how much they thrive on life and competition and just the greatness they bring every day. I always wish that everybody could feel that. That’s what our guys want. They want to take this and allow others to feel it. We’ve got to be open-minded and open-hearted to do this.”
Reid also sought to highlight the steps that others in the Chiefs organization had taken to support Chiefs’ players. And not just in having their voices heard on these important issues, but in putting action behind those voices to make Kansas City a better place.
“I respect how (Chiefs chairman & CEO) Clark Hunt has taken this and jumped in with the players and just said, ‘Hey listen, I’m in support. I’m all ears, man. I want to learn, and I want to listen, and I want to help,'” Reid said. “And (team president) Mark Donovan has been just tremendous with the guys, as (general manager) Brett Veach has been in the support. Tyrann and Patrick have kind of headed up with players in putting together some thoughts on what they can do to make things better in Kansas City here, and they’re working through that now, which again I appreciate and completely support it.”
This isn’t the first time Reid has encountered racial injustice. In his 62 years of life, he’s seen it manifest in different places. While his young players might be leading the charge in the fight against racism, Reid recognizes that the old folks can get involved too.
“Again, my heart goes out to the three people (George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery) that have passed away, but this isn’t something that’s new,” Reid explained. “I saw it as a young person, and it’s going on today. Technology has exploited it here so that we can all see it. You better believe it, man. You better believe it. It’s real, and it needs to end. And our hands, us old folks, man, this younger generation, they are studs. They believe in themselves, they believe in each other, and they believe in equality. Let’s jump in, man. Let’s jump in full-fledge. Let’s jump in, let’s learn, let’s listen, and let’s make this place even greater than it already is right now. We have a chance to do that.”
