The Chiefs head coach isn’t shy about his commitment to his faith and family, in addition to his passion for football

By Brandon Judd

LAS VEGAS — There are three things in Andy Reid’s life that the longtime coach values above the rest — and no, that doesn’t include cheeseburgers.

Football is an obvious one to the outside world — the Kansas City Chiefs head coach is making a bid for his third Super Bowl championship on Sunday (4:30 p.m. MST, CBS) when the Chiefs take on the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Family and faith also hold a special place — even more so — for the 25-year veteran NFL coach.

When Reid, who’s expected to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer after he retires, was asked about how he balances football and family, the 11th-year Chiefs coach took the opportunity to explain his commitment to his family and faith, along with football.

“I’d add faith in there, too, because that helps along that trail,” Reid said during a Super Bowl media session Tuesday.

“I think it’s important that you spend time with your family. I’ve got 12 grandkids and one on the way. It’s important that we divide our time up. I’m blessed to have a great wife who likes to travel and see all the grandkids. She has a little bit more freedom to do that.”

Reid, who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, explained that faith, family and football guide his life.

“If I’m not doing football or family, then I’m not doing anything. I’m not a golfer. I don’t go fishing or all that stuff. It’s either family or football or church,” he said. 

There are other Latter-day Saint members in the Chiefs building besides Reid, including practice squad tight end Matt Bushman, assistant running backs coach Porter Ellett and defensive quality control coach Alex Whittingham.

Ellett and Whittingham hail from Utah, while Bushman grew up in Arizona.

https://www.deseret.com/2024/2/8/24066311/faith-family-football-why-they-matter-to-andy-reid-kansas-city-chiefs-head-coach