Eagles’ decision to fire Andy Reid changed landscape of NFL forever

Eagles’ decision to fire Andy Reid changed landscape of NFL forever

He was a fired coach walking, he already knew that, but Andy Reid figured: If I’m going out anyway, I ought to remind everybody I was in the room. It was gray and windy that Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, when he hopped off the Philadelphia Eagles team bus at MetLife Stadium for one last skirmish with the Giants.

The Giants needed a win and some help in Detroit to keep their Super Bowl defense alive. The Eagles were simply eager to end a season that had devolved into a 4-11 mess, hoping to avoid an 11th loss in the final 12 weeks. Reid brought a little friend with him — the Super Bowl ring he’d earned as an ᴀssistant for the Packers back in 1996.

It was a curious choice, a reminder both of his greatest day but also of the fact that he’d never quite been able to duplicate that with the Eagles despite coming close an awful lot. Reid had already earned his reputation as a guy who can get you close, just not get you there. The ring seemed to symbolize all of that.

Andy Reid holds up the Super Bowl trophy along with Chiefs owner Clark Hunt after their 2024 Super Bowl win over the 49ers. AP

Then, first play of the game, he ordered an onside kick. Alex Henery pulled it off beautifully. Brandon Hughes recovered. One final trick from a coach who always seemed to have a bagful of them, and it cast an immediate pall on 80,657 Giants fans looking for a closing-day parlay there and at Ford Field.

Related Posts

Chiefs bring in ex-crime boss to inspire Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes and Co during NFL training camp

Chiefs bring in ex-crime boss to inspire Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes and Co during NFL training camp

The Kansas City Chiefs were treated to a motivational talk from a reformed crime boss, who then sat alongside Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes for a watch party…

Aaron Rodgers opens up on his ‘incredible’ new wife as NFL legend discusses secret wedding

Aaron Rodgers opens up on his ‘incredible’ new wife as NFL legend discusses secret wedding

Aaron Rodgers has paid a touching tribute to his mystery wife and revealed how their secret wedding has given him the belief that he can do ‘anything’….

NFL first-round draft pick Treylon Burks fractures collar bone in crushing blow to Tennessee тιтans

NFL first-round draft pick Treylon Burks fractures collar bone in crushing blow to Tennessee тιтans

The Tennessee тιтans have been hit with a disappointing setback with wide receiver Treylon Burks reportedly breaking his collar bone in practice. The 25-year-old Burks, a first-round…

Travis Kelce’s friend predicts stunning Chiefs trade that will see him ditch NFL retirement plans

Travis Kelce’s friend predicts stunning Chiefs trade that will see him ditch NFL retirement plans

Travis Kelce’s sports analyst friend Nick Wright has theorized that there could be one player to convince the Kansas City Chiefs star to play one more season…

Shedeur Sanders endures new NFL humiliation at Cleveland Browns camp, months after shock Draft slide

Shedeur Sanders endures new NFL humiliation at Cleveland Browns camp, months after shock Draft slide

If Shedeur Sanders is going to fulfil his dream of becoming a starting NFL quarterback at the Cleveland Browns, he is going to do it the hard…

Travis Kelce leaves fans baffled with his latest endorsement: ‘Most random crossover’

Travis Kelce leaves fans baffled with his latest endorsement: ‘Most random crossover’

Travis Kelce has left fans stunned with his latest partnership after the NFL star teamed up with one of the internet’s most popular online games.  The Kansas…