Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has earned a legendary status in the NFL, boasting three Super Bowl titles as a head coach.
With a fourth Super Bowl ring as a quarterbacks coach under Mike Holmgren during the Green Bay Packers’ Brett Favre era, Reid has achieved remarkable success in his career.
As the 2024 NFL season approaches, with the Chiefs set to face the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 5, Reid is closing in on an impressive milestone of 300 career coaching victories.
However, Reid’s most significant win may have come more than 40 years ago.
Tammy Reid has been a constant in Andy Reid’s life since the early 1980s, sharing in his triumphs and supporting him through challenges.
The couple first crossed paths in 1980 on the campus of Brigham Young University (BYU). At the time, Andy was so involved with Tammy that he converted to the Mormon faith.
Born on November 6, 1959, in New York City, Tammy later moved to Tennessee and then Arizona, where she completed high school.
Raised in a close-knit family, Tammy was deeply rooted in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormon church), and she went on to study physical education at BYU.
The pair didn’t meet through football, though. Surprisingly, it was a shared interest in tennis that initially brought them together, as they both enrolled in a tennis class at BYU.
They bonded quickly over their love for sports, but it was Tammy who made the first move, asking Andy on a date to play racquetball. Their connection blossomed, and just one year after meeting, they were married in 1981.
As Andy’s NFL career flourished, Tammy’s role as his steadfast supporter became increasingly visible. Following his first Super Bowl win as a head coach—when the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 in 2020—Andy expressed his gratitude for her unwavering support.
In a rare public moment of relationship advice, he said, “Every day is a special day, I’m telling ya. I call her my girlfriend for that reason. You never lose interest if you do that, right, you guys out there? Call them your girlfriend, and you always do special things for them.”
The Reid marriage has endured for over four decades since their first racquetball date. Together, they have raised five children—three sons and two daughters.
Tammy has been by Andy’s side through the highs and lows, including 160 career NFL losses, but their toughest challenge came with the loss of their eldest son, Garrett Reid.
In 2012, Garrett passed away due to a heroin overdose, a tragedy that rocked the family. When Andy secured his first Super Bowl victory with the Chiefs in 2020, Tammy remarked that she felt Garrett was watching over them.
The Reids have faced other challenges as well, including legal troubles involving their son Britt Reid, who has also coached under Andy.
Yet, Tammy describes Andy as a dedicated family man, always prioritizing time with his children and grandchildren. The couple’s strong family values are rooted in hard work and perseverance.
While Tammy may shy away from the NFL spotlight, she remains Andy’s biggest supporter. She is often seen by his side after every game, offering encouragement and standing by his decisions.
She has complete faith in Andy’s career, which has led them across the country, from state to state, as his coaching career has evolved. Beyond football, the couple shares a commitment to giving back to their community.
Their impressive collective résumé includes Andy’s four Super Bowl rings—three as a head coach with the Kansas City Chiefs and one with the Green Bay Packers as quarterbacks coach. Regardless of whether they win or lose on the field, Tammy remains ever-optimistic.
Reflecting on their journey, she shared, “Maybe people don’t know this about me, but I’m a very positive person, and I have the ultimate trust in Andrew as a coach. We’ve been through 38 years of coaching, and so I never don’t think we’re going to win.”
While Andy demands excellence on the football field, Tammy devotes her time to causes close to her heart, particularly advocating for survivors of domestic violence and abuse.
Her volunteer work began in Philadelphia with the Laurel House, where she has served on the advisory board, helping to plan community events and annual galas.
Additionally, Tammy founded the Eagles’ Women’s Association, encouraging the spouses of NFL coaches and players to get involved in their local communities.
Tammy’s dedication to her causes and her support for Andy’s career make her an integral part of the Reid family legacy.
Though she stays out of the NFL limelight, her impact behind the scenes is undeniable, contributing to the family’s values of service, hard work, and resilience.
