“I always say it’s the toughest job in the world. When you win, it’s expected. When you lose, it’s on you,” reflects the sentiment of coaching legend Bill Belichick. These words could easily apply to Andy Reid’s role. However, amidst this unpredictable gridiron journey, Reid has his wife and kids to support him through the ups and downs.

Andy and his wife Tammy Reid’s journey began at Brigham Young University, where they met and married in 1981. “I wanted him to ask me out but he wouldn’t ask me out so I finally goaded him into asking me out and we played racquetball for our first date,” Tammy once revealed to PEOPLE. Little did they know that their family would become a testament to both triumph and tragedy in the unforgiving spotlight of professional sports as they raised their kids.

The long shadow of loss for the Reid family

Andy Reid’s name is synonymous with success in the NFL. But behind the headset and clipboard lies a family story as complex as any game-winning strategy. The Reid household, with its five children born across five different states, has weathered tragic storms.

Despite the demands of his coaching roles, Andy was an ever-present father. Former Eagles president Joe Banner noted as per The Sun, “He would leave home for his Green Bay office at 4 am to work a couple of hours, then return home to help get the children ready for school before going back to work. This wasn’t an anecdote told just to get hired. He did that for the 14 years that I worked with him. He was as loving and caring a father that I have ever seen.”

The Reid family’s story took a tragic turn in 2012 when their eldest son, Garrett, passed away at just 29. Found in his dorm room at Lehigh University, Garrett had been working as an unofficial assistant to the Eagles’ strength and conditioning staff, seemingly turning his life around after a turbulent and troublesome youth.

Andy Reid, known for his stoic demeanor on the sidelines, showed rare vulnerability in the wake of this loss. “We loved Garrett so much,” he said in a statement. “He was a wonderful son and brother. He made us laugh, he was a pleasure to be around, he always had a smile on his face, and we will miss him dearly.”

Meanwhile, Reid’s second son Britt Reid’s journey has been a rollercoaster of challenges and attempts at redemption. He faced legal troubles, culminating in a 2021 incident that left a 5-year-old girl with severe injuries. “I just needed to grow up,” Britt once said to the New York Times, reflecting on his past mistakes. “Some people make dumber decisions than others when young, and you’ve just got to learn from them.”

However, his journey to redemption has been fraught with setbacks. Amidst these headlines, the other Reid children have carved out their paths of quiet achievement.

Spencer, Crosby, and Drew Ann are the quiet achievers

Spencer, the youngest, has followed in his father’s footsteps. “As a player, I loved the camaraderie, I loved that side of it,” Spencer shared about his transition to coaching to Coloradoan. Before becoming a strength and conditioning coach, Spencer played football at Temple University. He then completed a two-year mission for the Mormon Church in Fresno, California, before returning to football in a coaching capacity.

Crosby, the elder daughter, has lent her voice to her father’s team, singing the National Anthem at Arrowhead Stadium. Her performances have become a tradition for the Chiefs, including a memorable rendition before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers in December 2019. Andy Reid, ever the proud father, joked about her abilities as per PEOPLE: “I can’t sing a lick! My wife, it’s all on her side.” Her presence at her father’s first Super Bowl win as Chiefs head coach in 2020 was bittersweet. “Garrett’s spirit was there. It was a huge family moment seeing my dad’s dream finally come true,” Crosby reflected.

Drew Ann, though more private, has built a life intertwined with football. Married to former Chiefs assistant strength coach Devin Woodhouse, she’s raising three children – daughters Blake and Brigitte and son Reid – while supporting her father’s career from the sidelines.

Through it all, Tammy Reid has been the family’s anchor. Her involvement in philanthropy, particularly with domestic violence charities, speaks to her strength and compassion. She founded the Eagles Women’s Association “to help encourage coaches’ and players’ wives and girlfriends to become more involved in the community,” showing that the Reid family’s impact extends far beyond the football field.

As Andy Reid continues to make NFL history, his greatest victory may be the resilience of the team he’s built at home. Each of the Reid children was born in a different state, a testament to Andy’s rising coaching career. Tammy once joked that when she became pregnant with their fifth child, she told Andy they “had to move” because they’d “already had a baby here!”

From Spencer’s coaching career to Crosby’s musical talents and Drew Ann’s quiet support, the Reid family story is one of enduring strength in the face of both public triumphs and private challenges.