Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid offered up prayers and thoughts as well as his own reflections on the legacy of Tom Heckert.
A shadow was cast upon the National Football League on Monday with news that longtime league executive Tom Heckert had passed away unexpectedly at the age of 51.
Heckert began his pro career as a pro scout with the Miami Dolphins in 1991, the start of a 27-year-long tenure in the league that also brought him into the front offices of the Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos. For Kansas City Chiefs fans, Heckert will be most familiar from his days at the latter as he has served as a director of pro personnel and advisor for John Elway since 2013.
For Andy Reid, the Chiefs head coach, he has a longstanding friendship with Heckert that runs back all the way to his stint with the Eagles as their head coach. Reid served in Philly from 1999 to 2012 and Heckert was there for the majority of that time, serving as the director of pro personnel in Philly before becoming general manager in 2006 to 2010. During his time as a head coach, Reid was well-known for being very involved in personnel matters as well which means Heckert and him worked together closely on most decisions.
Reid prepared an official statement on the passing of his friend on Monday after the Chiefs concluded training camp practice at St. Joseph, Missouri. It reads: .
"“My family and I are heartbroken over the loss of Tom. I was privileged to work with him in Philadelphia and we developed a great friendship and trust over the years. He was a special talent evaluator and well respected across the league. Beyond the game he was an exceptional person and someone I leaned on throughout our time together. My thoughts and prayers go out to Tom and his family. He will be greatly missed.”"
Heckert had not been actively working on any NFL team in 2018 due to his battle with amyloidosis as he sought treatment for the disease.