“I am extremely proud of him”
If one good thing has emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic for Alouettes defensive back Greg Reid, it’s that he gets to enjoy the fall season with his eight-year-old son Ayden for the very first time. The child splits his time between his mother and his father, who live 30 minutes apart. Reid and his son’s mother have maintained a good relationship, which makes it easy for him to see his son regularly. And he cherishes every single moment.
Greg Reid has been playing with the Alouettes since 2018. He discreetly climbed up the ranks to become a CFL leader (12th overall) in defensive tackles in 2019, with 71. He also recorded three interceptions and two quarterback sacks.
The thirty-year-old was looking forward to the 2020 season and was planning to keep the momentum going. “Here in Georgia, the gyms are open, so I train five times a week. In addition to that, I walk my dog several times a day,” he adds with a touch of humor. After coming to terms with the idea that he had no control over the situation when the cancellation of the 2020 season was announced, he decided to take the steps he needed to be at the top of his game when CFL football resumed. In the meantime, he enjoys quality time with his son, dog, and loved ones.
“My son came to one of our games last year and loved the experience, he was proud of me and it made me so happy. This year, we spend a lot more time together. Due to the pandemic, he does virtual school from home; I get to help him do his homework and bring him to his football games».
Reid is pleased with his son’s results at school. “It’s not easy to learn in a virtual setting, you have to change the way you do things, you have to organize yourself differently. But it’s going great and I’m extremely proud of him,” says the Alouettes’ player.
Reid, discrete by nature, used to watch his son’s games and practices without saying anything, just like a regular dad who encourages his son in the stands. But it didn’t take long before he was recognized. He is now much more involved with his son’s team and helps the coach out with advice coming straight from a seasoned pro. Ayden plays for the North Gwinnett U8 team.
“At his age, it’s beneficial for him to have fun with other children on a field, to interact with them. He’s learning a sport, developing skills, building a team spirit, and making new friends. It’s all that matters to me.”
Through the phone, we could distinctly hear the sound of motocross engines revving in the background. It’s a popular sport in Reid’s neck of the wood, and he’s been a fan of it since he was seven years old. “I’ve been riding motocross since I was a kid, it’s become a part of me. I feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins when I’m riding. It’s hard to explain, but it’s a great feeling”. This type of activity allows him to disconnect from the reality of the pandemic for a brief moment. He also enjoys playing a few games of “Call of Duty” on the PlayStation 4 after a hard day of work lifting iron.…
