For select journalism scholarships, students submit the best stories that they’ve crafted as part of the application process. From dozens of strong applications for this round of scholarships, three winners emerged – Grace Chai, Ezekiel Altman and Tymothy Brown. This is Altman’s winning submission for the UMass Community Journalism Storytelling Award, an in-depth feature on UMass football coach Jim Reid and his remarkable journey through the sport.
The year is 2008. Jim Reid, the outside linebackers coach for the Miami Dolphins, is sitting down with Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter. Both men were discussing their big victory over the New England Patriots the week prior, and their plans for the bye week.
Then… Reid was gone. For two whole minutes.
Reid had no pulse. He was placed on a stretcher and loaded into an ambulance. The team quickly rushed him to the hospital. Luckily, the training room stood adjacent to the lounge, saving Reid’s life. The next morning, doctors and other medical personnel performed a quintuple bypass surgery on his heart.
He spent a couple of days in the hospital recovering, but his main focus remained on football. While his life was at risk, his concern was with the 2-2 San Diego Chargers coming to town. He never missed a scouting report, even with his life on the line.
“All I wanted to know is, ‘Can I still coach football?’” Reid said.