That respect leads to reunions, which started in 1999. Childress was the offensive coordinator for Barry Alvarez at Wisconsin. As a long-shot choice, Reid was hired as coach of the Eagles and he hired away Childress from the Badgers.
Childress’ connection with the Eagles’ success got him hired as the Vikings coach in 2006. He just missed a Super Bowl in January 2010, and was fired after a 3-7 start that November.
Childress was the offensive coordinator in Philly, although Reid was the guy standing on the sideline, studying that giant, two-sided sheet and calling the plays.
“What’s on that placard of Andy’s?” Childress was asked this week.
He laughed and said: “You sound like Steve Spurrier asking that? He used to say, ‘I’d sure like to see what’s on that big sheet Andy Reid’s holding. I think that would be helpful.’”
Childress laughed again and said: “I can tell you one thing that’s always there, circled in the middle on one side — the officials’ names. That way, instead of ‘Hey, you,’ Andy can say, ‘Hey, Tom,’ which usually will get a better explanation of what ‘that call’ was all about. He doesn’t miss much in preparing for a game.”