Britt Reid: First Class Idiot

In this case, the way that I define "idiot" is either a person who has the capacity to do the right thing and does not, or the capacity a person has to hurt others.

Britt qualifies in both ways. There is a small child struggling for their life this Super Bowl Weekend because of him.

 

Britt. Dude. IDIOT.

 

Your dad went to Brigham Young University as I did. That means we do not drink while there, and more or less we commit to a lifetime of sobriety. Did you get your drinking and and drug habits from your dad, one of the most successful football coaches of all time? I don't think so. Did you pick up drinking alcohol from your siblings, or perhaps your troubled or spoiled peers? Or did you pick up drinking booze because of the rigors of a tough life? Okay, maybe you have had mental problems. I am truly sorry if that is the case. But this week of the pandemic you had a few drinks, "two or three", and then you hit two parked vehicles and small minors are involved, and they are in critical condition.

Dude. It is the week of the Super Bowl, your dad's team (and the team that pays you handsomely to work and you are supposed help them! (Nepotism?)) is about to play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and perform at the highest level of your alleged craft. And you have "a few drinks" a few days before the game. And drive. A weaponized multi-ton chunk of steel!

We have a song or hymn in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is entitled as a question, "Shall the Youth of Zion Falter?".

Britt Reid, you have faltered. Multiple times. I wish you were in the critical care spot of the hospital, not the little five year-old that you endangered through your idiotic drinking and driving.

Who taught you to drink alcohol, you first class moron and idiot? Sorry, I am having a hard time containing my level of anger or vitriol toward you. God should forgive me, eventually.

You have faltered. You don't have to believe that Jesus Christ paid for your sins (you should, I invite you to), you do not have to believe that God the Father has a plan for happiness for all His children, you do not have to believe that being an active member in this or any faith community helps you and us all, you do not have to believe that Joseph Smith was the prophet and restorer of our generation and that the Word of Wisdom revealed to him should help us avoid alcohol and other illicit drugs...

 

Just don't be an idiot. Any of the above items might help you avoid the latter, however.

You do not have to attend the temple, be married to your spouse for time and all eternity, sealed to your children, committed to living a sober life, attend church, minister to other families, widows and orphans, be an active part of the community helping those with needs, sickness, and poverty.

No, you are the one who needs it, bro. We need to cater to you, a guy whose dad has made millions for decades. I am sure it has not been the easiest. But I think you have some serious issues that you need to fix. Before you endanger and kill others, including yourself.

Did the early death of your brother who got involved in dealing drugs, and died prematurely a few years ago teach you nothing? Apparently not. Now, have you suffered from depression or other mental anguish from the loss of your brother and other hard things in your life? I am sorry. But it does not justify drinking booze, driving, and hurting and killing innocent bystanders.

Idiot.

If I meet you someday, I am sure you will be contrite. Sorry. Apologetic. You better be. You are such a poor example of what your dad, his Church (yours?), and the Brigham Young program that gave him access to excellence has done for him. You did not live in Utah. You grew up in the burbs of Philly, where you or your brother got involved in the thug life and dealt the deadly trade of drugs.

Not enough daddy time, maybe? I got questions, dude. Has the year of the pandemic given you too much stress? You gotta drink, take the edge off?

Dude.

I am not perfect. However, I do not ingest chemicals that inebriate me, nor do I have a checkered past like you. Is your current life supporting a pro team at the top of its game too much for you? The season has gone too long because they are so great, greatness that apparently you have contributed to? Your dad's system of achievement is too much for you?

Dude. You hit two vehicles, disabled after regular car issues in a normal way, and seriously injured innocents.

I have always been haunted by potentially hurting or killing someone else in a moving vehicle, or me simply being careless and doing that by some other means.

Britt, you have faltered. God will give you and me and us only so many chances.

You need to get a grip, Britt.

May this be a cautionary tale to the rest of us.

Don't be a class one idiot.

Try a little harder.

--Fast Sunday, and Super Bowl Sunday, 2021.