"Three soldiers were chanting 'E-A-G-L-E-S,' " Reid said by cell phone. "They brought out their jerseys, hats and flags. You can tell they live for football and when the season comes."
Later in the day, after visiting with the troops and sitting in a Humvee simulator, Reid went to dinner with soldiers from Philadelphia. The conversation could have taken place in any local tavern, from Bustleton to Broomall.
"We talked about cheesesteaks and back home," Reid said. "They asked about the [Donovan McNabb] trade. But they were upbeat about the coming season."
Reid said that he and the three other coaches - the Panthers' John Fox, the Bengals' Marvin Lewis, and the Vikings' Childress - have actually discussed very little football on the trip. But Reid has had to deal with the ongoing drama surrounding Michael Vick.
Although he has not been directly connected to the crime, the Eagles quarterback has been mired in a shooting that occurred outside a Virginia Beach nightclub that was hosting his 30th birthday party.
The Eagles, according to a statement from last week, are still "in the process of gathering all the facts" on the shooting and will "not have any comment" until they have completed their investigation.
Still, there have been cries from some media and fans for the Eagles to cut ties with Vick.
"Nothing has been decided," Reid said. "I'm standing by the statement the team released."
Eagles sources said Thursday that the team was sticking by Vick at this juncture unless further details emerge. Reid declined to say if the Eagles were waiting to make a decision until he returns from his tour. He expects to be back in the United States sometime early next week.
