Early in Episode 2 of ”The Kingdom,” ESPN’s documentary of the Chiefs’ pursuit of a third straight Super Bowl, a cameraman rode along with Andy Reid to the practice facility.
The time stamp: 3:34 a.m.
This isn’t an exception for Reid, the earliest of risers. He’s often spoken about seeing fans lined up at Arrowhead gates on game mornings when he arrives.
But beating the sunrise is a daily routine and has been nearly a lifelong practice.
“I try to get into the office when there’s nobody there just so you can get some quiet work done,” Reid says on “The Kingdom.” “After midnight and early in the morning, I have good thoughts. I think there’s just not a lot of other clutter in there.”
The camera follows Reid through an empty facility. The night owl hours aren’t new. Reid said in an interview that he developed the habit as a junior high student in Los Angeles when he rode with his father, Walter, to the school, located across the street from where he worked as an artist creating sets for stage productions.
At school, Reid met the wood shop teacher and became his assistant, cutting wood and working on projects. One of Reid’s creations was a grandfather clock.
Reid understands he’s going against the nocturnal grain.
“There’s nothing to brag about,” Reid said. “The science tells you that’s pretty dumb. But I’ve always been this way. It’s not something where I have to set an alarm clock. I just kind of get up and go.”
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and Sleep Research Society (SRS) developed a consensus recommendation for seven hours of sleep needed to promote optimal health in adults. Reid doesn’t come close.
But nobody’s arguing with the success of the 67-year-old coach whose 273 career victories rank fourth in the NFL regular season. His 28 playoff triumphs trail only Bill Belichick, and the Chiefs have won three Super Bowls in the past five years.
Dave Toub, who has coached with Reid for 20 seasons, including stops at Missouri and the Philadelphia Eagles, marvels at Reid’s ability to not sleep.
“I don’t know how he does it,” Toub said. “It’s real. I’ve got to have seven hours. If I don’t get seven hours, I’m toast.”
“I’ve never come to work not seeing his car there. As early as I come in, it’s always there. And when I leave, it’s there. It’s amazing.”