Eric Reid (in white) is teaming with Gatorade to tout hydration awareness in prep athletes.San Francisco 49ers Pro Bowl safety
Eric Reid said he could remember the health scare like it was yesterday.
He was a 13-year-old eighth-grader in Geismar, Louisiana. It was a typical sweltering deep South summer's day and he was thirsty. Crazy thirsty.
"I was at my grandmother's downing every kind of soda I could get my hands on," Reid said. "It was one carbonated drink after another after another."
The next day at his middle school football practice, Reid got lightheaded, dehydrated and felt "like I was about to pass out." He knew the symptoms of heat exhaustion. Luckily too, he said, so did his coach. Reid was fine, but changed forever.
"Literally, to this day, I don't drink anything carbonated," he said. "I learned then everything I needed to know about the importance of hydration. Everyone should know it especially if you're an athlete, especially if you're from the South.
"I was born and raised from a place where the heat can kill you. Literally."
That's why Reid has jumped on board the Gatorade Beat the Heat Program. In its 10th year, the program is one of the country's most vital in raising awareness and educating athletes about the dangers of improper hydration. The program is endorsed by the NFL, NBA, MLB and MLS.
Heat and hydration are huge issues at all levels, but especially in high schools; particularly as summer workouts and practices begin. According to the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, as many as 70 percent of high school players show up for practice inadequately hydrated.
Players can go to Gatorade.com to d
ownload the 2014 Heat Safety Kit for more information.
"If you're feeling lightheaded and thirsty on a football field it's probably too late," Reid said. "It's so vital to be proactive and hydrate well before practice."
See Mitch Stephens' story about the Beat the Heat program with Jason Witten last seasonSince 2006, more than 20 high school football players have died from heatstroke due to exertion, according to the University of North Carolina's National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research.
Fortunately for Reid, he wasn't a statistic and went on to a highly successful prep career at
Dutchtown (Geismar, La.), where he was ranked one of the top safeties in the country. He played alongside 2013 Rookie of the Year Eddie Lacy at Dutchtown as a junior.
"He helped make us a pretty formidable team," Reid said.
Reid went on to play three seasons at LSU, earning consensus All-American honors as a junior. He entered the NFL Draft early, was selected with the 18th pick of the 2013 draft and made an immediate impact with 77 tackles and four interceptions as a rookie.
He said he can't wait to play in the 49ers' new home, Levi's Stadium. San Francisco has played in three straight NFC title games, losing last year to eventual Super Bowl champion and division rival Seattle.
"Seems like everyone has toured the facility but us," he said. "All the guys are anxious and definitely excited. I can't wait."
