D.J. Reed discusses emotions of playing Jets' opener shortly after father's death

D.J. Reed played Sunday’s game with an extremely heavy heart.

Just before the Jets were introduced in their home opener, the cornerback received some texts from his family that his father had passed away after a long battle with multiple sclerosis. Reed broke down and cried during the national anthem.

“I’m paying tribute to my dad the whole year,” Reed said Monday afternoon. “This season is for my dad.”

Dennis Reed was on life support last week back home in Iowa, breathing through a tube. He wanted the tube removed. D.J.’s mother told her son the dire news on Wednesday that his father probably wouldn’t survive.

Dennis Jr. (D.J.) said he “grieved and weeped” Wednesday and Thursday after saying his goodbyes to his father on the phone.

“When they said he was going to pass over, I spoke to him on Wednesday,” Reed said. “I said, ‘I love you. You fought the good fight. Thank you for everything.’ ”

Reed, 25, said he and his father were close. His dad introduced Reed to all sports and was inspirational to him. Reed said his father always was the same person even as he battled MS.

“In front of me and talking on the phone, he always had a sense of humor, always was smiling, joking, cracking jokes, just trying to make light of things,” Reed said. “I learned a lot from his personality and doing that during tough times.”

Dennis Reed would have been proud of his son for the way he fought through his pain and played in the Jets’ 24-9 loss to the Ravens. Reed said his “emotions were everywhere,” but he controlled his energy and focused on playing — for his father.

“I said, ‘OK, I know he’s watching, so I’m going to put on a show for him,’ ” Reed said.

Reed played every defensive snap and picked off Lamar Jackson in the second half. Reed ran to midfield, knelt on the NFL logo and raised both arms to the sky with the ball in his right hand in a tribute to his dad. The Jets were losing 24-3, but the score wasn’t on Reed’s mind.

“It was just deeper than football when I got the interception,” he said. “That’s what I wanted to do, I wanted to pay tribute to my dad. I already knew what I was going to do and that’s what I did.”

Reed said “the toughest part” for him was that he and his girlfriend are expecting a child. She is due in two months. Reed planned to go to Iowa in the offseason to introduce his child to his dad.

“That’s what had me really emotional,” he said. “I wanted my dad to see his granddaughter. She will be born in two months. During the offseason, that was one of the first things to do: Go take my daughter to go see her grandfather. For that not to happen was tough.”

Reed doesn’t know yet if he will attend the funeral. He and his father communicated often and to the end. Reed said “there’s nothing but love,” and he wants to keep his mind on football.

“For me, the best situation is to keep busy,” he said. “That’s what I’ve been doing, being around my teammates, being around the building. That’s what helps me. I don’t want to just sit and just dwell and think about stuff. I don’t think I’ll be in a good headspace if I do that.”

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.