In 2013, Jodi Leeper had a simple idea for her 5-month-old son, Graham, who she thought had an “old-man face.” With Halloween approaching, she thought it would be fun to dress him as a grown-up. Maybe a suit and briefcase, something cute for the occasion.
After searching online for inspiration, Jodi found a mini outfit inspired by Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka, complete with his signature sweater, mustache, and sunglasses. She shared the idea with her husband, B.J., but as die-hard Kansas City Chiefs fans, they quickly switched gears. The Chiefs were undefeated at the time under their new head coach, Andy Reid, known for his own mustache.
“No,” B.J. said, “Let’s do Andy Reid.”
With the plan set, the Leepers got to work. Jodi’s brother, an optometrist, helped find the perfect pair of pediatric glasses for Graham, matching Reid’s signature eyewear. A mini headset from a Happy Meal would add the finishing touch to Graham’s costume. The Chiefs shirt and hat were easy to find. As for Reid’s iconic mustache, they used the mane from a toy horse, attaching it to Graham’s pacifier when the baby refused to keep it on his face. The glasses, though, kept slipping down his nose, giving Graham a funny, bewildered look, perfectly capturing the coach’s vibe.
B.J. took a picture of his son dressed as Andy Reid and posted it on Twitter. What followed was a viral sensation. The photo quickly became a hit, with one outlet calling it “the best Halloween costume ever.” Over the years, the “Andy Reid Baby” costume continued to capture the hearts of fans and might have even contributed to Reid’s reputation as a friendly and approachable figure, alongside stars like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
During a press conference that season, Reid himself was asked about the picture. “Graham, right? I thought he had a heck of a mustache,” he remarked. The media frenzy followed. Local and national outlets sought out Jodi and B.J., and they found themselves at the center of attention. Jodi, in sweats and a ponytail, even gave a spontaneous press conference. B.J. would be interrupted by reporters during his physical therapy appointments, with outlets like Sports Illustrated and TMZ calling.
In 2017, the Leepers moved to Somers, Montana, where Graham, now 11, is active in football, baseball, and basketball. Despite his fame, Graham is the shyest of the Leeper children and was notably quiet when he was younger. His parents joke that the attention must have been a shock to him.
Looking back at the viral costume, Graham now finds it “pretty funny” how closely the mustache matched Reid’s. However, his dad, B.J., jokingly warns him that it will come back to haunt him during his senior year when students share their baby pictures.
The Leepers remain loyal Chiefs fans. Graham’s current favorite player is running back Isiah Pacheco, who wears the same No. 10 jersey. Recently, B.J. took his oldest son to his first Chiefs game for his 16th birthday, and Graham hopes for a similar experience. This Sunday, Graham will watch the Super Bowl with family and friends in Montana, where they’ll enjoy Boulevard beer, a Kansas City favorite. As for the game, Graham, now affectionately known as the Andy Reid Baby, is predicting the Chiefs will win by a field goal.
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