Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy's eyes watered as he described the impact of the drowning death of the 21-year-old son of offensive coordinator Joe Philbin.
"It was a punch in the heart," McCarthy said before a brief pause. "It lets everybody know how fortunate we are to be where we are."
During a news conference Wednesday, McCarthy said Joe Philbin hasn't been with the team in recent days and the other coaches have assumed Philbin's duties as the team prepares for its divisional-round playoff game Sunday against the New York Giants.
"Joe Philbin is where he is supposed to be," McCarthy said. "We haven't even talked about his responsibilities (with the team) and will not. He's with family, and he'll return when he's ready to return."
Philbin's son, Michael, fell through a thin sheet of ice along a river in Oshkosh early Sunday morning. Philbin had been visiting friends at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. His body was recovered on Monday.
A preliminary autopsy released on Wednesday determined that Michael Philbin's death was caused by drowning, according to a statement released by the Oshkosh police. Toxicology reports will not be back for as long as four weeks.
Michael Philbin's funeral is scheduled for Friday, plans McCarthy said he had just learned about before he met with the media.
"I'm not sure, but because I know the organization I am pretty sure there will be some support at that funeral," Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings said.
