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Ed Reed
Ed Reed 2008-08-13
Ed Reed at the Baltimore Ravens 2008 Training Camp.
No. --     Free Agent
Safety
Personal information
Date of birth: (1978-09-11) September 11, 1978 (age 45)
Place of birth: St. Rose, Louisiana
High School: Destrehan (LA)
Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Weight: 205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
College: Miami (FL)
NFL Draft: 2002 / Round: 1 / Pick: 24
Debuted in 2002 for the Baltimore Ravens
Career history
* Baltimore Ravens ( 2002 2012)
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
* 9× Pro Bowl (2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2013
Tackles     643
Interceptions     64
INT return yards     1,590
Touchdowns     13
Forced fumbles     11
Stats at NFL.com
Stats at pro-football-reference.com

Edward Earl Reed, Jr. (born September 11, 1978) is an American football safety who is currently a free agent in the National Football League (NFL). Before playing in the NFL, he played college football for the University of Miami, where he was a two-time All-American. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft and played eleven seasons for the Ravens before signing with the Texans, and later the Jets in 2013.

During his career, Reed was selected to nine total Pro Bowls, was the 2004 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award winner, and has an NFL record for the two longest interception returns (106 yards in 2004 and 108 yards in 2008). He also holds the all-time NFL record for interception return yards, currently with 1,590, and postseason interceptions (9, tied with three other players). Reed is considered one of the greatest safeties of all time in the NFL and is often referred to as a "ball hawk."[1][2][3][4] Since entering the league, Reed was best known for studying film to memorize opposing teams' tendencies,[5][6] as well as his ability to lure quarterbacks into throwing interceptions.[7]

Early years[]

Reed was born in Jefferson, Louisiana on September 11, 1978. He attended the Destrehan High School in Destrehan, Louisiana.[8] He was an all-state selection at defensive back and as a kick returner and also the New Orleans Times-Picayune District Most Valuable Defensive Player.[9]

He totaled 83 tackles, seven interceptions, three forced fumbles and 12 passes deflected in his senior year while also seeing action at running back and quarterback. He also returned three punts for touchdowns.[9] Reed also played basketball, baseball, and track & field.[10]

Track and field[]

Reed was also a standout track athlete at Destrehan (LA). He was a state qualifier in the javelin throw and the 4 × 100 metres relay.[9] He set a high school record throw of 56.94 meters in the javelin throw. In long jump, he recorded a personal best leap of 7.20 meters. He also competed in triple jump, recording a personal best leap of 14.58 meters.

He continued his interest in athletics into university, being also a member of the University of Miami track and field team.

College career[]

Reed received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Miami, where he was a standout defensive back for coach Butch Davis and coach Larry Coker's Miami Hurricanes football teams from 1997 to 2001.[9] He played for the Hurricanes team that won the 2001 National Championship.[11]

After redshirting in 1997, Reed led the team with 2 interceptions and 4 forced fumbles in 1998. He had 2 more interceptions in 1999.[9] Reed was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American in 2000, and a unanimous first-team All-American in 2001.[12] In 2001, he led the nation with nine interceptions for 209 yards (a school record) and three touchdowns. He helped seal a memorable win over Boston College in 2001 when he grabbed the ball out of teammate Matt Walters' hands, who had just intercepted it, and raced 80 yards for a touchdown.[13] Reed was honored as the Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 2001, and was named National Defensive Player of the Year by Football News. He was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and was a semifinalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.[9]

Reed set several records during his time at Miami. He holds the record for career interceptions with 21, career interception return yards with 389 and interceptions returned for touchdowns with five.[14] He also blocked four punts during his four-year career.[9] In addition, Reed was a member of the track and field team during his years at Miami and was a Big East champion in the javelin.[15]

Reed and Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne were roommates during their time at the University of Miami.[16] He graduated in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in liberal arts.[11] Reed was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame as part of its Class of 2012 at a banquet held in Miami on March 29, 2012.[17]

Professional career[]

Baltimore Ravens[]

After his college career, Reed was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round (24th overall pick) of the 2002 NFL Draft.[18]

2002–2005[]

File:Chris Henry (2310846707).jpg

Reed (20), Ray Lewis, and Chris McAlister playing for the Ravens against Chris Henry of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2006.

In his rookie season, Reed started in all 16 games and finished the campaign with 85 tackles, one sack and five interceptions. The following year he finished the season with 71 tackles and seven interceptions and was voted to his first Pro Bowl.[19]

In 2004, Reed was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press. In addition to his record return in 2004, Reed set an NFL mark for most interception return yardage in a season, accumulating 358 return yards on 9 interceptions; Reed held this record until 2009, when it was exceeded by Darren Sharper. He also returned an interception 106 yards for a touchdown, which was an NFL record until Reed himself broke it in 2008.[20][21] Also in 2004, Reed became the only player in Pro Bowl history to block a punt and return it for a touchdown. In 2005, Reed only played in ten games due to an ankle injury and finished the campaign with 37 tackles and one interception.[19][22]

2006–2009[]

In 2006, Reed recorded 60 tackles and 5 interceptions and was voted to his third Pro Bowl. In 2007, he made 39 tackles and 7 interceptions.[19] In the 2008 Pro Bowl he recorded two interceptions, tying the Pro Bowl record.

During a game against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 23, 2008, Reed returned an interception for what was originally reported as an 108-yard touchdown return (later officially adjusted to 107 yards by the Elias Sports Bureau).[23][21] This set an NFL record, breaking his own record of 106 yards set in 2004 against the Cleveland Browns.[23][24] The ball he intercepted and the jersey he wore during the play are now in the Hall of Fame.[23][25] In the Ravens' 2008 AFC Wild Card game against the Miami Dolphins, Reed intercepted Chad Pennington twice, returning one for a touchdown.[26]

He intercepted three passes in 2009, returning one for a 50-yard touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals, and added two more interceptions in the playoffs, but fumbled one away in a 20-3 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.[27]

Reed was the only player unanimously voted onto the AP 2008 NFL All-Pro team.[28] In 2009, Reed was selected to the Sporting News's Team of the Decade (2000's).[29]

2010–2012[]

File:Cary Williams, Ed Reed, Bernard Pollard.JPG

Reed (20), Cary Williams (29), and Bernard Pollard (31) at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in August, 2012.

In 2010, Reed led the NFL in interceptions with 8, despite only playing in 10 games due to hip surgery.[19][30]

In Week 1 of the 2011 NFL Season, Reed recorded 2 interceptions against Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, surpassing Ronnie Lott for most games with multiple interceptions.[31] He finished the regular season with three interceptions and a sack/fumble. Reed also intercepted T. J. Yates in the fourth quarter of the 2011 AFC Divisional Round[32] After deflecting another pass later to seal the win, Reed was injured slightly, but played the next week in an AFC Championship loss to the New England Patriots.[33]

File:Ed-Reed-Super-Bowl-XLVII.jpg

Ed Reed after winning Super Bowl XLVII

Reed skipped out on a mandatory minicamp,[34] but showed up for training camp.[35] In Week 1 of the 2012 season, Reed returned an Andy Dalton interception 34 yards for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals, making Reed the NFL's all-time leader in interception return yards.[36] On November 19, Reed was given a 1 game suspension by the league "for repeated violations of the rule prohibiting hits to the head and neck area of defenseless players" following an unnecessary roughness call for a hit on Emmanuel Sanders. Reed was considered a repeat offender based on his prior hits to Deion Branch earlier in the season and to Drew Brees in 2010. This suspension was later overturned, and Reed was fined $50,000 for the hit.[37]

Reed said on January 24, 2013 that despite repeated reports he might retire, he intends to play next year.[38] Reed finally earned his first Super Bowl ring when the Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 in Super Bowl XLVII.[39] In that game, Reed intercepted Colin Kaepernick for his ninth career postseason interception, which tied the NFL record.[40] This interception was the 49ers' first interception, and the final score resulted in the 49ers' first Super Bowl loss in their franchise's history.

Reed became a free agent after his contract expired at the end of the 2012 season.[41] While he had considered retiring after the 2012 season, Reed stated after the Super Bowl that he intends to continue playing football in 2013.[41][8]

Reed has scored a total of 13 touchdowns in his career with the Baltimore Ravens — 3 blocked punts, 1 punt return, 2 fumble returns and 7 interception returns.[19]

File:Ed Reed Baltimore Ravens post-Super Bowl celebration.jpg

Reed and his son at M&T Bank Stadium following the Ravens Super Bowl victory.

Houston Texans[]

On March 22, 2013, Reed signed a three-year contract worth $15 million with $5 million guaranteed with the Houston Texans.[42] Later in the 2013 offseason, Reed underwent arthroscopic surgery in his hip to repair a small labral tear.[43] Reed made his Texans debut on September 22, 2013 against the Ravens in Baltimore.[44] As the season progressed, Reed saw his playing time reduced. He eventually lost his starting job to Shiloh Keo during Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts.[45]

On November 12, 2013, Reed was released by the Texans after displaying limited production with just 16 tackles, no interceptions, no forced fumbles, and no passes defended through 7 games.

New York Jets[]

Reed was signed by the New York Jets on November 14, 2013 after clearing waivers.[46] The move reunited Reed with Rex Ryan, whom he played for when Ryan was the defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens.[46] Reed played his first game as a Jet on November 17, 2013 against the Buffalo Bills.

On December 8th, 2013 in week 14 he recorded his first interception of the 2013-14 season against Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt McGloin.[47] In weeks 16 and 17, against the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins respectively, Reed had an interception late in each game's fourth quarter, to preserve the Jets' win. The interceptions helped the Jets close the season with two straight wins to finish 8-8, which played a major part in Rex Ryan keeping his job as head coach.[48] For the rest of the 2013 season with the Jets, Reed played in 7 games (started 5) with 22 tackles, 4 passes defended, and 3 interceptions. Overall in 2013 combined with both teams he played for, Reed played 14 games (started 10) with 42 total tackles, 4 passes defended, and 3 interceptions.

NFL career statistics[]

Note: Statistics are correct through Week 17 of the 2013 NFL season.

Regular season statistics Tackles Interceptions Punt returns Fumbles
Season Team GP GS Comb Total Ast Sck Sfty PDef Int Yds Avg Lng TDs Ret RetY Avg Lng TDs FUM Lost FF
2002 Baltimore Ravens 16 16 85 71 14 1.0 0 7 5 167 33.4 59 0 -- -- -- -- -- 1 1 0
2003 Baltimore Ravens 16 15 71 59 12 1.0 0 9 7 132 18.9 54T 1 5 33 6.6 19 0 1 1 1
2004 Baltimore Ravens 16 16 76 62 14 2.0 0 8 9 358 39.8 106T 1 -- -- -- -- -- 1 0 3
2005 Baltimore Ravens 10 10 37 33 4 0.0 -- 8 1 23 23.0 23 0 -- -- -- -- -- 0 0 0
2006 Baltimore Ravens 16 16 59 51 8 0.0 1 4 5 70 14.0 37 1 -- -- -- -- -- 0 0 1
2007 Baltimore Ravens 16 16 39 29 10 0.0 0 13 7 130 18.6 32 0 10 94 9.4 63T 1 2 2 0
2008 Baltimore Ravens 16 16 41 34 7 1.0 0 16 9 264 29.3 107T 2 1 8 8.0 8 0 1 0 1
2009 Baltimore Ravens 12 12 50 42 8 0.0 0 5 3 111 37.0 52T 1 7 29 4.1 9 0 1 1 3
2010 Baltimore Ravens 10 10 37 30 7 0.0 -- 16 8 183 22.9 44 0 3 11 3.7 9 0 2 0 1
2011 Baltimore Ravens 16 16 52 44 8 1.0 -- 8 3 25 8.3 16 0 3 29 9.7 16 0 0 0 1
2012 Baltimore Ravens 16 16 58 49 9 0.0 0 15 4 78 19.5 34T 1 1 1 1.0 1 0 0 0 0
2013 HOU / NYJ 14 10 38 27 11 0.0 -- 4 3 49 16.3 25 0 -- -- -- -- -- 0 0 0
Totals 174 169 643 531 112 6.0 1 113 64 1,590 -- 107 7 30 205 6.8 63 1 11 5 11

NFL records[]

  • Tied-most playoff career interceptions (9)
  • Longest Interception Return for Touchdown (108 yards)
  • Most interception return yards, career (1,590)
  • Tied-most career blocked punts returned for touchdowns (3)
  • First person in NFL history to return an interception, punt, blocked punt, and fumble for a touchdown [49]

Ravens franchise records[]

  • Most career interceptions (61)[50]
  • Most career interception return yards (1,547)[51]
  • Most career interception return touchdowns (8)[52]
  • Most passes defended (138)[52]
  • Most interception-return yards in a single game (150)[23]

References[]

  1. Wilson, Aaron (2006-07-31). "Top free safety in the game". Scout.com. http://ravens.scout.com/2/551522.html. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  2. Sando, Mike (2007-10-07). "Five to fear: Manning, Brady, Moss, Smith, Gates". Sports.espn.go.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=sando_mike&id=3056627. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  3. Chadiha, Jeffri (2005-08-30). "Top 10 players at the NFL's hottest defensive position". Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/jeffri_chadiha/08/30/chadiha.safeties/index.html. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  4. Borges, Ron. "Belichick: Reed's a keeper". Boston Herald website. http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/football/patriots/view.bg?articleid=1047753. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  5. Powell, Camille (2006-08-01). "Reed Is Determined To Outsmart Rivals". Washington Post website. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/01/AR2006080101243.html?nav=emailpage. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  6. Hensley, Jamison (2005-07-06). "Spotlight on defensive backs". USA Today website. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2005-07-06-sw-spotlight-db_x.htm. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  7. Prisco, Pete (2005-09-04). "Secondary deceivers: Reed, Bailey best at sucking in QBs". Sportsline.com. http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/8805736. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Valkenburg, Kevin Van. Ed Reed, hiding in plain sight. ESPN. 29 January 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 Player Bio: Edward Reed. hurricanesports.com. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  10. Walker, Childs. In Saint Rose, La., he's still small-town Edward Reed. Baltimore Sun. 1 February 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  11. 11.0 11.1 "Baltimore Ravens » Players » Ed Reed". Baltimore Ravens Official website. Archived from the original on March 5, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080305205549/http://www.baltimoreravens.com/People/Players/Active/Ed_Reed.aspx. Retrieved 2008-11-30.
  12. 2011 NCAA Football Records Book, Award Winners, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Indianapolis, Indiana, p. 11 (2011). Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  13. Platania, Joe (2007-09-27). "Ed Reed: The Ravens' Bird of Prey". Pressboxonline.com. http://www.pressboxonline.com/story.cfm?id=2592. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  14. Kim, Steve (2006-08-22). "Miami All-2000s Team: Defense". Miami.scout.com. http://miami.scout.com/2/559892.html. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  15. "South Florida Sports Paradise: Happy Birthday Ed Reed". Miamisouthpaw.blogspot.com. 2007-09-11. http://miamisouthpaw.blogspot.com/2007/09/happy-birthday-ed-reed.html. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  16. http://archive.profootballweekly.com/content/archives2001/draft_2001/combine_qanda_reed.asp
  17. "UM Sports Hall of Fame Announces its Class of 2012 Inductees - HurricaneSports.com - The University of Miami Official Athletic Site". Hurricanesports.cstv.com. http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/genrel/092211aac.html. Retrieved 2012-01-22.
  18. NFL Draft History. NFL.com. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 Ed Reed NFL Football Statistics. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  20. Reed's 106-yard interception return TD seals victory. ESPN. 7 November 2004. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  21. 21.0 21.1 "Reed loses a yard, but interception return for TD still a record", AP at ESPN.com, November 26, 2008.
  22. Clayton, John. Position's physical demands taking toll on players. ESPN. 28 October 2005. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 "Ed Reed: A rare safety, and Baltimore' gamebreaker". International Herald Tribune website. Associated Press. November 26, 2008. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/11/26/sports/FBN-Ravens-Reed.php. Retrieved 2008-11-30.
  24. "Reed rumbles 108 yards for NFL record". Pro Football Hall of Fame website. November 24, 2008. http://www.profootballhof.com/history/story.jsp?story_id=2959. Retrieved November 30, 2008.
  25. "Jersey and football from Ed Reed's record interception return". Pro Football Hall of Fame website. November 26, 2008. http://www.profootballhof.com/hall/story.jsp?story_id=2968. Retrieved November 30, 2008.
  26. Pennington throws four interceptions in loss. ESPN. 4 January 2009. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  27. Game 18: Ravens have painful reunion with Colts Jamison Hensley, Baltimore Sun Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  28. "Ravens safety Reed is only unanimous selection to All-Pro team". NFL.com. 2009-01-09. http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80dfd4f6&template=with-video&confirm=true. Retrieved 2010-12-24.
  29. Sporting News names its athletes, teams of the decade; LeBron James makes the cut. Cleveland.com. 25 September 2009. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  30. La Canfora, Jason. Ravens will place six-time Pro Bowl safety Reed on PUP list. NFL.com. 3 September 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  31. Cole, Jason. "Reed is the greatest NFL thief of all time". http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-cole_direct_snap_reed_best_ballhawk_091311. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  32. Ravens' Ed Reed hobbled but eager for AFC title game The Sporting News Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  33. Hensley, Jamison. No serious damage to Ed Reed's ankle. ESPN. 17 January 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  34. Ed Reed skips first day of camp Jamison Hensley, ESPN Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  35. Ed Reed reports to Ravens training camp Jeff Zrebiec, Baltimore Sun Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  36. Ed Reed takes interception to the house, record books Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  37. Ed Reed suspended for repeat violations of player safety NFL.com. Retrieved 19 November 2012
  38. Jeff Zrebiec, Ravens safety Ed Reed not planning to retire after season. The Baltimore Sun, January 24, 2013.
  39. Adelson, Eric. Emotional Ed Reed basks in Super Bowl glory by remembering his late brother. Yahoo! Sports. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  40. Schwab, Frank. Ed Reed picks off Colin Kaepernick for first INT thrown by a 49ers QB in six Super Bowls. Yahoo! Sports. 3 February 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  41. 41.0 41.1 Wilson, Aaron. John Harbaugh says Ravens want to bring back Ed Reed. Baltimore Sun. 5 February 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  42. Hanzus, Dan. Ed Reed plans to sign contract with Houston Texans. NFL.com. 20 March 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  43. Wesseling, Chris. Ed Reed reportedly had arthroscopic hip surgery. NFL.com. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  44. Vensel, Matt. Ed Reed makes his Houston Texans debut in return to Baltimore. Baltimore Sun. 22 September 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  45. Rosenthal, Gregg.Ed Reed demoted from Houston Texans' lineup. NFL.com. 7 November 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
  46. 46.0 46.1 Woo, Stu (14 November 2013). "Jets Add Wisdom to Secondary". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 15 November 2013. http://www.webcitation.org/6L9nJfGx8. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  47. "Jets safety Ed Reed gets first interception, victory of season against Raiders". nj.com. http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2013/12/jets_safety_ed_reed_gets_first_interception_victory_of_season_against_raiders.html. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
  48. http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24410910/report-rex-ryan-jets-agree-to-multi-year-contract-extension
  49. "Ravens' Reed expected to play, not retire, after hip surgery". nfl.com. May 5, 2010. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d817f9188/article/report-ravens-reed-expected-to-play-not-retire-after-hip-surgery. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
  50. Ed Reed ESPN Profile
  51. Ed Reed Stats, News, Videos, Highlights, Pictures, Bio - New York Jets - ESPN
  52. 52.0 52.1 Baltimore Ravens Career Defense Register - Pro-Football-Reference.com

External links[]

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