Ed Reed

Edward Earl Reed, Jr.^[1] (born September 11, 1978 in St. Rose, Louisiana) is an American football safety for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Ravens 24th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami. In his career, Reed has been selected to four Pro Bowls (2003, 2004, 2006, 2007) and was the 2004 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He is considered one of the most dominant safeties currently playing in the NFL and is often referred to as a 'playmaker'.[1][2][3][4] Since entering the league, Reed has been known to study film to memorize opposing teams's tendencies.[5][6] Reed's habit of baiting quarterbacks into throwing interceptions has also earned him recognition throughout the league.[7]

High school career

Ed Reed attended Destrehan High School in Destrehan, Louisiana. He was an All-State, and All-Parish selection at defensive back and as a kick returner and also New Orleans Times-Picayune District Most Valuable Defensive Player. He totaled 83 tackles, seven interceptions, three forced fumbles and 12 passes defended his senior year whiles also seeing action at running back and quarterback. He also returned three punts for touchdowns. Reed also lettered in basketball, baseball, and track & field. He was an All-District pitcher in baseball, and State Champion in the javelin.

College career

Ed Reed attended the University of Miami where he was a standout defensive player. Reed was the leader of the University of Miami team that won the 2001 National Championship.[8] At the University of Miami, Reed was a two time consensus All-American safety in 2000 and 2001. In 2001, he led the nation with 9 picks for 209 yards (a school record) and 3 touchdowns. Reed 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. Reed earned the league's Co-Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2001 and was named National Defensive Player of the Year by Football News. He was one of three finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award and was one of 12 semifinalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. 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 5[9].[10] He also blocked four punts during his four year career. Reed also participated on the track and field team during his years at Miami and was a Big East Champion in the javelin [11].

Professional career

After college, Reed was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round (24th overall pick) of the 2002 NFL Draft. Reed has enjoyed a very successful professional career so far and has become one of the Ravens' most popular players. In 2004, Reed was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press a season where he set NFL Records for longest interception return (106 yards) and most interception return yardage (358) on 9 interceptions. Reed currently holds the Ravens franchise record for career interceptions with 34. Reed has also continued his strong special teams[12] play with 4 blocked punts so far, returning 3 for touchdowns. In 2004, Reed became the only player in Pro Bowl history to block a punt and return it for a touchdown. In the 2007 Pro Bowl he recorded two interceptions, tying the record with six others. In 2 postseason games, Reed has recorded 1 tackle, 3 interceptions and 5 pass deflections.

NFL Records

• Most interception return yards in a single season (358)
• Longest interception return for a touchdown (106)

Trivia

Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.

• Reed was nicknamed "Junkyard Dog" by Larry Coker while at Miami.[13]
• Since he joined the Ravens, Reed has developed a relationship with the Booker T. Washington Middle School that includes mentoring and scholarship incentives.
• Reed is the second-oldest of five brothers.
• At the 2007 NFL Pro Bowl Skills Competition, Reed won the State Farm Open Field Competition.
• While at Miami, Reed and teammates Willis McGahee and Jason Geathers collaborated with Miami rap duo No Good to create a remix of their hit "Ballin' Boys".[14]

References

External links

• Ed Reed at ESPN.com.
• Ed Reed NFL statistics at Databasefootball.com