Andre Reed

The Buffalo Bills selected wide receiver Andre Reed in the fourth round of the 1985 NFL Draft (86th overall). The quick, durable playmaker from Kutztown University quickly rose up the depth chart and began one of the most dominant careers in pro football history.

In time, Reed would supplant Pro Bowl teammate Jerry Butler and 1985 second-round draft selection Chris Burkett as the Bills’ primary receiving threat, leading the team in both receptions (53) and touchdowns (seven) during his second season.

As the Bills ascended from a 2-14 team in Reed’s rookie year to contenders, the player nicknamed “YAC” for his proficiency in gaining yards after the catch would go on to start in five AFC Championship Games and four consecutive Super Bowls.

During the Bills’ 41-38 win over the Houston Oilers in the 1992 AFC Wild Card Game, Reed hauled in eight passes for 136 yards and three touchdowns to complete an NFL postseason-record 32-point comeback win. In Super Bowl XXVII versus the Dallas Cowboys, Reed caught eight passes for 152 yards — eclipsing Roger Craig (20) to become the Super Bowl’s all-time leader in career receptions, a record Jerry Rice later broke.

Reed and Hall of Fame teammate quarterback Jim Kelly formed a nearly unstoppable connection that resulted in 663 career completions — the most in NFL history at the time. Reed made many of those receptions over the middle, where hard-hitting linebackers and safeties lurked.

"He was really good at running the short route and turning it into a long gain," said teammate Steve Tasker. "Jim (Kelly) loved it because it was an easy throw for a lot of yards. We all loved it because he could turn a nothing 5-yard completion into a 65-yard touchdown. That's what Andre's gift was."

In his final game as a Buffalo Bill, Reed caught five passes to eclipse Art Monk (940) and move into second place in NFL history in career receptions. He remains the Bills’ all-time leader in receptions (941), receiving yards (13,095), touchdown receptions (86) and games played (221).

After playing his final season with the Washington Redskins in 2000, Reed retired with 1,036 receptions for 14,427 yards and 96 touchdowns (regular season and postseason combined).

During his 16-year NFL career, Reed was a named a two-time second-team All-Pro selection by the Associated Press (1989, 1990) and went to seven consecutive Pro Bowls (1988-1994). He ended his career as the AFC’s all-time leader in receptions (941) and receiving yards (13,095).