Ed Reed
Footballistheultimateteamsport…colordidn'tmattertodothethingswe'vedone.Notoneplayeronthefootballfieldcandoitwithouttheothertenguys.ThereisnoGOAT.Thereisnogreatestofallplayers…It'simpossibletosaythat.Statsdon'tmatter.
The Baltimore Ravens selected Ed Reed out of the University of Miami (Fla.) in the first round, 24th overall, of the 2002 NFL Draft. Over the next 12 seasons, Reed exuded excellence on the field and quickly became one of the most accomplished safeties in the league.
Reed started all 16 games during his rookie season and became a vital member of the Ravens’ dominant defense. In his first professional season, he logged 85 tackles (71 solo), five interceptions, 12 passes defensed, one sack and one fumble recovery. He led Baltimore in interceptions as a rookie and seven of his eleven seasons with the club.
From 2006-2012, Reed helped lead the Ravens defensive that was vital to four AFC North Division titles, three AFC Championship Game appearances and one Super Bowl championship.
While the Ravens fell short in both 2008 and 2011, in 2012 they blazed through the playoffs and defeated the New England Patriots 28-13 in the AFC Championship Game. Baltimore then faced the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII, where Reed contributed five tackles, one interception and one pass defensed during a 34-31 victory.
After 11 seasons with the Ravens, Reed was signed by the Houston Texans as a free agent before the 2013 season. He played in seven games with the Texans before finishing that season with the New York Jets. Reed still holds several Ravens team records, including most career interceptions (61), most interceptions in a season (nine). He also tops the NFL’s record book for most career interception return yardage (1,590) and the two longest interception returns (107 and 106 yards).
Reed not only posted remarkable stats on the field, he also received the Ravens Ed Block Courage Award in 2008.
In all, Reed played 174 career games and amassed a total of 646 tackles (534 solo), 64 interceptions which he returned for 1,590 yards and seven touchdowns, six sacks and 13 fumble recoveries.
A nine-time Pro Bowler, Reed was named All-Pro six times and the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2004. Reed was also named to the NFL All-Decade Team of the 2000s.