Ed Reed
Encyclopedia
Edward Earl Reed Jr. is an American football
free safety for the Baltimore Ravens
of the National Football League
. He was 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 seven Pro Bowl
s, was the 2004 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year
, and has the NFL record for the two longest interception returns (106 yards in 2004 and 108 yards in 2008 ). He is considered one of the most dominant safeties currently playing in the NFL and is often referred to as a "ball hawk." Since entering the league, Reed has been known to study film to memorize opposing teams' tendencies and his habit of baiting quarterbacks into throwing interceptions has also earned him recognition throughout the league.
in Destrehan, Louisiana
. He was an All-State selection at defensive back
and as a kick returner
and also New Orleans Times-Picayune
District Most Valuable Defensive Player.
He totalled 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. Reed also lettered
in basketball
, baseball
, and track & field
. He was an All-District pitcher
in baseball, and state champion in the javelin throw
. He was recognized as one of the best safeties in high school and quickly received a scholarship to the University of Miami.
where he was a standout defensive
player. Reed played for the University of Miami team that won the 2001 National Championship
.
At the University of Miami, Reed was a three-time consensus All-American selection in 2000 and 2001. In 2001, he led the nation with 9 interceptions 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. He also blocked four punts during his four year career. 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.
He graduated in 2001 with a degree in liberal arts.
Reed and Indianapolis Colts
wide receiver
Reggie Wayne
were roommates throughout college at the University of Miami.
Reed will be inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame as part of its Class of 2012 at a banquet to be held in Miami on March 29, 2012.
.
In his rookie season, Reed started in all 16 games and finished the campaign with 85 tackles and five interceptions. The following year he finished the season with 71 tackles and seven interceptions and was voted to his first Pro Bowl
.
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
. 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. In 2006, Reed recorded 60 tackles and five interceptions and was voted to his third Pro Bowl
. In 2007, he made 39 tackles and seven interceptions. In the 2007 Pro Bowl
he recorded two interceptions, tying the Pro Bowl record.
Reed has continued his strong special teams play so far during his NFL career with 4 blocked punts, returning 3 for touchdowns, which tied an NFL record. He is also the first person in NFL history to return an interception, punt, blocked punt, and fumble for a touchdown.
Reed currently holds the Ravens franchise record for career interceptions with 56. He also holds the franchise record for interception-return yards in a single game with 150. 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
). This set an NFL record, breaking his own record of 106 yards. The ball he intercepted and the jersey he wore during the play are now in the Hall of Fame. In the Ravens' 2009 AFC wild card game against the Miami Dolphins, Reed intercepted Chad Pennington
twice, returning one for a touchdown. To date, he has 7 interceptions in 9 career post-season games.
In 2010 Reed led the NFL in interceptions with 8, despite only playing in 10 games due to hip surgery.
Reed was the only player unanimously voted onto the AP
2008 NFL All-Pro team. In 2009, Reed was selected to the Sporting News's Team of the Decade (2000's).
Reed has scored a total of 13 touchdowns in his career—3 blocked punts, 1 punt return, 2 fumble returns and 7 interception returns.
In week 1 of the 2011 NFL Season
, Reed recorded two interceptions against Pittsburgh Steelers
quarterback Ben Roethlisberger
, passing Ronnie Lott
for most games with multiple interceptions.. His best season was the season of 2009 when he had 11 interceptions with 7 forced fumbles. 8 of his interceptions were returned for touchdowns as 4 of his fumbles were also returned.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
free safety for the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted by the Ravens 24th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft
2002 NFL Draft
The 2002 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft took place April 20–21, 2002 at the theater at...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at the University of Miami
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
.
In his career, Reed has been selected to seven Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
s, was the 2004 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year
NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award
The NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award is given by the Associated Press to the league's most outstanding defensive player at the end of every NFL season since 1971. Multiple-award winners include Lawrence Taylor, who won it three times, and Joe Greene, Mike Singletary, Bruce Smith, Reggie...
, and has the NFL record for the two longest interception returns (106 yards in 2004 and 108 yards in 2008 ). He is considered one of the most dominant safeties currently playing in the NFL and is often referred to as a "ball hawk." Since entering the league, Reed has been known to study film to memorize opposing teams' tendencies and his habit of baiting quarterbacks into throwing interceptions has also earned him recognition throughout the league.
High school career
Reed attended the Destrehan High SchoolSt. Charles Parish Public School System
The St. Charles Parish Public School System is a public school district headquartered in Luling, Louisiana, United States. It serves all of St. Charles Parish.-Schools:Note: There are no incorporated places in St. Charles Parish...
in Destrehan, Louisiana
Destrehan, Louisiana
Destrehan is a census-designated place in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 11,260 at the 2000 census. It was named after Jean N...
. He was an All-State selection at defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
and as a kick returner
Kick returner
In American and Canadian football, a kick returner is the player on special teams who is primarily responsible to catch kickoffs and attempts to return them in the opposite direction. If the ball is kicked into his own endzone, he must assess the situation on the field while the ball is in the...
and also New Orleans Times-Picayune
New Orleans Times-Picayune
The Times-Picayune is a daily newspaper published in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.-History:Established as The Picayune in 1837 by Francis Lumsden and George Wilkins Kendall, the paper's initial price was one picayune—a Spanish coin equivalent to 6¼¢ .Under Eliza Jane Nicholson, who inherited the...
District Most Valuable Defensive Player.
He totalled 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. Reed also lettered
Varsity letter
A varsity letter is an award earned in the United States for excellence in school activities. A varsity letter signifies that its winner was a qualified varsity team member, awarded after a certain standard was met.- Description :...
in basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, and track & field
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
. He was an All-District pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in baseball, and state champion in the javelin throw
Javelin throw
The javelin throw is a track and field athletics throwing event where the object to be thrown is the javelin, a spear approximately 2.5 metres in length. Javelin is an event of both the men's decathlon and the women's heptathlon...
. He was recognized as one of the best safeties in high school and quickly received a scholarship to the University of Miami.
College career
Reed attended the University of MiamiUniversity of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
where he was a standout defensive
Defense (sport)
In many team sports, defense or defence is the action of preventing an opponent from scoring. The term may also refer to the tactics involved in defense, or a sub-team whose primary responsibility is defense...
player. Reed played for the University of Miami team that won the 2001 National Championship
2001 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with the University of Miami winning the national title for the fifth time.The Hurricanes were led by Larry Coker, who was in his first year as head coach after five years as Miami's offensive coordinator under Butch Davis...
.
At the University of Miami, Reed was a three-time consensus All-American selection in 2000 and 2001. In 2001, he led the nation with 9 interceptions for 209 yards (a school record) and 3 touchdowns. Reed helped seal a memorable win over Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
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
Jim Thorpe Award
The Jim Thorpe Award, named in memory of multi-sport legend Jim Thorpe, has been awarded to the top defensive back in college football since 1986...
and was one of 12 semifinalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Bronko Nagurski Trophy
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been awarded annually since 1993 to the collegiate American football player adjudged by the membership of the Football Writers Association of America to be the best defensively in the National Collegiate Athletic Association; the award is presented by the Charlotte...
.
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. He also blocked four punts during his four year career. 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.
He graduated in 2001 with a degree in liberal arts.
Reed and Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
Reggie Wayne
Reggie Wayne
Reginald "Reggie" Wayne is a professional American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. Wayne was selected in the 1st round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Colts...
were roommates throughout college at the University of Miami.
Reed will be inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame as part of its Class of 2012 at a banquet to be held in Miami on March 29, 2012.
Baltimore Ravens
After college, Reed was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round (24th overall pick) of the 2002 NFL Draft2002 NFL Draft
The 2002 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft took place April 20–21, 2002 at the theater at...
.
In his rookie season, Reed started in all 16 games and finished the campaign with 85 tackles and five interceptions. The following year he finished the season with 71 tackles and seven interceptions and was voted to his first Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
.
In 2004, Reed was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year
NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award
The NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award is given by the Associated Press to the league's most outstanding defensive player at the end of every NFL season since 1971. Multiple-award winners include Lawrence Taylor, who won it three times, and Joe Greene, Mike Singletary, Bruce Smith, Reggie...
by the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
. 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
Darren Sharper
Darren Mallory Sharper is an American football safety who currently is a free agent. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played college football at William & Mary....
. Also in 2004, Reed became the only player in Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
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. In 2006, Reed recorded 60 tackles and five interceptions and was voted to his third Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
. In 2007, he made 39 tackles and seven interceptions. In the 2007 Pro Bowl
2007 Pro Bowl
The 2007 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl took place on February 10, 2007, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The game was held on a Saturday instead of the usual Sunday after the Super Bowl because of a request by broadcaster CBS....
he recorded two interceptions, tying the Pro Bowl record.
Reed has continued his strong special teams play so far during his NFL career with 4 blocked punts, returning 3 for touchdowns, which tied an NFL record. He is also the first person in NFL history to return an interception, punt, blocked punt, and fumble for a touchdown.
Reed currently holds the Ravens franchise record for career interceptions with 56. He also holds the franchise record for interception-return yards in a single game with 150. During a game against the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
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
Elias Sports Bureau
The Elias Sports Bureau is an American company that provides historical research and statistical services in the field of professional sports.In 1913, Al Munro Elias and his brother Walter established the Al Munro Elias Bureau in New York City...
). This set an NFL record, breaking his own record of 106 yards. The ball he intercepted and the jersey he wore during the play are now in the Hall of Fame. In the Ravens' 2009 AFC wild card game against the Miami Dolphins, Reed intercepted Chad Pennington
Chad Pennington
James Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
twice, returning one for a touchdown. To date, he has 7 interceptions in 9 career post-season games.
In 2010 Reed led the NFL in interceptions with 8, despite only playing in 10 games due to hip surgery.
Reed was the only player unanimously voted onto the AP
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
2008 NFL All-Pro team. In 2009, Reed was selected to the Sporting News's Team of the Decade (2000's).
Reed has scored a total of 13 touchdowns in his career—3 blocked punts, 1 punt return, 2 fumble returns and 7 interception returns.
In week 1 of the 2011 NFL Season
2011 NFL season
The 2011 NFL season, the 92nd regular season of the National Football League, began on Thursday, September 8, 2011 with the Super Bowl XLV champion Green Bay Packers defeating the New Orleans Saints 42–34 at Lambeau Field and will end with Super Bowl XLVI, the league's championship game, on...
, Reed recorded two interceptions against Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
quarterback Ben Roethlisberger
Ben Roethlisberger
Benjamin Todd "Ben" Roethlisberger , nicknamed Big Ben, is an American football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers in the first round in the 2004 NFL Draft...
, passing Ronnie Lott
Ronnie Lott
Ronald Mandel "Ronnie" Lott is a former American football player who starred as a cornerback, free safety, and strong safety in college football and the NFL. He is most well known for his crushing hits on opposing players...
for most games with multiple interceptions.. His best season was the season of 2009 when he had 11 interceptions with 7 forced fumbles. 8 of his interceptions were returned for touchdowns as 4 of his fumbles were also returned.