Andre Reed
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Andre Reed | |
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| Position(s): Wide receiver |
Jersey #(s): 83, 84 |
| Born: January 29, 1964 Allentown, Pennsylvania |
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| Career Information | |
| Year(s): 1985–2000 | |
| NFL Draft: 1985 / Round: 4 / Pick: 86 | |
| College: Kutztown | |
| Professional Teams | |
| Career Stats | |
| Receptions | 951 |
| Receiving Yards | 13,198 |
| Touchdowns | 87 |
| Stats at NFL.com | |
| Career Highlights and Awards | |
Andre Darnell Reed (born January 29, 1964 in Allentown, Pennsylvania) is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver in the National Football League for 16 seasons, 15 with the Buffalo Bills (1985-1999) and one with the Washington Redskins (2000). He is widely considered one of the best wide receivers to ever play the game.
During his NFL career, Reed was known as a highly durable, fearless over-the-middle receiver who was never afraid to take punishing blows in exchange for receptions. He often shook off tackles for significant after-catch running yards.
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[edit] High school and college career
Reed was born in Allentown and began his football career at Allentown's Dieruff High School, where he played quarterback and competed in the East Penn Conference (now known as the Lehigh Valley Conference), which is known for producing top collegiate and NFL football talent. In his senior year (1981-1982), Reed helped lead Dieruff to an EPC tri-championship, tying for the championship with Emmaus High School and Whitehall High School.
Reed then attended Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, where he moved to the wide receiver position and quickly drew the attention of the NFL for his speed and durability at the receiver position. In the 1985 NFL Draft, Reed was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round with the 86th overall selection.
[edit] NFL records
Reed ranks near the top in nearly all NFL career statistical receiving categories. He is fifth in NFL history in total career receptions with 951 (behind only Jerry Rice, Cris Carter, Tim Brown, and Marvin Harrison), eighth in NFL history in total career receiving yards with 13,198. Reed is also tenth in NFL history in total career touchdown receptions with 87.
He also rushed for 500 yards and a touchdown on 75 carries. With the Bills, Reed played in four consecutive Super Bowls (1991-1994) and was selected to the Pro Bowl in seven consecutive seasons (1988-1994).
Reed set season career highs with 90 receptions in 1994, 10 touchdowns in 1991, and 1,312 receiving yards in 1989.
A tribute to his incredible physical durability, Reed played in 234 NFL games between 1985 and 2000, the 59th most games played by any player in NFL history, including players in less physically demanding positions, such as kickers and punters.
[edit] Super Bowl records
In his four Super Bowls, Reed recorded 27 receptions, the second most total career Super Bowl receptions in NFL history (behind Rice's 33). His 323 total Super Bowl receiving yards are the third most in Super Bowl history (behind only Rice's 604 yards and Lynn Swann's 364).
[edit] "The Comeback"
In addition to the important role he played in taking the Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls, Reed is remembered particularly for his contributions to the Bills' extraordinary January 3, 1993 playoff victory over the Houston Oilers, a game that has come to be known simply as "The Comeback." In the game, which Houston led decisively 35-3 during the third quarter, Reed caught three touchdowns in the second half to lead the Bills to the largest comeback in NFL history. Contributing substantially to "The Comeback," Reed finished the game with eight receptions for 136 yards and three touchdowns. The game has been enshrined in NFL history as one of the greatest games ever played. It also is recognized as one the largest comebacks by any team in the history of all of American professional sports.
Following the Bills' victory against the Oilers, Reed went on to catch eight passes for 152 yards in the Bills' 52-17 Super Bowl XXVII loss, on January 31, 1993, to the Dallas Cowboys.
[edit] NFL Hall of Fame candidacy
Reed became eligible for induction into the NFL's Pro Football Hall of Fame, the highest honor afforded a former NFL player, in 2006, but was not selected for induction in either of his first three years of eligibility (2006, 2007, and 2008), due in part to the logjam of accomplished wide receiver candidates (such as Art Monk, Michael Irvin, and Cris Carter). In February 2007, Reed was passed over for selection in favor of former Dallas Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin, despite the fact that Reed's overall receiving statistics surpass Irvin's in nearly ever category, though Irvin's career ended prematurely with a spinal injury. Many analysts believe Reed's extraordinary receiving statistics, along with the role he played in taking the Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls, will ultimately win him Hall of Fame selection. Most of Reed's NFL receptions were thrown by former Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, who was inducted into the Hall in 2002.
In 2006, Reed was voted into the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame, joining less than a dozen players in Bills history to have his name enshrined in the field-encircling cement of Buffalo's Ralph Wilson Stadium.
[edit] Television career
Since his NFL retirement in 2000, Reed has provided football commentary on the ESPN2 show, First Take, and appears periodically as a football analyst on The NFL on FOX. He has also appeared on the Spike channel's sports series Pros vs. Joes in the show's second season.
