Ed Reed facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ed Reed

Reed in 2023
No. 20, 22
Position:	Safety
Personal information
Born:	(1978-09-11) September 11, 1978 (age 46) St. Rose, Louisiana, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:	205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school:	Destrehan (Destrehan, Louisiana)
College:	Miami (FL) (1997–2001)
NFL Draft:	2002 / Round: 1 / Pick: 24
Career history
As player:
Baltimore Ravens (2002) Houston Texans (2013) New York Jets (2013)
As coach:
Buffalo Bills (2016) Assistant defensive backs coach
As administrator:
Miami (FL) (2020–2021) Chief of staff Miami (FL) (2022) Senior football advisor
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XLVII) NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2004) NFL Alumni Defensive Back of the Year (2008) 5× First-team All-Pro (2004, 2006–2008, 2010) 3× Second-team All-Pro (2003, 2009, 2011) 9× Pro Bowl (2003, 2004, 2006–2012) 3× NFL interceptions leader (2004, 2008, 2010) NFL 2000s All-Decade Team NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team PFWA All-Rookie Team (2002) Baltimore Ravens Ring of Honor BCS national champion (2001) Co-Big East Defensive Player of the Year (2001) Unanimous All-American (2001) Consensus All-American (2000) NFL records Most career interception return yards: 1,590 Longest interception return: 107 yards Most career postseason interceptions: 9 (tied) Most seasons leading league in interceptions: 3 (2004, 2008, 2010; tied with Everson Walls)
Career NFL statistics
Interceptions: 64 Interception yards: 1,590 Pass deflections: 139 Total tackles: 646 Forced fumbles: 11 Fumble recoveries: 13 Sacks: 6 Defensive touchdowns: 13
Player stats at PFR
Pro Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame

Edward Earl Reed Jr. (born September 11, 1978) is a former American football player. He was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played most of his career with the Baltimore Ravens.

Reed played college football for the Miami Hurricanes. He was part of Miami's 2001 national championship team. He was also named a unanimous All-American. The Ravens picked him in the first round of the 2002 NFL draft. He played 11 seasons with them. Later, he played for the Houston Texans and New York Jets in 2013.

During his career, Reed was chosen for nine Pro Bowls. He won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2004. He also won Super Bowl XLVII. Reed holds NFL records for the two longest interception returns. These were 106 yards in 2004 and 107 yards in 2008. He also has the NFL record for most interception return yards, with 1,590. He is tied for the most postseason interceptions with 9.

When he retired, his 64 regular season interceptions ranked him 6th all-time in the NFL. Many people think Reed is one of the best safeties ever. He was known for studying game films. This helped him learn how opposing teams played. He was also good at tricking quarterbacks into throwing interceptions. Reed was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019.

After playing, Reed worked as an assistant coach. In 2016, he was an assistant defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills. In 2020, his old college, the University of Miami, hired him. He worked as the football team's chief of staff. This was an advisory role to the head coach.

Early Life and High School Sports

Reed was born in St. Rose, St. Charles Parish, Louisiana. This was on September 11, 1978. He went to Destrehan High School in Destrehan, Louisiana.

In high school football, he was an all-state player. He played defensive back and kick returner. He was also named the District Most Valuable Defensive Player. In his senior year, Reed had 83 tackles and seven interceptions. He also forced three fumbles. He returned three punts for touchdowns. His jersey number 20 was retired by the football team. Reed also played basketball, baseball, and ran track & field.

Track and Field Achievements

Reed was also a great track athlete at Destrehan High School. He was part of the state champion 4 × 100 meters relay team. He set a high school record in the javelin throw. He also did well in the long jump and triple jump.

While in college, Reed joined the Miami Hurricanes track and field team in 2000. He competed in jumping and javelin throwing events. He finished 7th in the triple jump at the 2000 Big East Championships. He also placed 3rd in the javelin throw.

College Football Career

Reed received a scholarship to the University of Miami. He was a star defensive back for the Miami Hurricanes football teams. He played from 1997 to 2001. Reed was a key player on the Hurricanes' 2001 National Championship team.

After not playing in 1997 (called redshirting), Reed led his team in 1998. He had two interceptions and four forced fumbles. In 1999, he had two more interceptions. He was named a first-team All-American in 2000. In 2001, he was a unanimous first-team All-American.

In 2001, he led the country with nine interceptions. He returned them for 209 yards, a school record. He also scored three touchdowns. He helped win a game against Boston College. He grabbed the ball from a teammate who had just intercepted it. Then he ran 80 yards for a touchdown. Reed was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 2001. He was also named National Defensive Player of the Year by Football News.

Reed set several records at the University of Miami. He holds the record for career interceptions with 21. He also has the most career interception return yards with 389. He returned five interceptions for touchdowns. He blocked four punts during his college career.

Reed and Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne were roommates in college. Reed earned his degree in liberal arts in 2001. He was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. Reed was also inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2018.

College Statistics Overview

Ed Reed			Defense
Season	Team	GP	Cmb	TfL	PD	Int	FF
1997	Miami	0	Redshirt
1998	Miami	11	90	2.0	7	2	4
1999	Miami	12	74	4.0	4	2	0
2000	Miami	11	80	0.0	23	8	0
2001	Miami	11	44	1.0	18	9	0
Totals		45	288	7.0	52	21	4

Professional NFL Career

The Baltimore Ravens picked Ed Reed in the first round of the 2002 NFL draft. He was the 24th player chosen overall. He was the second safety drafted that year.

Joining the Baltimore Ravens

On August 3, 2002, the Baltimore Ravens signed Reed. He received a five-year contract. Reed became the starting free safety for the Ravens. He played alongside another rookie, Will Demps.

He played his first professional game on September 8, 2002. In Week 4, he made his first career interception. He also blocked a punt. The next week, he had another interception. In Week 6, he made his first career sack. In Week 10, he had two interceptions. He started all 16 games as a rookie. He made 85 tackles and five interceptions. He was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team.

Reed (20), Ray Lewis, and Chris McAlister playing for the Ravens against Chris Henry of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2006

Key Moments and Awards (2003-2008)

In 2003, Reed continued as a starting safety. In Week 2, he scored his first career touchdown. He returned an interception for 54 yards. In Week 6, he blocked a punt and returned it for a 22-yard touchdown. He was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Reed was chosen for his first Pro Bowl in 2004. He started all 16 games. He had 71 tackles and seven interceptions. The Ravens won their division and made the playoffs.

NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2004)

In 2004, Reed had a fantastic season. He had a career-high nine interceptions. He returned one interception for a 106-yard touchdown. This was an NFL record at the time. He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for November. Reed was selected for the 2005 Pro Bowl. He was also named a First-team All-Pro.

Reed won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award. He set an NFL record for most interception return yards in a season. He had 358 yards on nine interceptions. This record was later broken in 2009.

Continued Success and Records (2006-2008)

In 2006, the Ravens signed Reed to a six-year contract extension. In Week 4, he recorded his first career safety. In Week 9, he scored a touchdown after a teammate's interception. He was named to the 2007 Pro Bowl. He was also named a First Team All-Pro for the second time. The Ravens had a great season, finishing 13–3. In the playoffs, Reed had two interceptions.

In 2007, Reed returned a punt for a 63-yard touchdown. He was chosen for the 2008 Pro Bowl. He was named a First Team All-Pro for the third time.

Reed with the Baltimore Ravens, 2008

In 2008, Reed set a new NFL record. He returned an interception for 107 yards for a touchdown. This broke his own record from 2004. The ball and jersey from this play are now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He had four games with two interceptions that season. He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for December. Reed was selected for the 2009 Pro Bowl. He was named a First Team All-Pro for the second time. The Ravens made it to the AFC Championship game. Reed was also named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Team for the 2000s.

The jersey and cleats worn by Reed during his record setting interception return on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Later Ravens Years (2009-2012)

In 2009, Reed scored another touchdown from an interception. He was chosen for the 2010 Pro Bowl. He was the only player unanimously voted onto the AP 2008 NFL All-Pro team.

In 2010, Reed missed some games due to hip surgery. When he returned, he quickly made an impact. He had two interceptions in Week 7. He had two more in Week 16 and Week 17. He led the league with eight interceptions in just ten games. He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week and Month. He was also a 2011 Pro Bowl selection and a First Team All-Pro.

In 2011, Reed had another strong season. He had two interceptions in the first game. This was his 12th game with multiple interceptions. This broke a record held by Ronnie Lott. He was selected for the 2012 Pro Bowl. The Ravens won their division.

Super Bowl XLVII Champion (2012)

In 2012, Reed continued as a starting safety. In Week 1, he returned an interception for a 34-yard touchdown. This made him the NFL's all-time leader in career interception return yards. In Week 3, he had nine tackles.

Reed signing a football helmet, 2012

During the season, Reed was fined for a hit on another player. The league said it was a violation of safety rules. The Ravens made it to Super Bowl XLVII. On February 3, 2013, Reed started in the Super Bowl. He had five tackles and an interception. The Ravens won the Super Bowl 34–31 against the San Francisco 49ers.

Reed after winning Super Bowl XLVII

Reed and his son at M&T Bank Stadium following the Ravens Super Bowl XLVII victory

Time with Houston Texans and New York Jets (2013)

After the 2012 season, Reed became a free agent. He signed a three-year contract with the Houston Texans. He played his first game for them in September 2013. As the season went on, he played less. He lost his starting job.

In November 2013, Reed was released by the Texans. He had 16 tackles and no interceptions in seven games. A few days later, the New York Jets signed him. This reunited him with coach Rex Ryan. Reed played his first game for the Jets on November 17, 2013.

With the Jets, he had three interceptions. These helped the Jets win two games at the end of the season. Overall in 2013, he played 14 games and had 42 tackles.

Retirement and Hall of Fame

Ed Reed announced his retirement on May 6, 2015. He signed a one-day contract on May 7 to retire as a Baltimore Raven.

Reed was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on February 2, 2019. This was his first year of eligibility. He was also named to the NFL 100 All Time Team.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular Season Performance

Playoff Performance

NFL Records and Achievements

NFL Records

• Tied for most playoff career interceptions (9)
• Longest interception return (107 yards, a touchdown)
• Most interception return yards in a career (1,590 yards)
• Tied for most career blocked punts returned for touchdowns (3)
• Only player in NFL history to score touchdowns from an interception, fumble recovery, blocked punt, and punt return.
• Most games with multiple interceptions in a career (12)

Ravens Team Records

• Most career interceptions (61)
• Most career interception return yards (1,541)
• Most career interception return touchdowns (7)
• Most passes defended (137)
• Most interception-return yards in a single game (150)

Awards and Honors

Reed with the Vince Lombardi Trophy at the Ravens Super Bowl parade.

NFL Awards

• Super Bowl champion (XLVII)
• NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2004)
• 5-time First-team All-Pro (2004, 2006–2008, 2010)
• 3-time Second-team All-Pro (2003, 2009, 2011)
• 9-time Pro Bowl selection (2003, 2004, 2006–2012)
• 3-time NFL interceptions leader (2004, 2008, 2010)
• NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
• NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
• PFWA All-Rookie Team (2002)
• Baltimore Ravens Ring of Honor

College Awards

• BCS national champion (2001)
• Co-Big East Defensive Player of the Year (2001)
• Unanimous All-American (2001)
• Consensus All-American (2000)

Coaching and Administrative Roles

Coaching Career

On January 13, 2016, Reed was hired as an assistant defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills. This was his third time working with coach Rex Ryan. After the 2016 season, Reed was not kept on the coaching staff.

In December 2022, Reed was hired as the head coach for the Bethune–Cookman Wildcats football team. However, the school decided not to finalize his contract in January 2023. Before this, Reed had publicly shared his concerns about the poor condition of the school's sports facilities. He stated that the school did not want him because he "tell[s] the truth."

Administrative Career

On January 30, 2020, the University of Miami hired Reed. He became the football team's chief of staff. This was an advisory role to the head coach. Reed continued in this role even when a new head coach took over.

Personal Life

Reed is a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He joined on November 16, 2024.

See also

In Spanish: Ed Reed para niños