Andre Reed

Template:NFLretired 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).

Reed ranks fifth in NFL history in total career receptions.

Football 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 drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round with the 86th overall selection. He played for the Bills for 15 consecutive seasons, from 1985 through 1999, during which he played in four Super Bowls for the Bills. In his final NFL season, in 2000, he was a wide receiver for the Washington Redskins.

NFL records

Reed ranks near the top in nearly all NFL career statistical receiving categories. He went over 1000 yards four times in a 16 year career, is fifth in NFL history in total career receptions with 951 (behind only Jerry Rice, Cris Carter, Tim Brown, and Marvin Harrison), ninth in NFL history in total career receiving yards with 13,198. Reed is also eleventh 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, ten 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.

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).

"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 of 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.

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 four years of eligibility, due in part to the logjam of accomplished wide receiver candidates, including Art Monk, Michael Irvin, and Cris Carter.

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.

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.

External links