Edward Earl Reed Jr. (born September 11, 1978) is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL), spending the majority of his career with the Baltimore Ravens. He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, where he played on Miami's 2001 national championship team and was named a unanimous All-American. He was selected by the Ravens in the first round of the 2002 NFL draft and played 11 seasons with them before playing with the Houston Texans and New York Jets in 2013.
During his playing career, Reed was selected to nine total Pro Bowls, was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2004, won Super Bowl XLVII, and has an NFL record for the two longest interception returns (106 yards in 2004 and 107 yards in 2008). He also holds the all-time NFL record for interception return yards, with 1,590, and postseason interceptions (9, tied with three other players). His 64 regular season interceptions ranked him 6th on the NFL's all-time leader list at the time of his retirement. Due to his accolades, Reed is considered to be one of the greatest safeties in NFL history, and was often referred to as a "ball hawk" during his prime. Reed was known for studying film to memorize opposing teams' tendencies, as well as his ability to lure quarterbacks into throwing interceptions. Reed was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019.
In 2016, Reed worked as an assistant defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills. In 2020, he was hired by the University of Miami, his alma mater, to serve as their football team's chief of staff, an advisory role to head coach Manny Diaz.
Contents
Early life
Reed was born in St. Rose, St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, on September 11, 1978. He attended Destrehan High School in Destrehan, Louisiana. With the Fighting Wildcats football team, he was an all-state selection at defensive back and as a kick returner and also the New Orleans Times-Picayune District Most Valuable Defensive Player.
Reed totaled 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 played basketball, baseball, and track & field. His jersey number 20 was retired by the football team in 2005.
Track and field
In addition to football, Reed was a standout track athlete at Destrehan High School. He was a member of the state champion 4 × 100 meters relay squad. He set a high school record throw of 56.94 meters (186 ft 10 in) in the javelin throw. Also a standout performer in the long jump and triple jump, he recorded personal bests in high school of over 24 feet (7.3 m) and over 46 feet (14 m), respectively.
While in college, Reed joined the Miami Hurricanes track and field team in 2000, where he competed as a jumper and javelin thrower. He placed 7th in the triple jump at the 2000 Big East Championships, setting a career-best jump of 14.58 meters (47 ft 10 in). In addition, he finished 3rd in the javelin throw, with a personal-best throw of 60.08 meters (197 ft 1 in).
College career
Reed received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Miami, where he was a standout defensive back for coach Butch Davis and coach Larry Coker's Miami Hurricanes football teams from 1997 to 2001. Reed was a member of the Hurricane's 2001 National Championship team.
After redshirting in the 1997 season, Reed led the team with two interceptions and four forced fumbles in the 1998 season. He had two more interceptions in the 1999 season. Reed was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American in the 2000 season, and a unanimous first-team All-American in the 2001 season. In 2001, he led the nation with nine interceptions for 209 yards, which was a school record, and three touchdowns. He helped seal a memorable win over Boston College in 2001 when he grabbed the ball out of teammate Matt Walters's hands, who had just intercepted it, and raced 80 yards for a touchdown. Reed was honored as the Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 2001, and was named National Defensive Player of the Year by Football News. He was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and was a semifinalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
Reed set several records during his time at the University of Miami. He holds the record for career interceptions with 21, career interception return yards with 389, and interceptions returned for touchdowns with five. He also blocked four punts during his four-year career. In addition, he was a member of the track and field team during his years at Miami and was a Big East champion in the javelin.
Reed and Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne were roommates during their time at the University of Miami. He graduated in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in liberal arts. Reed was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame as part of its Class of 2012 at a banquet held in Miami on March 29, 2012.
Reed was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on January 7, 2018.
Professional career
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens selected Reed in the first round (24th overall) of the 2002 NFL draft. Reed was the second safety drafted, after Oklahoma's Roy Williams was selected eighth overall by the Dallas Cowboys.
On August 3, 2002, the Baltimore Ravens signed Reed to a five-year, $6.18 million contract.
Reed entered training camp slated as the starting free safety after the role was left vacant due to the departures of Rod Woodson and Corey Harris. Head coach Brian Billick named Reed the starting free safety to begin the regular season, alongside strong safety and fellow rookie Will Demps.
He made his professional regular season debut and first career start in the Baltimore Ravens' season-opener at the Carolina Panthers and recorded three solo tackles in their 10–7 loss. On September 30, 2002, Reed recorded four solo tackles, a pass deflection, blocked a kick, and made his first career interception during a 34–28 win against the Denver Broncos in Week 4. Reed made his first career interception off a pass attempt by Broncos' quarterback Brian Griese and blocked a punt by Tom Rouen in the second quarter to set up a 13-yard drive for a touchdown. The following week, he made three solo tackles, a season-high four pass deflections, and intercepted a pass off of Browns' quarterback Tim Couch during a 26–21 win at the Cleveland Browns in Week 5. In Week 6, Reed recorded three solo tackles and made his first career sack on quarterback Peyton Manning during the Ravens' 22–20 loss at the Indianapolis Colts. The following week, he collected a season-high seven solo tackles as the Ravens defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 17–10. On November 10, 2002, Reed recorded five solo tackles, two pass deflections, and made a season-high two interceptions off passes by Bengals' quarterback Jon Kitna in the Ravens' 38–27 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10. Reed made his first interception of the game in the second quarter and was returning it for a touchdown when Bengals' wide receiver T. J. Houshmandzadeh forced him to fumble the ball by hitting his arm as Reed was extending the ball in celebration. His fumble bounced into the endzone and was eventually recovered by Bengals' wide receiver Peter Warrick for a touchback. He started in all 16 games as a rookie in 2002 and made a career-high 85 combined tackles (71 solo), 12 pass deflections, five interceptions and one sack. The following week against the Tennessee Titans, Reed blocked a first quarter punt by Craig Hentrich and returned it 11 yards for his first career touchdown. The Ravens won the game 13–12. He was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team.
Houston Texans
On March 22, 2013, Reed signed a three-year contract worth $15 million with $5 million guaranteed with the Houston Texans. Later in the 2013 offseason, Reed underwent arthroscopic surgery in his hip to repair a small labral tear. Reed made his Houston Texans debut on September 22, 2013, against the Ravens in Baltimore. As the season progressed, Reed saw his playing time reduced. He eventually lost his starting job to Shiloh Keo during Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts.
On November 10, 2013, Reed only played 12 snaps in a loss against the Arizona Cardinals. After the game, Reed told the media that the team was "outplayed and outcoached". A few days later, Reed was released by the Texans after displaying limited production with just 16 tackles, no interceptions, no forced fumbles, and no passes defended through seven games.
New York Jets
Reed was signed by the New York Jets on November 14, 2013, after clearing waivers. The move reunited Reed with head coach Rex Ryan, whom he played for when Ryan was the defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens. Reed played his first game as a Jet on November 17, 2013, against the Buffalo Bills.
In Week 14, he recorded his first interception of the 2013 season against Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt McGloin. In Weeks 16 and 17, against the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins respectively, Reed had an interception late in each game's fourth quarter, to preserve the Jets' win. The interceptions helped the Jets close the season with two straight wins to finish with an 8–8 record, which played a major part in Rex Ryan keeping his job as head coach. With the Jets, Reed played in seven games, of which he started five, with 22 tackles, four passes defended, and three interceptions, which was tied for the team lead. Overall, in 2013, combined with both teams he played for, Reed played 14 games, of which he started 10, with 42 total tackles, four passes defended, and three interceptions.
Retirement
Reed announced his retirement on May 6, 2015, signing 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, his first year of eligibility. He was the third homegrown Raven who achieved the sport's highest career recognition. He was named to the NFL 100 All Time Team.
Career statistics
Career highlights
Awards and honors
NFL
Super Bowl champion (XLVII)
NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2004)
PFWA NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2004)
AFC 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
No. 88 on The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players
PFWA All-Rookie Team (2002)
3× NFL Top 100 — 5th (2011), 16th (2012), 18th (2013)
Baltimore Ravens Ring of Honor
Baltimore Ravens No. 20 has not been issued since his retirement
College
BCS national champion (2001)
New York Times national champion (2000)
2× Big East champions (2000, 2001)
Records
Tied-most playoff career interceptions (9)
Longest interception return (107 yards) *Touchdown
Most interception return yards, career (1,590 yards)
Tied-most career blocked punts returned for touchdowns (3)
Only player in NFL history to score touchdowns via interception, fumble recovery, blocked punt & punt return.
Most multi-interception games, career (12)
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)
Coaching career
On January 13, 2016, Reed was hired as an assistant defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills. This reunited him with coach Rex Ryan for the third time, after stints together with the Ravens and Jets during Reed's playing career. After serving the 2016 season in Buffalo, Reed was not retained by new coach Sean McDermott after Ryan's dismissal.
On December 27, 2022, Reed was hired as the new head coach of the Bethune–Cookman Wildcats football team. Before he officially became the coach of the team, Bethune–Cookman declined to ratify the contract on January 21, 2023, which vacated the football team's head coaching position. Prior to his dismissal, Reed recorded a live stream on which he vociferously criticized the condition of the school's athletic facilities. In the wake of this decision, Reed continued his criticism of the university, saying "I'm not withdrawing my name as they say. They don't want me here. They do not want me because I tell the truth."
On January 13, 2025, Reed was announced as the offensive coordinator of Chamblee High School in Chamblee, Georgia, near Atlanta.
Administrative career
On January 30, 2020, Reed was hired by the University of Miami as the football team's chief of staff, an advisory role to head coach Manny Diaz. Following the departure of Diaz, Reed stayed in his role under new head coach Mario Cristobal.
Personal life
Reed is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He was initiated on November 16, 2024 through the Grambling Alumni Chapter.