Ed Reed: A Legendary NFL Safety

Early Life and High School Career

• Hometown: Destrehan, Louisiana
• High School Football: Focused on defense rather than offense
  • Senior season stats: 83 tackles, 7 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, 3 punt return touchdowns
• Background: Used football to escape tough circumstances

College Career at Miami

• Selection: Chose Miami Hurricanes over other offers
• Redshirt Year: 1997
• First Starter Season: 1998, with 2 interceptions and 4 forced fumbles
• 1999 Season: 2 interceptions
• 2000 Season:
  • 8 interceptions
  • First-Team All-American
• 2001 Season:
  • Led NCAA with 9 interceptions
  • Big East Defensive Player of the Year
  • National Championship win
• Miami Records: Holds all-time interception record with 21

NFL Draft and Early Career

• Drafted: 24th overall by Baltimore Ravens in 2002
• Rookie Season:
  • 85 tackles
  • 5 interceptions
  • Breakout debut but snubbed from Pro Bowl
• 2003 Season:
  • Increased interceptions to 7
  • First Pro Bowl nod
• 2004 Season (Breakout Year):
  • 9 interceptions
  • Defensive Player of the Year
  • Set NFL record with 358 interception return yards

Injury and Comeback

• 2005 Season: Missed 6 games due to ankle injury
• Contract: Signed a $40 million contract extension in 2006
• 2006 Season: Rebounded with 5 interceptions

Later Career Highlights

• 2008 Season:
  • 9 interceptions
  • Set record for longest interception return (107 yards)
  • Missed Defensive Player of the Year due to James Harrison
• 2010 Season: Led league with 8 interceptions despite injury
• Personal Loss: Brother Brian's death in 2011

Super Bowl Victory and Final Seasons

• 2012 Season: Helped lead Ravens to a Super Bowl win
• Super Bowl XLVII: Intercepted Colin Kaepernick
• 2013: Brief stints with Texans and Jets
• Retirement: Finished career with 64 interceptions, first in interception return yards

Legacy

• Accolades:
  • 9 Pro Bowls
  • 5 First-Team All-Pros
  • First ballot Hall of Famer in 2019
• Reputation: Recognized for instincts, work ethic, and football IQ
• Impact: Remembered as one of the greatest safeties in NFL history