Ed Reed Retires As a Raven
Instinctive. Intelligent. Inherently terrifying.
These three words are among the many that can be used to describe safety Ed Reed, but a new adjective is a for the former Raven.
Retired.
Reed officially retired today as a Raven after playing 11 years in the city of Baltimore. His 12th season was spent as a Jet and Texan, but Reed is a Raven, and he discussed that throughout much of his press conference.
"You're a part of something when you come to Baltimore."
"I love the city. I love the organization. I hope I did more than I was supposed to."
Drafted out of the University of Miami by the Ravens 24th overall in the 2002 draft, Reed played in an era that allowed him to de-cleat ball carriers, but his preparation in the secondary would play in any generation.
In 12 seasons, Reed snagged 64 interceptions (6th all-time), leading the NFL in picks on three occasions (2004, 2008, 2010). He was a nine-time Pro-Bowler, an All-Pro five times and is the current career leader in interception return yardage with 1,590 yards.
He's also the only player in NFL history to score a touchdown from an interception, fumble recovery, punt return and a blocked punt. A strong member of the Baltimore community, Reed was known for his strong rapport with the city he was drafted to.
A stop at M&T Bank Stadium awaits Reed, who will be inducted into the Ravens' Ring of Honor on Nov. 22, though, the big stop in Canton in 2019 is a result of becoming one of the greatest secondary players in the history of football.
A no-doubt, first-ballot Hall-of-Famer, Reed is one of the last remnants of the days when football was in-fact, football.