Former Baltimore Ravens safetyEd Reedannounced his retirement Wednesday, and just completed the press conference to officially announce his decision at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills today. The news conference also included general managerOzzie Newsome, team president Dick Cass and coach John Harbaugh.
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The Ravens first-round pick in 2002, Reed played 11 seasons in Baltimore recording 643 tackles, six sacks, 64 interceptions, 11 forced fumbles and scoring 13 touchdowns. Reed andRay Lewiswere the cornerstones of the Ravens’ defenses that won two Super Bowls in the organization’s short history in Baltimore.
Reed last played for the New York Jets in 2013 after being cut by the Houston Texans earlier in the season.
The University of Miami alum was comical in his press conference, calling Baltimore “home” while also taking a jab at some of his divisional rivals.
Reed on favorite QB to play against: "Every quarterback in Cleveland I loved. Cincinnati, too. Pittsburgh was always a tough team to play."
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens)May 7, 2015
Last month, the Ravens expressed their desire to put Reed in the Ravens Ring of Honor. The hold up was that Reed still had not retired, but now that it has become official, the team will place the future first-ballot Hall of Famer in their exclusive club on November 22 against the St. Louis Rams.
Ebony Bird
The Ravens have placed eight of their players in their Ring of Honor:Earnest Byner(2001),Michael McCrary(2004),Peter Boulware(2006),Jonathan Ogden(2008),Matt Stover(2011),Jamal Lewis(2012), Ray Lewis (2013) andTodd Heap(2014).
The numbers speak for themselves. He was named to eight All-Pro teams. He was the 2004 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He led the league in interceptions three different seasons (2004, 2008, 2010) and his 64 picks rank sixth all-time. He holds the NFL records for the longest longest interception return (108 yards) and most career interception return yards with 1,590 yards. He also has nine postseason picks, another NFL record.
There is no question that a place in Canton, Ohio will be calling Reed’s name in five years. Reed will go down as one of the greatest players at the position. Safeties weren’t often looked at as playmakers in a secondary until the era ofBrian Dawkins,Troy Polamaluand Reed took over the league. Now, every team in the league is searching for that ball hawk at safety.
Here are some reactions to Reed’s decision to call it an end to his football career:
One of the best player of this era called it quits today. Free Safeties should be 4ever grateful to Ed Reed! He made us important. Thank you
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25)May 7, 2015
#Ravensfan on Ed Reed: "There was a time when I preferred having the defense on the field because Reed gave us the best chance to score."
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink)May 7, 2015
Ed Reed was to the safety position what Deion Sanders was to the cornerback position.#OneOfAKind
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth)May 7, 2015
I have probably 50 Ed Reed stories I could share on the eve of his official retirement. My favorite guy I ever covered.
— Kevin Van Valkenburg (@KVanValkenburg)May 7, 2015
My brotha my dawg my homie@TwentyERit was an honor going to battle with you. Brotha's 4 Life! "Boy Dat Ed Reed!?"pic.twitter.com/R9pe6YpeD3
— Bernard Pollard Jr (@Crushboy31)May 7, 2015
One NFL question: Outside of Payton Manning, is now-retired Ed Reed the best player the Brady-led Patriots faced? He was tremendous.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe)May 7, 2015
Growing up in MD I was never a Ravens fan but Ed Reed might be the exception to the rule. What a stud, What a career Best of Luck !!
— Will Doughty (@nashwill23)May 7, 2015
Ed, thanks for calling Baltimore “home” for 11 seasons. You will never be forgotten.
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