Feb 2, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Former NFL player Andre Reed signs autographs during the Taste of the NFL at the New Orleans Convention Center prior to the Super Bowl XLVII. The Taste of the NFL is a non-profit organization dedicated to kicking hunger in America by rallying the country’s best chefs and the NFL’s greatest to support hunger relief. Over the past 22 years, the Taste of the NFL has distributed more than $14 million to food banks through its national Super Bowl event called “The Party with a Purpose”. Additional funds are raised through local events held with teams in many NFL markets throughout the year. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
With all of us anxiously awaiting the start of training camp and the regular season I wanted to go in a different direction. As we wait for the battles throughout camp and find out who everyone is rooting for I wanted to find out what Bill is fans all-time favorite? For me it’s the Bills all-time leader in receiving Andre Reed.
Reed was drafted by the Bills back in the 1985 draft. He was taken in the fourth round (86th overall) from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. From his first season with the Bills he started to contribute and didn’t look back throughout his career. During his time with the Bills Reed built a good friendship with quarterback Jim Kelly and became a deadly option for the Bills offense. One of Reed’s best games was also a game that many people know of the comeback game against the Houston Oilers. Down 35-3 at halftime the Bills were believed to be out of the game until they started their comeback. The game ultimately had the Bills coming out on top 41-38. Reed’s performance in the second half was what his team needed and it help greatly. He had three touchdown receptions in the second half and finished with 136 yards receiving. When basically his all NFL career with the Bills came to an end (one season 2000 Denver/Washington) he had put up stats like this: 160gp, 951 receptions, 13198 yards receiving, 13.9 yards a catch and 87 touchdowns. Let’s not forget he was selected to the Pro Bowl in seven consecutive years 1988-1994, went to the Super Bowl four years in a row with the Bills 1991-1994 and selected to the Bills Wall of Fame in 2006
Since his career came to an end Reed is still heard from in the Buffalo area. He has been here on multiple occasions for things like Bills games to meet and greet with fans and also some of Jim Kelly’s functions with Hunter Hope most notably the celebrity golf tournament. Reed in 2010 has also started The Andre Reed Foundation and it was established to help underprivileged children reach their full potential and become contributors in their own communities. He also holds a celebrity golf classic yearly for his foundation.
Reed now is awaiting his call from the NFL Hall of Fame. He has been shutout so far but has made it to the last round of voting multiple times. Lastly he has recently taken a job with the Kansas City with their receivers and will work with Andy Reid.
There you have my favorite all-time Bills player and a little about him. Anyone else have Reed as a favorite? Who is your favorite?