Baltimore Ravens Legend Ed Reed Retires

Baltimore Ravens legend Ed Reed has retired after 13 years in the NFL. Coincidentally, his decision was made four weeks after Troy Polamalu, as the two are considered the greatest safeties of the 21st century.

The 36-year-old athlete was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft. And almost instantly, he became the backbone of the defense with star linebacker Ray Lewis. The Miami Hurricane just had this abnormal mixture of football instincts and amazing athletic ability.

Even the usually stoic Bill Belichick has commended Reed’s superhuman ability. In a clip they have recently re-posted since the announcement, the coach talks to a young Tom Brady about always knowing where number 20 is on the field.

“Everything he does, he does at an exceptional level,” Belichick stated. “I mean it’s just so obvious when he’s reading the quarterback. Those receivers will run right past him, and he never flinches. He doesn’t even acknowledge them.”

That is simply something you cannot teach. It is why he is sixth on the all-time interception list with 64 and has the most interception return yards ever (1,590). He is a nine-time pro bowler, tied for the record of most post-season picks (9), was the 2004 Defensive Player of the Year and even has a Super Bowl ring (XLVII). When the hall of fame voters look at a stat sheet, it does not get much better than that.

Unfortunately, at the end of the 2012 season, the Ravens decided to part ways with their longtime safety, resulting in short disappointing stints with the Jets and the Texans. And with New York, he played his last NFL game in 2013.

But now, he is officially heading home to Baltimore, to announce his retirement as a Raven: a uniform he should have stayed in for his entire career.