Athletes - Andre Reed

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	Athletes - Andre Reed

Andre Reed (born January 29, 1964 in Allentown, Pennsylvania) is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver in the NFL for 16 seasons, 15 with the Buffalo Bills (1985-1999) and one with the Washington Redskins (2000). He is widely considered one of the best wide receivers to ever play the game.

High school and college career

Reed began his football career at Allentown's Dieruff High School, where he played quarterback. He then attended college at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, where he was a standout wide receiver who quickly drew the attention of the NFL. Reed was drafted by the Bills in the 1985 NFL Draft.

NFL records

Reed ranks highly in many career NFL receiving categories. He is fourth in total career receptions with 951 (behind only Jerry Rice, Cris Carter and Tim Brown), sixth in total career receiving yards with 13,198, and tenth in total career touchdowns receptions with 87. With the Bills, Reed played in four consecutive Super Bowls (1991-1994) and was selected to the Pro Bowl seven times in a row (1988-1994). Reed set career highs with 90 receptions in 1994, 10 touchdowns in 1991, and 1,312 receiving yards in 1989.

During his NFL career, Reed was known as a highly durabile and tough receiver. He was a fearless over-the-middle receiver, never afraid to take punishing blows in exchange for receptions and often shaking off tackles for significant after-catch running yards.

"The Comeback"

In addition to the important role he played in taking the Bills to four Super Bowls, Reed is remembered particularly for his contributions to the Bills' January 3, 1993 playoff victory over the Houston Oilers, a game that has come to be known simply as "The Comeback". In the game, which Houston led decisively 35-3 at half time, Reed caught three touchdowns in the second half to lead the Bills to the largest comeback in the history of the NFL. Contributing to "The Comeback," Reed finished the game with 8 receptions for 136 yards and 3 touchdowns. The game is considered one of the most extraordinary comebacks in all of American sports.

Likely Hall of Fame Induction

Reed became eligible for induction into the NFL's Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006, but was not one of the finalists announced during January of that year. The logjam of accomplished wide receiver candidates may hurt Reed's bid. He played most of his career with former Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, who was inducted into the Hall in 2002. Still, most analysts believe his extraordinary receiving statistics, along with the role he played in taking the Bills to four Super Bowls, almost surely will guarantee him Hall of Fame selection at some point.

Television career

Reed provides regular football commentary on the ESPN2 show, Cold Pizza, and appears periodically on The NFL on FOX.

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