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The Ravens public relations team just sent me a press release. They will be hosting a press conference tomorrow (Thursday, May 7th) at 2PM Eastern in the Under Armour Performance Center auditorium with Dick Cass, general manager/executive vice president Ozzie Newsome and head coach John Harbaugh.
However, they didn't say why or what the announcement was going to be. Until I saw this...
After 12 years, Ed Reed is officially retiring: http://t.co/QJyaoBbl2U You quarterbacks can finally rest easy. pic.twitter.com/TmWxkXKn70
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 6, 2015
First and foremost, congratulations to Ed Reed on a storied career and calling it quits as a Raven. One of the greatest of all time at his position, the Ravens organization, the players, and the fans will all greatly miss him.
Just to recap some of the accomplishments that ole man Reed had during his 12 year career, we've listed only his NFL and Ravens franchise records...
NFL Records
Most career interception return yards - 1590 yards
Longest interception return - 108 yards
Most post-season interceptions - Tied at 9 interceptions
Most career blocked punts returned for touchdowns - Tied at 3
First person in NFL history to return an interception, punt, blocked punt and fumble for a touchdown
Ravens Records
Most career interceptions - 61
Most career interception return yards - 1547
Most career interception return touchdowns - 8
Most passes defended - 138
Most interception-return yards in a single game - 150
Holy Cow! That is one heck of a list and that doesn't even count in his 9 Pro Bowls and his 8 All-Pro awards as well as his AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award or the fact that he is on the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2000s. His biggest accomplishment has to be that he made it to number 4 on our list of All-Time Ravens players....
But seriously, Ed Reed is getting a chance to retire a Raven after a clearly mistaken year trying to relive past glory with other teams. I know that I speak for every one of us here at Baltimore Beatdown, both writers and readers, in wishing Ed Reed a great retirement and an induction into the Hall of Fame. You've earned it!