02/03/2025
In recognition of Black History Month, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. continues to recognize a few of its member's “Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor.”
Edward E. Reed, Jr. is considered by many football analysts, coaches, and players as one of pro football’s greatest defensive players.
Reed was born on September 11, 1978, in St. Rose, LA. As a gifted athlete in high school, Reed was named all-state in football and won track championships in the 4×100 meters relay squad, long jump, triple jump, and was the Big East Champion in the javelin.
He attended college at the University of Miami on an athletic scholarship and graduated in 2001. Reed played four seasons for the Miami Hurricanes football team, winning the National Championship. Reed was a consensus First-Team All-American, National Defensive Player of the Year, and Big East Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a finalist for both the Jim Thorpe Award and Bronko Nagurski Award. He also continued his track and field career and was the Big East Champion in the javelin.
The Baltimore Ravens selected Reed with the 24th pick of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played free safety for the Ravens for 11 of his 12 professional seasons. Reed was a member of the 2013 Ravens team in Super Bowl XLVII. Among his numerous achievements as an NFL player, Reed was:
• 2004 NFL Defensive Player
• 5-time First-Team All-Pro
• 9-time Pro Bowl player
• Named to the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
• Named to the NFL’s 2000s All-Decade Team
Reed retired from professional football after the 2013 NFL season. In retirement, Reed held various coaching positions in college and the NFL.
He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on February 2, 2019, his first year of eligibility. Reed was initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity on November 17, 2024, via the Grambling (LA) Alumni Chapter. Reed is one of 12 Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity members, to date, inducted into the prestigious Pro Football Hall of Fame, the most of any National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternity.
Kevin Scott
Grand Historian