Ed Reed is one of the best players ever to wear an NFL uniform, and the former Ravens and Miami Hurricanes great just received another prestigious honor.
ESPN is ranking the greatest athlete of the 21st century.
It won’t be easy, and the list includes names like Tom Brady, Lionel Messi, LeBron James, Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, Simone Biles, Floyd Mayweather, and more.
ESPN received over 70,000 votes from contributors and staff and came away with the top 100 performers.
Reed is one of the most accomplished defensive backs in history, and he made the list at No. 99.
Reed was the ultimate defensive game changer of his generation. In 2004, he set an NFL record by returning an interception 106 yards for a touchdown against the Browns. Four years later, he broke his own record with a 107-yarder against the Eagles. Reed is the only player in NFL history to score touchdowns off a punt return, blocked punt, interception and fumble recovery.
A Louisiana native, Reed is a Hall of Famer (2019), a nine-time Pro Bowler, and a five-time first-team All-Pro while making the Hall of Fame’s All-2000s team and the 2004 Defensive Player of the Year.
