Hall of Fame voters consider Reed today
Andre Reed gets his second chance to gain admission to the Pro Football Hall of Fame today.
Reed, the Buffalo Bills’ alltime leading receiver, is among 17 finalists who will be considered for induction into the sport’s shrine during a selection meeting.
Just two of the 17 finalists are in their first year of eligibility. They are Washington cornerback Darrell Green and Minnesota receiver Cris Carter.
Reed ranks fifth in NFL history in catches with 951, eighth in receiving yards with 13,198 and 10th in receiving touchdowns with 87.
He is one of three receivers to be considered, along with Carter and Washington’s Art Monk, who is in his eighth straight year as a finalist.
The other finalists are: defensive ends Fred Dean and Richard Dent; guards Russ Grimm, Randall McDaniel and Bob Kuechenberg; punter Ray Guy; linebackers Randy Gradishar, Derrick Thomas and Andre Tippett; tackle Gary Zimmerman; retired NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue; and senior nominees Marshall Goldberg and Emmitt Thomas.
A minimum of three and a maximum of five of the modern- era candidates will be elected. If the senior nominees get enough votes, the induction class could be as large as seven. There are 44 voters on the selection committee and 36 votes are required for induction. The results will be announced at 4:30 p.m.
Reed’s Bills career lasted from 1985 to ’99. Reed is third all-time in playoff catches and fourth all-time in receiving yards in the postseason.
Reed distinguished himself throughout his career for his toughness and his great running ability after making receptions. He also was durable, missing three games the first 10 years of his career.
“After Jerry Rice, it is my contention that Andre Reed is the greatest run-after-thecatch receiver ever in the NFL,” said Bills Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy.
Carter ranks second in career catches (1,101), sixth in yards (13,899) and second in receiving TDs (130). Monk ranks seventh in catches (940), 12th in yards (12,721) and tied for 31st in receiving TDs (68).
The chances of electing three wide receivers in one class are considered slim.
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