2012 NFL Hall of Fame Finalist and Former Buffalo Bill Joins AIF

Published on February 1, 2012 under American Indoor Football (AIF) News Release

Andre Reed a 2012 NFL Hall of Fame Finalist and former 16 year NFL player has agreed to be a member of the American Indoor Football (AIF) Advisory Board.

The Board will meet through the course of the year to discuss programs and ideas that will help solidify each team in the AIF as a community leader. A team that will be there not only to provide great football entertainment but be a team with the community needs at its core. The Board will also work on such important programs as setting up a mentoring commission, implementing youth camps as well as the AIF for Kids Youth Football League in our leagues cities. In addition the AIF will be heavily involved with programs to help prevent drug and alcohol abuse by our youths. A subject that is near and dear to Andre's heart. Every team in our league will have Andre Reed's website link on it and fans will be able to go on the site and be an active part in Andre's efforts to eliminate drug and alcohol abuse with the children in our communities.

Fans will also have the ability to get involved with their local teams efforts to help promote the positive messages of the AIF such as education, charity and community Awareness.

Andre Reed was born January 29, 1964 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, went on to attended Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, where he moved to the wide receiver position and quickly drew the attention of the NFL for his speed and durability at the receiver position.

Andre played wide receiver in the National Football League for 16 seasons, 15 with the Buffalo Bills (1985-1999) and one with the Washington Redskins (2000). In the 1985 NFL Draft, Reed was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round with the 86th overall selection. He played for the Bills for 15 consecutive seasons, from 1985 through 1999, during which he played in four Super Bowls for the Bills. In 2000, Reed joined the Washington Redskins and retired after the 2000 season

Reed ranks near the top in nearly all NFL career statistical receiving categories. He went over 1000 yards four times in a 16 year career, is eighth in NFL history in total career receptions with 951 (behind only Jerry Rice, Cris Carter, Tim Brown, Isaac Bruce, Tony Gonzalez, Terrell Owens, and Marvin Harrison), ninth in NFL history in total career receiving yards with 13,198. Reed is also eleventh in NFL history in total career touchdown receptions with 87.

He also rushed for 500 yards and a touchdown on 75 carries. With the Bills, Reed played in four consecutive Super Bowls (1991-1994) and was selected to the Pro Bowl in seven consecutive seasons (1988-1994). Reed set season career highs with 90 receptions in 1994, ten touchdowns in 1991, and 1,312 receiving yards in 1989.

A tribute to his incredible physical durability, Reed played in 234 NFL games between 1985 and 2000, the 59th most games played by any player in NFL history, including players in less physically demanding positions, such as kickers and punters.

In his four Super Bowls, Reed recorded 27 receptions, the second most total career Super Bowl receptions in NFL history (behind Rice's 33). His 323 total Super Bowl receiving yards are the third most in Super Bowl history (behind only Rice's 604 yards and Lynn Swann's 364).

Andre played an important roll in taking the Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls, Reed is remembered particularly for his contributions to the Bills' extraordinary 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 during the third quarter, Reed caught three touchdowns in the second half to lead the Bills to the largest comeback in NFL history. Contributing substantially to "The Comeback," Reed finished the game with eight receptions for 136 yards and three touchdowns. The game has been enshrined in NFL history as one of the greatest games ever played. It also is recognized as one of the largest comebacks by any team in the history of all of American professional sports.

Following the Bills' victory against the Oilers, Reed went on to catch eight passes for 152 yards in the Bills' 52-17 Super Bowl XXVII loss, on January 31, 1993, to the Dallas Cowboys.

Reed became eligible for induction into the NFL's Pro Football Hall of Fame, the highest honor afforded a former NFL player, in 2006. Andre is currently among the 15 finalists for the Hall of Fame Class of 2012. In 2006, he was voted into the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame, joining a number of other players from Bills history whose names are enshrined in the field-encircling cement of Buffalo's Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Since his NFL retirement in 2000, Reed has provided football commentary on the ESPN2 show, First Take, and appears periodically as a football analyst on NFL on Fox. He has also appeared on the Spike TV sports series Pros vs. Joes in the show's second season.

In addition Andre is active in his foundation The Andre Reed Foundation that was established in 2010 to help underprivileged children reach their full potential and become responsible contributors to their communities.

AIF President and Owner John Morris is excited about the addition of Andre to the AIF Advisory Board and his desire to help take the AIF to the next level, not just another sports league but a league that cares for its cities and the citizens that reside in them.

American Indoor Football Stories from February 1, 2012

• Feel Good Movement Teams Up with Stampede - Harrisburg Stampede
• 2012 NFL Hall of Fame Finalist and Former Buffalo Bill Joins AIF - AIF

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