Before he stepped onto the football field every Sunday, safety Ed Reed would read “The Athlete’s Prayer.” It was only fitting, then, that Reed started his Hall of Fame induction speech this weekend by reciting it:
“Lord, please clear my head of all distractions and my heart of burdens I may bear
So I may perform my very best knowing You will always be there
Please lift me up before the moment
So through Your eyes I may see
And have a clear understanding as the game unfolds before me
With great courage I will meet this challenge, as You would have me do
But keep me humble and remind me that my strength comes from knowing You
Then, when all eyes are on me at the end of this big game
I will turn their eyes to you, O Lord, and the glory of Your name”
Reed then gave thanks to God after finishing the prayer.
“Even now, the Good Lord, Almighty God, Creator of all things, all of us, He’s the reason why I’m here,” Reed said. “This little light of mine, I had to let it shine.”
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Elected to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot, Reed was inducted with Tony Gonzalez, Champ Bailey, Ty Law, Kevin Mawae, Johnny Robinson, Pat Bowlen and Gil Brandt as the Class of 2019.
Reed appeared in 174 games over 12 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans and New York Jets, leading the NFL in interceptions three times. He was a nine-time Pro Bowler, five-time first-team All-Pro selection, and a Super Bowl champion with the Ravens in 2012.
The Ravens selected Reed with the 24th overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft. He started all 16 games as a rookie, recording five interceptions and 85 tackles.
In 2003, Reed launched the Ed Reed Foundation, which continues to serve numerous communities around the country. Its mission is to “provide character-building opportunities by inspiring at-risk youth with athletic initiatives founded in mentorship, leadership, and exposure to new environments.”
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