On this Throwback Thursday, we look at two of the greatest interception returns from the same player, Ed Reed.
Ed Reed was the biggest game changer the NFL has ever seen at the free safety position. He was a ball hawk that is seventh on the all-time interceptions list. Nobody got more out of interceptions than Reed, who has the most interception return yards of all-time. Reed scored seven pick-sixes. When he was in his prime, there may not have ever been a better defensive back.
It was a Monday Night Football game in early November of 2004. The Baltimore Ravens were hosting the Cleveland Browns. The Ravens were up 20-13 but in the final minute, the Browns were driving. Jeff Garcia was under center for the Browns and he was trying to channel his old success with the San Francisco 49ers.
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The end zone was in sight. Garcia threw a pass over the middle of the field. It got tipped. Reed scooped it out of the air in the end zone. Before many fans even knew what happened, they saw Ed Reed running alone, down the sideline.
It was a 106 yard interception return for a touchdown. The Ravens won the game 27-13. It seemed that Reed pulled off some magic. It was one of the top plays in Ravens history, and there is no doubt about it. Reed took a tight finish and made it look like a convincing win for the purple and black. It was an NFL record, for the longest interception return.