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Ed Reed’s Son’s Patriots Fandom
Background:
Former NFL safety Ed Reed, known for his Hall of Fame-caliber career with the Baltimore Ravens, faced an unexpected challenge when he accepted a coaching position with the Buffalo Bills.
His 8-year-old son, Edward, is a devoted New England Patriots fan, creating a unique family dynamic.
Rex Ryan’s Persuasion:
- Upon the offer from Bills’ head coach Rex Ryan, Reed’s son initially opposed the move to Buffalo.
- Ryan attempted to sway the young Patriots fan by sending Bills gear to help him embrace his father’s new coaching venture.
- Despite this effort, questions lingered about the origins of the boy’s allegiance to the rival New England team.
The Reason Behind Edward’s Patriots Fandom
Family Ties:
In shedding light on his son’s unexpected fandom, Ed Reed revealed that his son’s mother is from Boston.
Although she is not a Patriots fan, the family connection to Boston, particularly with his grandmother residing there, played a role in Edward’s affinity for the Patriots. Reed shared a personal anecdote, drawing parallels to his own childhood sports preferences.
Champion Mentality:
According to Reed, his son is drawn to champions. Growing up in New Orleans, Reed himself was a fan of the San Francisco 49ers and specifically admired Joe Montana.
The idea is that children often gravitate towards successful teams, impacting their work ethic positively. Reed emphasizes the natural inclination for youngsters to follow winners in the sports world.
Ed Reed’s Transition to Buffalo
Joining the Bills:
Having accepted the role of assistant defensive backs coach with the Buffalo Bills, Ed Reed acknowledged the franchise’s recent lack of success, having missed the playoffs for 16 consecutive seasons. Despite this, Reed maintains that the Bills are a winning organization, both in spirit and among the fan base.
Facing the Patriots Challenge:
Addressing the Bills’ historical struggles against the New England Patriots, who boast a 28-4 record against Buffalo since 2000, Reed highlights the importance of a process-oriented approach.
He urges fans to view regular-season contests against the Patriots with a realistic perspective, emphasizing the need for gradual progress and not expecting immediate Super Bowl success.
Reed’s Son Adapting to Bills Fandom
Adjustment Period:
While Ed Reed navigates his coaching role with the Bills, his son is adjusting to the shift in family allegiance. Reed shares heartwarming notes and drawings from his son, indicating the child’s efforts to embrace the Bills despite his deep-rooted Patriots fandom.
The transition provides insight into the personal dynamics of a family navigating the complexities of sports loyalties.
Ed Reed’s Legacy and Career Achievements
Involved in today’s AFC Championship presentation for the Baltimore Ravens:
• Ed Reed, Legend of the Game
• Ray Lewis, Legend of the Game
• Jonathan Ogden, Honorary Captain
• Anquan Boldin, Legend Q&A
• Michael Phelps, Game Ball Delivery
• T-Pain, Halftime Performance pic.twitter.com/tmNywlETGr— Front Office Sports (@FOS) January 28, 2024
- Ed Reed, a celebrated figure in collegiate and professional football, earned his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019. His illustrious career as a safety in the NFL spanned 11 seasons, during which he accumulated impressive statistics, including 13 touchdowns and 64 interceptions.
- Notably, Reed was a key member of the 2001 Miami Hurricanes national title-winning team and the 2012 Baltimore Ravens, who secured Super Bowl XLVII.
- Now retired, Ed Reed looks to pass on his legacy to the next generation, particularly through his son, Edward Reed III, who is making a name for himself on the football field.
Edward Reed III: Carrying on the Legacy
- Edward Reed III, the son of Ed Reed, has embraced football as a defensive back for the Chamblee Bulldogs.
- As a sophomore, he showcases his skills on the field, potentially continuing the family’s football legacy. In a notable instance during a November 2023 game against the Coffee Trojans, Ed Reed could be seen coaching from the sidelines.
- With a father who enjoyed a remarkable career, Edward Reed III is poised to carve his own path in the football world, with hopes that his journey extends beyond high school to the professional NFL stage.
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Team Allegiance: Edward Reed III’s Unconventional Choice
- It’s common for the offspring of NFL players to support the teams their fathers played for.
- However, in the case of Ed Reed and his son Edward Reed III, the situation takes an unexpected turn.
- Despite Ed Reed’s lengthy association with the Baltimore Ravens and a brief coaching stint with the Buffalo Bills, his son exhibits a strong affinity for the New England Patriots, an AFC East rival of the Bills.
A Unique Fandom
- During a press conference in 2016, Ed Reed shared insights into his son’s unconventional team allegiance.
- Despite Ed’s ties to the Bills, Edward Reed III passionately supports the New England Patriots.
- Ed Reed explained that the affinity for the Patriots stems from the family’s connections to Boston, where his son’s grandmother resides. Acknowledging the influence of winners in sports, Ed Reed highlights the importance of being drawn to champions, emphasizing the impact it can have on one’s work ethic.
Embracing Champions
Ed Reed’s perspective on supporting winning teams extends beyond personal preferences, as he emphasizes the positive influence of champion teams on an individual’s mentality and work ethic. Despite the divergence in team loyalties between father and son, Ed Reed recognizes the inherent attraction to success and champions in the world of sports.