In 1985, the Buffalo Bills used their fourth round pick in the draft to select wide receiver Andre Reed out of Kutztown State University. Reed was born in Allentown and played quarterback for Louis E. Dieruff High School.  In his senior year, Reed helped guide Dieruff to a three-way tie for the East Penn Conference Championship. While at Kutztown however, Reed was converted to a wide receiver where he was heralded as the most prolific football player to attend the Division II state university.

The fact that the Bills also used a second round pick to select a wide receiver, and already had a Pro Bowl receiver in Jerry Butler, suggested that Reed would have to distinguish himself just to make the team.  Reed, however, not only made the team, he managed to play 15 seasons with the Bills (1985-1999) and one final year with the Washington Redskins (2000). In the process he was selected to play in seven consecutive Pro Bowls (1989-1995), rewrote the Bills’ record book and added several entries in the NFL’s record book.

When Reed retired, he was considered one of the greatest “yards after catch” receivers and his 951 career receptions ranked third in league history.  His 13 seasons, including nine consecutive, with 50-plus receptions was exceeded only by Jerry Rice at the time of Reed’s retirement.

Without a doubt, the most prolific receiver in Bills history, Reed, a four-time All-AFC choice, is still the team’s all-time leading receiver with 941 receptions, (266 more than number two on the list).  His 13,095 career reception yards are still a team best, as are his 36 games with 100-plus receiving yards and his 15 receptions in a game.

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.

The Andre Reed Foundation was established in 2010 by Reed to help underprivileged children reach their full potential and become responsible contributors to their communities. Headquartered in Reed’s hometown of Allentown, Pa., the nonprofit organization has supported local charities, including the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown and the United Way, through proceeds from the annual Andre Reed Celebrity Golf Classic as well as Reed’s “Over the Middle” all-purpose sauce. The Andre Reed Foundation plans to expand its support to similar charities nationwide.