Andre Reed NFL Hall of Fame speech: WR thanks all, but none more than Jim Kelly

Getting into the Hall of Fame is always tough for wide receivers, but for Andre Reed it was always a question of “when” and not “if.” He was enshrined on Saturday and gave a speech at the ceremony.

After being introduced by former Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, Reed began his speech. After thanking God and current Hall of Famers, he asked, “Where would you rather be than right here right now?” He then played the crowd, which was essentially filled with Bills fans. The cheering went on for some time.

Reed said that he has waited “nine long years” for this. He said that his dad taught him that patience was a virtue, and then said, “Dad, you were right.” Then he thanked his mom for keeping the family together by working 12 hours a day when he was a kid. He said he told his mom she wouldn’t have to work anymore someday, and clearly he delivered on that promise.

He told her that she’s “in the Hall of Fame, too.”

From there, Reed thanked his Pop Warner coaches. He said he developed his running skills early as an option quarterback, and that they called him “Deer,” which is “Reed” spelled backwards, because he looked like a deer in the headlights getting hit sometimes, but that it all helped shape him as a player.

He said that Bruce Smith told him, when he was inducted, that Reed’s day would come soon. Reed went on to thank Smith, and told him that he loved him like a family member. He then thanked Darryl Talley, another teammate, saying many of the same things. He mentioned other receivers in the Hall, like Michael Irvin and Cris Carter, and thanked them for paving the way.

Reed said his career didn’t take off until the K-Gun offense, which was known for its no-huddle shotgun formations. The Bills were ridiculous scoring machines at that point, and Reed said that it was all because of Kelly.

“How do I find the words to say anything about you? You’re the reason why I’m standing here today. Your belief in me that I could get the job done anytime will resonate with me for the rest of my life,” Reed said to Kelly. He said that he’s honored to call Kelly his “teammate, friend and family member,” and now, “a fellow Hall of Famer.”

Reed went on thanking people, including coaches and owners. For the benefit of the crowd, he also added, “Oh yeah, and the Bills will stay in Buffalo, too.” That drew quite the reaction. He then circled back to his family, thanked them and then the fans, and called it a speech.

It was tough for Reed to get in once he was eligible in 2006. There have been some stellar receivers to go in since then, including Art Monk, Irvin and Carter. There was also Jerry Rice, who obviously has the strongest claim of anybody at the position. But Reed was always going to get in eventually, and he got closer and closer each year, making the final 15 in both 2011 and 2012, and then the top 10 in 2013 before making it this year.

Reed is a seven-time Pro Bowler, and finished his career with 951 receptions for 13,198 yards and 87 touchdowns. He played in four consecutive Super Bowls, though the Bills, famously, did not win any of them. It wasn’t for a lack of effort or ability on Reed’s part, though. He belongs right there with the aforementioned guys who have come in recently.