Walking into M&T Bank Stadium, you’ll see one of two statues: Johnny Unitas and Ray Lewis. With safety Ed Reed getting voted into the Hall of Fame, should there be another legend on the promenade?
Few other players were as dynamic and downright impressive as Reed was in Baltimore. It’s why the Hall of Fame voting committee took only a little more than two minutes to decide he was worthy of getting in on his first attempt. But it’s not just Reed’s play that makes him worthy of such a feat.
Reed is just one of three homegrown Ravens to enter the Hall of Fame, alongside Lewis and tackle Jonathan Ogden. That could be a defining factor in any decision on a statue. Then again, there are some that argue Lewis shouldn’t have a statue, and Ogden doesn’t have one. Putting up a statue for each Hall of Fame player would also set an odd precedent.
But, much like Lewis, Reed has done a lot for the city both during and after his playing days. Reed’s foundation has numerous functions in Baltimore, including helping the SEED School of Maryland’s football team.
Realistically, what sets players like Reed, Unitas and Lewis apart from others is they all represented the pureness of Ravens football. They are the three players most often used as an example of what it means to “Play like a Raven.” Reed was a student of the game, played hard each week and worked to make those around him better.
If Baltimore were to put up another statue in front of M&T Bank Stadium, it’s hard to argue Reed shouldn’t be the first name on the list.
