Andre Reed played for the Buffalo Bills from 1985 to 1999. He was on a team that went to four straight Super Bowls. Arundo along with Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, and Bruce Smith made Buffalo the most feared team in the NFL. Reed made it to the Pro Bowl seven times and got the Bills inducted into the Buffalo Wall of Fame. In his career Andre has a total of 87 touchdowns with 951 receptions.
After football, Andre created a foundation to help kids reach their full potential and become responsible contributors to their communities. I was able to chat with Andre about a great football weekend, fatherhood, what the Bills need to do to improve the AFC East, and his foundation.
Art Eddy: Before we get to your great foundation and your outstanding career in the NFL you will give me your thoughts on where to draft them. Should efforts be focused on this year’s draft?
Andre Reed: Well, this is the team that I’m red, white, and blue and I always want. Everyone remembers the good years that fan bills that were in the 80s, early 90s, and Super years we had with all the players and Hall of Famers. They haven’t been on stage for 13 years. I’m not saying the organization didn’t do it right. Maybe they could have done something a little better.
The NFL is a whirlwind. You have to find the players and enter the right spots. The bills are no different than any other. Until the players find the right one. Last year they picked up Mario Williams and thought the answer to their situation would be defense though. it was pretty good. He is hurting and coming at the end of the year so I am personally asking him to have a better year to go.
Offensively, the Bills team has been up and down for the past 13 years and just trying to get some continuity and have the right guys in the right spots. Actually, I’m working because when I played we had all the right guys in the right places and at four Super Bowls . They have had three or four coaches in the last 13 years, as the government has changed and the philosophy has changed. It changes again with the hiring of Doug Marrone from Syracuse two months ago. It will definitely be something to see, how they shape their team, and what their philosophy is to make this team better. Come out of the closet to not be in the playoffs and have more power in the AFC East.
AE: You are a professional in your career and you have done your job. What are the impressions of the bills passed by Stevie Johnson and some of his predecessors on campus?
AR: I don’t really have an opinion about the players. I could appreciate more about the Bills player than anyone else in the league. Stevie is the type of guy that was a seventh round draft pick out of Kentucky. It wasn’t really highly touted coming out of the bathroom that year. He worked his way to the starter. He had three thousand yards in order. They have a viable weapon. Some things that have been done is just the way guys are now. I’m going to give it the benefit of the doubt.
The players tout themselves. Now with the internet and social media players are going out there and marketing themselves. It’s just how it is in the league. I don’t mind players doing what’s just cool and within the parameters of the league rules. I think he got a little out of hand last year and I think the coach will tell him about it. I’m sure the ball will be pushed as far as it can go and it’s going to go to the rim and see how high it is. Other than that I think it’s pretty well accepted.
AE: You and Jim Kelly had great chemistry on the field at quarterback. What kind of secret calls or signs did you have to share before the story?
AR: This is funny. What I always said to Jim every time it was called jump I always used to say that I was open. (laughs) I always told him and every time that day comes when I enter the hall of fame. I might start my speech by saying hey Jim, I’m open. We would not have been as good as we were without such confidence.
AE: One of the most famous games in NFL history was a game simply called “The Comeback” when you and the Bills they came back from a 35-3 deficit in the third quarter against the Houston Oilers in a 1993 playoff game. He finished the game with eight receptions for 136 yards and three touchdowns. Where is that famous game for you in your career?
AR: Well, the moment is definitely number one. It’s a home game in the playoffs. We had a bunch of guys from us. Jim Kelly didn’t play. Thurman (Thomas) was injured in the first half. Cornelius Maro does not play. We were just a few guys.
I think our team was undefeated and the guys we had back up played their part. They knew that sometimes they had to play either themselves or themselves. It was the kind of coaching we had. It’s a testament to those guys. We had six or seven survivors in the team and we had another 35 guys who were also superstars in their own way. why could we do that?
AE: If you could describe Buffalo Bills fans in one word, what would it be?
AR: Oh man, there probably isn’t one word to describe it. Fans in each state love their team. They support the team. They are with their team through thick and thin. I think the typical Buffalo fan is someone who has to work nine to five every day. Come on Sunday, they are like other people on Sunday. (Laughs) Just different people come to one hour on Sunday.
If you lose on Sunday and have to go to work on Monday, you better dig deep. It’s going to be a bad start to the week. If you win over people on Sunday, you will do more than you thought on Monday. I think they are a team of thick and thin to come down to Earth. (They) will sit there in five degrees of weather as they will be there.
AE: You started a great foundation a few years back. Tell me a bit about it and what you’re wearing this year?
AR: I started my foundation two years ago. I have had a golf tournament here for two years in San Diego. Then one year I went home and my brother was like let’s go back to our hometown. Let’s have a golf tournament and bring celebrities to the (Lehigh) Valley here and show what the Lehigh Valley is all about and give back to the community here. At least it’s gung ho. I’ve got some good people running my foundation. I’m glad I can do that. That I should do it by myself, that we may have the right to do it to men after me.
To listen to the entire interview and get Andre’s perspective on parenthood, click here!
