Ravens’ Ed Reed to officially retire

Former Baltimore Ravens free safety Ed Reed, one of the top defensive players in NFL history, will officially retire Thursday afternoon during a news conference at the team’s training complex, the Ravens announced.

“Ed is a Hall of Famer, absolutely,” retired former Ravens safety and assistant coach Bennie Thompson said. “Ed did some unique things that kind of changed the safety position.”

Reed had a knack for baiting quarterbacks into thinking he was out of position only to break on the ball for interceptions at the last possible moment. Reed’s legacy with the Ravens is as one of the most exciting players in franchise history. In NFL circles, Reed was regarded as a dynamic playmaker who transformed the free safety position into an impactful one.

Reed, 36, hasn’t played in the NFL since the 2013 season. The St. Rose, La., native helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII, intercepting San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. It marked his final game with the Ravens.

Reed was a consensus All-American at the University of Miami. He was drafted in the first round by the Ravens in 2002.

He played 11 seasons for the Ravens. He played for the Houston Texans and New York Jets in 2013, but was out of the NFL last season.

For his career, Reed had 64 interceptions, 643 tackles, 11 forced fumbles and six sacks.

Reed holds the NFL record with 1,590 interception return yards and has the record for longest interception return in NFL history. He had a 107-yard return for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2008 and a 106-yard touchdown return against the Cleveland Browns in 2004. He is the lone NFL player to score touchdowns off a blocked punt, punt return, interception and fumble recovery.

Reed intercepted nine passes in the playoffs, tying him for the most in NFL history with Ronnie Lott, Bill Simpson and Charlie Waters.