Andre Reed - NFL Hall of Fame Candidacy

NFL Hall of Fame Candidacy

Reed became eligible for induction into the NFL's Pro Football Hall of Fame, the highest honor afforded a former NFL player, in 2006. However, he was not selected for induction in either of his first four years of eligibility, due in part to the logjam of accomplished wide receiver candidates, including Art Monk, Michael Irvin, and Cris Carter. Although Irvin and Monk are now enshrined as of 2007 and 2008 respectively, Carter has not and the logjam became worse than ever for Reed as he was once again overlooked in 2009, and 2010 saw wide receiver candidates Jerry Rice and Tim Brown both eligible for the first time. Rice has long been considered one of the greatest players in league history and was almost assured of being a first ballot Hall of Famer, making 2010 a long shot for Reed. As expected, Rice was inducted, which may clear some of the logjam going forward for Reed and his chances of being inducted.

In 2006, Reed was voted into the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame, joining a number of other players from Bills history whose names are enshrined in the field-encircling cement of Buffalo's Ralph Wilson Stadium.

The 2009 induction ceremony was overwhelmingly pro-Buffalo Bills because former teammate Bruce Smith and owner Ralph Wilson were both inducted. Through the night, Reed was referred to multiple times as "future Hall of Famer" with various speeches voicing their ringing endorsement for Reed as a candidate.

On January 9, 2011, Reed was announced to be one of the 15 finalists to be considered for the Hall of Fame Class of 2011. He, Cris Carter, and Tim Brown were once again passed over. The same trio were among the 15 finalists for the Hall of Fame Class of 2012, and all three were once again passed over.