NEW ORLEANS — For all he’s accomplished in his career, Baltimore safety Ed Reed wondered if he’d ever reach a Super Bowl.
He’s been an eight-time Pro Bowler, has played in 13 playoff games, including 3 AFC Championship Games, and has intercepted 8 passes in postseason games, which is tied for fourth all time in NFL history.
But there would always be a New England Patriots or a Pittsburgh Steelers or an Indianapolis Colts team that would stand in the Ravens’ way, and at 34, Reed knew he was running out of time.
“I didn’t doubt it,” Reed said of playing in a Super Bowl. “I just wondered when and if. I asked that question a couple times in my career. You have to have a special team. Everything has to be clicking, and you’ve definitely got to want it to get here.
“Not everyone is fortunate enough to go to a Super Bowl. I’m thankful and grateful. I’ve been saying that the whole time. I know guys who didn’t play a down [with Baltimore] and went to other teams and got to Super Bowls. You’ve just got to be part of something special and we’re glad to have it this year.”
Reed’s 11-year wait was worth it. Not only will the Ravens be playing San Francisco on Sunday in Super Bowl XLVII, they’ll be playing in Reed’s hometown of New Orleans.
“To come home, to be in Louisiana, in front of the home team, the home crowd, playing for the Super Bowl ... I can’t really explain it,” Reed said. “I’m really speechless. For everything that I’ve been through to get to this point, everything we’ve been through as a team to get to this point, it’s just awesome.”
Though Reed has never played in a Super Bowl, he won a Punt, Pass & Kick competition at the 1997 Super Bowl at the Superdome.
“It was awesome,” he said. “I remember everything, really ... going against Craig Nall and guys like that, guys who played in the league. I was going against quarterbacks. I was a safety/quarterback athlete. I wound up winning the event, and the winner of the event came to media day ... I was just standing around, me and my dad.
“I remember seeing the Superdome field, I remember seeing you guys crowd around. ... It was just an awesome day. After that, I wound up going to Disney World and competed in their Punt, Pass & Kick.”
While much has been made about this being linebacker Ray Lewis’ final game, there’s also speculation on whether Reed will be playing his final game for Baltimore on Sunday. Reed’s six-year, $44 million contract expires after the Super Bowl, and it’s doubtful the Ravens want to commit a big contract to Reed, who despite his team-leading four interceptions and three fumble recoveries, has slowed a bit.
Reed said this week that he could envision playing for the Patriots and praised New England Coach Bill Belichick. But his preference would be to finish his career in Baltimore.
Super Bowl XLVII
WHO Baltimore Ravens (AFC) vs. San Francisco 49ers (NFC)
WHEN 5:30 p.m. Central Sunday WHERE Superdome, New Orleans TV CBS
Sports, Pages 21 on 02/01/2013