George Reed

For those of a similar name, see George Read (disambiguation) and George Reid (disambiguation).

George Reed

Date of birth:	October 2, 1939 (1939-10-02)
Place of birth:	Vicksburg, Mississippi, U.S.
Career information
Position(s):	Running back
College:	Washington State University
Organizations
As player:
1963-1975	Saskatchewan Roughriders
Career highlights and awards
CFL All-Star:	1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971 1972, 1973, 1974
Awards:	1965 CFL MOP 1976 Tom Pate Memorial Award
Canadian Football Hall of Fame, 1979

George Robert Reed, CM (born October 2, 1939 in Vicksburg, Mississippi) is a former American college football and Canadian Football League player. Reed, along with Mike Pringle and Johnny Bright, is one of the players most often mentioned as being the greatest running back in CFL history. In November, 2006, Reed was voted one of the CFL's Top 50 players (#2) of the league's modern era by Canadian sports network TSN.

Reed played his entire 13 year professional football career for the CFL Saskatchewan Roughriders and his #34 jersey is one of eight that has been retired by the club.

College career

Reed played Pacific Eight Conference college football with the Washington State University Cougars from 1959 to 1962 where he was teamed with fellow CFL Hall of Famer Hugh Campbell.

CFL

Following college, Reed signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders where he starred for 13 years from 1963 until 1975, 203 games in all. By the time he retired, Reed held career records in rushing yards (16,116), rushing touchdown (134), and touchdowns (137). This was helped by solid offensive lines through the years, notably fellow Canadian Football Hall of Fame member Ted Urness at centre from 1963 to 1970 and Jack Abendschan at guard from 1965 to 1975. Reed's rushing yards total has since been surpassed by National Football League stars Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton, and, in 2004 by CFL star Mike Pringle. Pringle retired that year tied with Reed's total of 137 career touchdowns, and the two now share the record. George Reed still holds the CFL rushing touchdowns record of 134.

George Reed was voted the CFL's Most Outstanding Player for 1965 and in 1976 he was the inaugural winner of the Tom Pate Memorial Trophy for playing ability and community service. Between 1972 and 1981, Reed was President of the CFL Player’s Association. He was the MVP of the 54th Grey Cup of 1966, as Saskatchewan defeated Ottawa, his sole Grey Cup win.

On October 9, 1973 in Regina, Saskatchewan, George Reed was honored with the unique proclamation of October 34th as George Reed Day.

Post-football career

A naturalized Canadian citizen who is currently a Corporate Event Host for Casino Regina, Reed was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1978, Canada's highest civilian honour, and in 1979 was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

Video clips

Seen in game 3 of the 1970 Western finals against Calgary in its entirety

His TD run in the 54th Grey Cup game in 1966

CFL Hall of Fame member

External links

• CFL Legends- George Reed
• George Robert Reed at The Canadian Encyclopedia

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Lovell Coleman	CFL's Most Outstanding Player 1965	Succeeded by Russ Jackson