On Tuesday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 25 semi-finalists to be inducted into football’s most elite club. Former Ravens safety Ed Reed was one of the twenty-five. During his eleven years in Baltimore, Reed was a prolific safety, ball hawk of a safety. He went to the Pro Bowl nine times, was named a Second-team All-Pro three times, and a First-team All-Pro five times. Reed also won NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2004, was named to the NFL’s 2000s All-Decade Team, and won Super Bowl 47 with the Ravens. His status as a semi-finalist comes as no surprise.

The general consensus is that Reed should be a first ballot Hall of Famer. If that is the case, he would become the Ravens third homegrown player in the Hall of Fame. He would immediately follow Ray Lewis, who was inducted last year. Lewis is hands down Baltimore’s best player ever, and no one will ever be able to replicate what he did on the field. Lewis’ leadership complimented his impressive athletic ability. Lewis played with another former Raven now in the Hall of Fame, left tackle, Jonathan Ogden. Ogden was enshrined in 2013, following the Ravens’ victory in the Super Bowl. Ogden was selected to the Pro Bowl in 11 out of twelve seasons and was a First-team All-Pro four times, and a Second-team All-Pro five times.

While Ed Reed will likely join the brotherhood of the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year, there are other Ravens who one day may be honored in the same way. Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs is the most obvious future choice. His long career in Baltimore has been fruitful, as he ranks 13th on the NFL’s all-time sack leaders list, with 131 sacks. After Suggs, the Ravens still could find other Hall of Fame players. Both guard Marshal Yanda and kicker Justin Tucker have a shot at celebrating in Canton, but it would take time for both to make it.

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