Jordan Reed

Jordan Reed became a free agent in March of 2021.

Golden Nuggets

• Older brother, David Reed, was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the 5th round (156th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft and played wide receiver with the Ravens (2010-12) and the Indianapolis Colts (2013).
• Grew up playing baseball, basketball and football.
• Despite an early desire to make it to the MLB, Reed was inspired to become a professional football player after watching the movie Friday Night Lights. "That's when I really started falling in love with football," said Reed. "I was with my big sister, we watched it together. We always watch movies. It's been my favorite movie ever since."

Jordan Reed became a free agent in March of 2021.

Golden Nuggets

• Older brother, David Reed, was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the 5th round (156th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft and played wide receiver with the Ravens (2010-12) and the Indianapolis Colts (2013).
• Grew up playing baseball, basketball and football.
• Despite an early desire to make it to the MLB, Reed was inspired to become a professional football player after watching the movie Friday Night Lights. "That's when I really started falling in love with football," said Reed. "I was with my big sister, we watched it together. We always watch movies. It's been my favorite movie ever since."

Goldmine

• From an early age, Reed showed commitment to his craft and the determination to outwork his competition. His mom, Karen, was often woken up at six in the morning to the sounds of Reed, a former baseball player, practicing his swings using a training contraption wrapped around a light fixture in the backyard of their Connecticut home. As long as he completed his chores from the night before, he was allowed to practice outside every morning. During a time that his training mechanism was broken, he met Jack Cochran, who coached football at the local high school where Jordan's brother, David, was a wide receiver. Impressed by his size and stature, Cochran helped Reed into becoming the team's quarterback, eventually leading the Whalers to Connecticut's state championship game two times in four seasons.
• Karen Reed led by example, showing her kids the value of hard work and sacrifice, working multiple jobs in order to make ends meet. As a single mother caring for young children, she would often work until the early hours to help provide for her family. Having children participate in athletics is an added cost and commitment. Though the family lived in New Britain, CT, they were paying rent in New London because Reed wanted her son to be able to play for Jack Cochran in New London. Jordan's friend, Tyler Major, spoke to his parents, Tommie, an assistant football coach at New London, and Barbara, about the possibility of Jordan moving in with them. "Tyler, who is one of Jordan's best friends, came to me and said, 'Can Jordan live with us?'" Barbara said. "I had already fallen in love with him. How could we say no?" Shortly after, the Majors became Reed's legal guardians. "What the Majors have done for me, coach Major, I look up to him like a dad," said Reed. "And Mrs. Major is another mom."
• In June of 2017, Reed returned to New Britain, CT, to take part in the Tebucky Jones Youth Football Camp, named after the former New England Patriot and New Britain native. The camp gives young football players an opportunity to work alongside former players and develop their skills. For Reed, being back in his hometown helping out the youth football community meant a lot. "It feels great. It brings back a lot of memories of when I was a kid, playing basketball right over there and swimming in that pool. It's awesome," said Reed. "I grew up playing with all my friends, playing football and going to the parks and competing. That's what taught me a lot and what I do now, so it feels good to see these young guys out here and with the support they have. It's great to see." Reed hoped that he could help inspire the kids to see that hard work pays off. "It means a lot that I can show that they can make it. When I was growing up, there weren't many guys to look at and to give you hope that it's possible. So, I'm glad that I can do that for some of these kids."