For the past eight seasons, Ed Reed has been the epitemy of a dominating safety on the field and a selfless personality in the community of Baltimore. He has put his heart and soul into helping the Ravens develop and maintain one of the most feared and respected defenses in the history of the league. His work off the field is also just as impressive, as he has gotten involved with charity events, toy drives, and community auctions throughout his career. His dedication to the Ravens, as well as the city that roots whole-heartedly for the team, makes Reed one of the most well-rounded professional athletes in the league.

From his days at the University of Miami, Ed Reed has been a player that opposing offenses have had tons of difficulty finding ways to crack. The awards and recognitions are endless, the stats are unbelievable, and for all of his efforts, he was drafted by an NFL team that would prolong his football success and turn him into a commanding soldier on a professional level.

Reed has never had a problem with being sidelined due to injury. Only in 2005 did Reed miss starts due to problems being hurt. Even last year, Reed played through a nerve injury in his neck in order to help lead the team to the AFC Championship game.

However, unfortunately for the Ravens, Reed’s neck injury has not gone away. The off-season offered only a temporary break from the pounding and bone crushing that NFL games so kindly provide. For Reed, his time away from the game during the summer consisted of seeing specialist after specialist in an attempt to figure out what he can do about a problem that seems to becoming more career threatening with each medical opinion.

The technical medical condition for what Reed is suffering from is nerve impingement. Reed has this impingement, which is usually caused by a nerve getting trapped between two spinal bones, in his neck, affecting both his neck and his shoulders.  To a person who is not suffering from the injury, it sounds uncomfortable, and one would probably have a hard time actually having to live day to day with that type of pain. Can you imagine having to lift objects, mow the lawn, or even try to fall asleep with the constant discomfort a nerve problem would bring? How about play professional football?

The valiant thing about the situation is Ed Reed’s push to keep playing, despite the pain and discomfort. He doesn’t have to continue to play football. Reed has been in this league for eight years, accomplished numbers of goals, been to several Pro Bowls, and is one of the most respected defensive players in years. But his love for the game, as well his commitment to the organization he plays for, won’t allow him to call it quits. He wants to keep doing what he thoroughly enjoys, help the only team he’s known, and continue to drive for that Superbowl ring.

Surgery is one option for Ed, although, according to Reed, it’s actually the worst route to take right now.

“If I had surgery now [...] I would not be playing anymore.” Reed has said.

From that statement, some have drawn the conclusion that the surgery Reed would have to go through would involve a cervical

fusion operation, much like what Sterling Sharpe went through and eventually ended his career. The removal of the nerve and then the eventual fusion between two vertebra would seem to be a fragile operation, and NFL activity doesn’t seem like the best recommendation for any recovery.

For now, Reed said he will play through the lingering pain. His plan is to play, knowing in the back of his mind that the injury is there. His decision making might be more conservative, knowing that the impact of any irrational move could be lifelong.

So what should Ravens fans expect, if anything at all? So far, Reed has been able to play through the pain, and, until recently, fans wouldn’t have guessed that he was even that badly injured. Only through his off-season attempts to get the problem fixed has it become apparent that the Ravens’ future Hall of Fame safety is suffering for the benefit of his team. Reed has made it known that his family is on his mind more than anything else. The game has seemed to get personal, and rightfully so. Injuries are not something to take lightly, however minor, considering how much is involved to rehabilitate. But, even still, Ed has made a commitment to the team, claiming that he will continue to uphold his role in the Lewis-Reed tandum that the league has gotten to know so well over the years. While we cannot take a look into the future to see how long his career will extend, we can hope that it will be a successful, satisfying, but most importantly, healthy endevour.