The Baltimore Ravens just received some nice recognition. ESPN is releasing its Top 100 athletes of the 21st century (so far), and to this point, athletes ranked 76-100 have been released. These athletes come from all over the world and range from boxing to tennis to golf and the NBA.
The Most Comprehensive List of All Time
![Baltimore Ravens: Hall of Fame NFL Safety Named Top 100 Athlete (21st Century) - ESPN 1 ed reed nfl, espn](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/USATSI_3992958_168400517_lowres-1024x732.jpg)
Making a Top 100 list is a challenging task to undertake, but going to the extent that ESPN has gone is something that has never been done, at least for these athletes over the past 24 years. Their criteria breakdown is as follows:
“Experts in individual sports were asked to vote to rank the top athletes in their sport since Jan. 1, 2000 (no accomplishments prior to this date were to be considered). Those votes pared down pools in each sport to lists of 10 to 25 athletes each, which comprised the overall voting pool for the top athletes of the 21st century so far. Each voter was presented two randomly selected names and asked to pick which one has had the better career in the 21st century. Across repeated, randomized head-to-head matchups, more than 70,000 votes were cast at this stage, and using an Elo rating system, the list was pared down from 262 to 100. That list was then evaluated by a panel of experts for any inconsistencies or oversights, resulting in the top 100 ranking seen here.”
In other words, these rankings although not without controversy, have plenty of credibility as a solid list that should be seen as legit.
4 NFL Players Ranked 76-100
![Baltimore Ravens: Hall of Fame NFL Safety Named Top 100 Athlete (21st Century) - ESPN 2 New York Jets, Aaron Rodgers, NFL](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_23414918_168400517_lowres-1024x765.webp)
To this point, there are four players listed on the Top 100 athletes list, and they include:
- Aaron Rodgers (91st)
- Darrelle Revis (96th)
- Ed Reed (99th)
- Charles Woodson (100th)
Of these players, only Aaron Rodgers is continuing to play, suggesting that if this list is once again released in a few years, he may be the only one still remaining in the Top 100 as other players will emerge and put themselves in the Top 100.
This article will focus on Ed Reed, who played safety for the Baltimore Ravens.
Who are the 100 greatest athletes of the 21st century? 🤔
Presenting ESPN Top 100, a list of athletes across sports voted on by ESPN experts.
Check out athletes 100 through 76 here: https://t.co/akcJK5nu5J pic.twitter.com/yPuYe3Re6c
— ESPN (@espn) July 15, 2024
Ed Reed Dominated the NFL
![Baltimore Ravens: Hall of Fame NFL Safety Named Top 100 Athlete (21st Century) - ESPN 3 Baltimore ravens HOF Ed Reed](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/USATSI_22395585_168400517_lowres-1024x682.jpg)
In the early 2000s, when Ed Reed was in the prime of his career, the NFL was still a somewhat heavy running league. For perspective, in 2005, only two quarterbacks threw for more than 4,000 yards. In 2020, the last year of 16 regular-season games, 12 quarterbacks surpassed the 4,000-yard mark. Setting the stage with that, take a look at Reed’s stats in 2003-2005.
- 2002 (Rookie Season) – 85 tackles, five interceptions, 12 pass deflections, and two blocked kicks
- 2003: 71 tackles, seven interceptions, 16 pass deflections, two blocked kicks, one forced fumble, and a touchdown
- 2004: 76 tackles, nine interceptions, 17 pass deflections, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and a touchdown (106 yards)
While those stats may not scream dominance, his big play-making ability made him so dangerous. His stat sheet may not be the most impressive, but when he made a play, it was an impact play. He is the first and only player in NFL history to score a touchdown off a punt return, a blocked punt, an interception, and a fumble recovery.
When thinking of a modern player to compare him to, think of Kyle Van Noy. While Van Noy’s stats don’t scream anything crazy, his efficiency and ability to make a big play at the moment has made him have a long and successful career.
Reed was named the NFL 2004 Defensive Player of the Year, nine-time Pro Bowler, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019. He also played for the Houston Texans and New York Jets later in his career.
Get More NFL and College Football Content
Check out more of my stories, or leave a comment below! For more of the biggest storylines of College Football, the transfer portal, or the NFL, click here or follow me on Twitter/X.
Our Partners
![Baltimore Ravens: Hall of Fame NFL Safety Named Top 100 Athlete (21st Century) - ESPN 4 Book An Athlete Appearance MSM 2023 CTA 720x90 1](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Book-An-Athlete-Appearance-MSM-2023-CTA-720x90-1.webp)
![Baltimore Ravens: Hall of Fame NFL Safety Named Top 100 Athlete (21st Century) - ESPN 5 book athlete 1 1 600x600 1](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/book_athlete-1-1-600x600-1-300x300.webp)