Mike Reid's Harmonious Legacy

Explore the extraordinary life of Mike Reid, the Penn State legend and NFL standout who traded tackles for chart-topping tunes.
Born on May 24, 1947, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Michael "Mike" Reid carved a unique path, excelling as a dominant defensive tackle at Penn State University from 1966, and again in 1968 and 1969. Even during his formidable football career, Reid harbored a deep passion for music, a duality that the National Football Foundation aptly recognized, calling him "without question, the greatest combination football player/songwriter who ever lived." His senior year in 1969 saw him lead the Nittany Lions with an astounding 89 tackles. That same year, his exceptional talent earned him unanimous All-America honors, the Outland Trophy as the nation's best interior lineman, and the Maxwell Trophy as the outstanding college football player. This remarkable collegiate career culminated in his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987.

The Cincinnati Bengals selected Reid in the first round (7th overall) of the 1970 NFL Draft, and he quickly established himself as a force on their defensive line for five seasons (1970-1974). Reid's impact was immediate, earning him All-Rookie honors. He further solidified his reputation as a premier pass rusher, earning two Pro Bowl selections (1972, 1973) and First-team All-Pro honors in 1972. In his five NFL seasons, Reid recorded an impressive 49 sacks (an unofficial stat at the time but tracked by the Bengals), showcasing his dominance on the defensive side of the ball.

However, the allure of music proved too strong. Reid retired from professional football to pursue his songwriting aspirations in Nashville. This transition led to remarkable success. In 1983, he won a Grammy Award for his composition "Stranger In My House." He was named Cash Box Magazine's "Songwriter of the Year" in 1984 and the Academy of Country Music's "Songwriter of the Year" in 1986. Reid penned numerous chart-topping hits for renowned artists, including Ronnie Milsap's "Inside" and Bonnie Raitt's iconic "I Can't Make You Love Me." His ability to conquer two vastly different demanding professions solidified Mike Reid's extraordinary and lasting legacy.

Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats:

✦ Outland Trophy (1969)

✦ Maxwell Award (1969)

✦ Unanimous All-American (1969)

✦ Second-team All-American (1968)
College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (1987)

✦ 2x Pro Bowl Selection (1972, 1973)

✦ First-team All-Pro (1972)

✦ Second-team All-Pro (1973)

✦ PFWA All-Rookie Team (1970)

✦ Cincinnati Bengals 40th and 50th Anniversary Teams

✦ Grammy Award for Best Country Song ("Stranger In My House", 1984)

✦ Cash Box Magazine Songwriter of the Year (1984)

✦ Academy of Country Music Songwriter of the Year (1986)

✦ Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee (2005)

✦ Career NFL Stats (64 games): 49 Sacks (unofficial)