Wednesday evening, the Baltimore Ravens announced that longtime Safety Ed Reed would be announcing his retirement from the NFL.

After 12 years, Ed Reed is officially retiring: http://t.co/QJyaoBbl2U You quarterbacks can finally rest easy. pic.twitter.com/TmWxkXKn70 — Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 6, 2015

Reed, a 9-time Pro Bowl selection and 5-time All Pro, defined greatness at the Safety position for more than a decade in the NFL.

Before that, he plied his trade on Saturdays in the Orange Bowl for the University of Miami, where he earned numerous accolades as well. Reed was a 2-time consensus All-American during his time at The U. Not a bad achievement for a 2-star recruit from Destrehan, LA.

Reed was a 1st round pick of the Ravens in 2002 (#24 overall), and played 10 of his 12 seasons for the franchise. Reed also spent 1 year each with Houston and the New York Jets at the tail end of his career.

Reed's excellence earned him the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2004, and helped him set many NFL records. Among them: Most career interception return yards (1,590) and longest interception return (108 yards).

On top of those personal records, Reed was a champion at both the Collegiate (2001) and Professional (2012) levels.

For Hurricane fans, Reed's legacy in Coral Gables can be summed up in 2 videos:

First, the interception return vs. Boston College that saved the perfect championship season

And then, the speech that will live in glory for all time: "I'm Hurt Dawg"

I'm hurt too, Ed. I'm hurt that you're leaving the game you clearly loved to play.

But, more than that, I'm happy I was there to watch you play.

Thanks for the memories, Ed. You're the greatest.