Much More Than Court Jester

BY MATT PAWLIKOWSKI Sports Correspondent LATROBE - Over the years, the Steelers have produced some great players, like Jack Lambert, Terry Bradshaw, Jerome Bettis and Rod Woodson, to name a few. All were fan favorites, but perhaps none were as popular with Steeler Nation as current kicker Jeff Reed. He can be viewed as quirky and at times, even outlandish. But on this team, he's the man who keeps things light both on and off the field. "My number one goal is not popularity," Reed said. "At times I joke around and I play around, but I want people to know that I lay my heart on the field every time I go out there, whether it's practice or a game. In the end my whole goal is to win, and win at everything." When it comes to winning, "Hayseed Reed" as legendary Steeler sportscaster Myron Cope dubbed him, has been a big reason for the Steelers' success since he signed with the team as a mid-season replacement for Todd Peterson in 2002. Last year Reed hit 87 percent of his field-goal attempts (27-for-31), he was 2-for-2 in the Super Bowl, and had a streak of 210 consecutive extra points end last November. But what makes him special is his ability to put the ball through the uprights in the unfriendly confines of Heinz Field, especially when the weather turns nasty. "I'd rather be in 85 degrees every time I kick, but in Pittsburgh you don't have that," Reed said with a smile on his face. "But you prepare for it. Mentally, I have to just go out there and kick. You can't let the cold weather (lead you to) make excuses because all it is going to do is affect your status." That's a challenge, especially in Pittsburgh. There's a saying there that if you don't like the weather, wait 10 minutes. So sitting on the bench and waiting to hear your number called is no easy task during the dark, damp days of late fall and winter. Reed admits it's not an easy task, but it's something he relishes. "It gets tough, especially when it's cold,'' he said, "but at the same time, you are frozen the whole time, but when you get out there on the field you warm up because it is your time to shine.'' While Reed is a fan favorite because of his blue-collar mentality, more important is the fact the former walk-on at North Carolina has earned the respect of his teammates for more than just his kicking abilities. It's his work ethic off the field in the weight room. Although he stands at just 5-foot-11, 225 he is as strong as some of Pittsburgh's linemen. "I need to lift, because it comes with the job. I know I'm just a kicker, but when I get hit, you feel it," Reed said. "When I wasn't quite as strong it hurt a lot worse when you did get hit. The thing is, when you're a kicker you're excluded from practice except for 10 or 15 minutes a day or with special teams. But I want the guys on the team to know how hard I work, so whenever they are in there I want to work with them on or off the field." Reed knows this year won't be easy for the Steelers . Although they have an easier schedule than last year, he believes the camaraderie they share is something that strengthens the team. "I tell people who always say 'you've got targets on your back,' or are worried about contracts or people leaving or not leaving that this team is fun," Reed said. "And one of the main things to success is having fun. So although we are sweating, we are tired, we are sore, and you complain about it, we are very fortunate to do what we do. "Everyone on this team, whether you are married, single, have a girlfriend or have kids, we hang out with each other and learn a lot about each other. And it makes it fun and keeps everyone loose."