Andre Reed may not have received the support he wanted from the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee on Saturday, but once again, he received immense support from his hometown.
The "Selection Show" party that the Reed family holds every year has become a reunion for so many former teammates and friends.
Former Dieruff coaches and players such as Bruce Trotter, Keith Newhard, Rich Sniscak, Rich Gimbor, Ted Phillips and many others were there at the 1760 Pub and Grille.
I think they realize that Reed's induction would not only be a big moment for him and his family, but for Dieruff High School and the city of Allentown.
And when that moment finally happens — and despite seven years of disappointments there's still a good shot that it will — every one of those people will be in Canton for Reed's enshrinement.
Because of the vast crowd, hundreds of dollars were raised to benefit the Andre Reed Foundation, which includes several worthy organizations including the Allentown Boys and Girls Club.
I wonder if the hometowns of the other candidates are having such heart-warming gatherings on selection night the way the Reed family has had for many years.
The good news from Saturday is that the logjam at wide receiver was finally broken with the inclusion of Cris Carter.
While there is considerable bitterness that Carter leapfrogged Reed in the process after the former Kutztown University and Buffalo Bills standout made it to the final 10 two years ago and Carter did not, getting him out of the way is a good thing for 2014.
The bad news is that Marvin Harrison is a first-time eligible candidate next year.
Harrison had 1,102 receptions for 14,580 yards and 128 touchdowns and won a Super Bowl in his Colts career.
Reed had 951 receptions for 13,198 yards and 87 touchdowns and played in four consecutive Super Bowls with the Bills.
Two notable differences: Reed played his home games in often brutal weather while Harrison played his home games in a climate-controlled dome. And Reed had an impeccable career in terms of citizenship, while Harrison had a tainted ending with a FBI probe and allegations about whether he was involved in the shooting of a convicted drug dealer.
Of course, clean records don't seem to matter. Carter, for example, was once cut by Buddy Ryan and the Eagles for, he later acknowledged, drug abuse.
In a statement released by his agent and published by a Buffalo TV station website, Reed said: "While it is obviously a disappointment and a bit discouraging not to get the call to the Hall this year, it is without question a continuing honor to be included among the final 10 again. … I am thrilled for the players who were admitted and hope that someday I will join them all in Canton."
DAKES TO SHIP
Allen High senior football standout Zak Dakes has verbally committed to Shippensburg University where he is expected to compete immediately for playing time as a safety.
Dakes, who played in a national all-star game in Tampa last month, said he was impressed with the campus on his visit.
"Everything was brand new, the facilities were outstanding, and it's a great football program," Dakes said. "They were 10-2 and PSAC East champs last year and their quarterback [Zach Zulli] won the Division II version of the Heisman [the Harlon Hill Trophy]."
Dakes, who also visited Ivy League schools Penn and Princeton as well as Division III schools Moravian and McDaniel, said he likes the location.
