Penn State Football: 30 greatest players of all-time

Mike Reid is one of the more interesting stories in not only Penn State history, but also the history of the game of football. A dominating defensive tackle for the Nittany Lions back in the late 1960s, Reid would go on to become a star in the NFL, before quitting the game to become a star in country music, where he won a Grammy for his work.

Let us rewind to those Penn State days, where he was the captain of the 1968 and 1969 teams that went a combined 22-0. As a senior, he was regarded as one of the best players in the entire nation at any position, finishing fifth in the Heisman Trophy balloting, while taking home the Maxwell Award.

Due to his dominance on the inside for Penn State, the Nittany Lions became the elite team in college football. Reid ended up being selected No. 7 overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1970. A Pro Bowl player in 1972 and 1973, Reid ended up leaving football in 1974 due to knee and hand issues, but would go on to win a Grammy for “Stranger in my House” 10 years later.

A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Reid not only was a standout football player during his time at Penn State, but also a champion on the wrestling mat. Reid did a lot of amazing things in both his sports and music career, as he was also honored by being a member of the Bengals 40th and 50th anniversary teams.