I have talked to quite a few people about this player I'm about to describe to you. The conversation almost always follows the same script. It starts talking about the news and notes of the NFL: the top team, unlikely contenders, how bad the Bills are and so on. Somehow great players enter the fold. The topic of best active wide receiver comes up. Those I speak with always take the standard Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson, or Larry Fitzgerald route. When pressed to think of a Top 5, people often go with AJ Green, Julio Jones, Roddy White, or even Greg Jennings to help round out their lists.
My guy has lived in the shadow of giants for the majority of his career. It has been made clear to me that his low profile has rendered him nearly invisible in the eyes of many NFL fans. I return to my conversation. I have set the table to toss his name out and here it goes: "Do you think _____ is a Hall of Famer?" Most say no without hesitation, others think about it and still reach that same conclusion. Only one out of every 4 or 5 will say yes. Let me tell you why this baffles me.
This player is currently 10th in career receptions with 956*. He has nearly 13,000 receiving yards in his career, which is good enough for 14th and the all-time list*. This man is also tied for 24th in career touchdown receptions with 77*. Sounds like quite a career to me.
Consider his two Super Bowl appearances and one Super Bowl ring the icing on the cake. He has made the trip to Hawaii as a Pro Bowl player 5 times in his 11 seasons, and he is going again this year.
Reggie Wayne is a flat out stud. Those are his numbers and some of his achievements. Wayne has lived in the shadows of Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison throughout his entire career. This is the first year he hasn't had them around, which would mean the shadow is gone. Surely Wayne has the public eye now, right? Wrong.
The Colts "Suck for Luck" campaign paid off last season and the rookie QB looks like he could be something very special in the future for Indy. Once again Wayne is relegated to the shadows, behind a new face in the same place he began his career. The fans of the Horseshoe no doubt recognize his greatness as the second best receiver in Colts history. I'm here to say that before it's over, Reggie Wayne might move past Harrison on that list. Statistically speaking, he has no chance to pass Harrison in touchdown catches unless he plays at least 4 more seasons. However total receptions and receiving yards are not out of the question for Wayne; he could eclipse Marvin Harrison's numbers in those categories as early as next season.
Reggie Wayne embodies everything you can ask for in a productive, consistent, and professional all pro receiver. While most glance over his name nobody can deny his game. He has all the accolades as a player and is a model citizen off the field. There is no doubt in my mind that he will be in Canton someday, no longer in the shadow of giants; he is a giant all on his own.
*NOTE: These numbers reflect Wayne's career through Week 14 of the 2012 NFL season.
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