Joe Reitz

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Joe Reitz
refer to caption
Reitz at the Ravens Training Camp in July 2008
No. 76
Position:Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1985-08-24) August 24, 1985 (age 38)
Indianapolis, Indiana
Height:6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight:325 lb (147 kg)
Career information
High school:Hamilton Southeastern
(Fishers, Indiana)
College:Western Michigan
Undrafted:2008
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Games played:66
Games started:42
Player stats at NFL.com

Joseph David Reitz (born August 24, 1985) is a former American football offensive tackle who played seven seasons for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He attended Western Michigan University where he played college basketball and not football.

College basketball career[edit]

Reitz was an all-state high school football player at Hamilton Southeastern High School,[1] but he decided to play college basketball at Western Michigan University. He finished as the third all-time leading scorer and rebounder. Reitz also played in more games than any other player in WMU men's basketball history.

In his senior season, Reitz helped lead the Broncos to a Mid-American Conference West Division title and was named First-team All-MAC for both the regular season[2] and conference tournament.[3] Reitz was also a member of the Academic All-MAC Team.[4]

Professional football career[edit]

Baltimore Ravens[edit]

Reitz was signed by Baltimore with the intention of playing as a tight end but was groomed to play offensive tackle because of his athleticism.[5] Reitz, undersized for an offensive lineman, left college at 250 lb (110 kg), entered training camp at 270 lb (120 kg), and wanted to reach 300 lb (140 kg) by the start of the NFL season.[6]

Reitz entered the 2008 NFL season as a member of the Ravens practice squad. On October 1, 2008, the Ravens placed Reitz on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. While still a member of the Ravens, the move effectively ended his 2008 season.

In January 2009, Reitz was re-signed by the Ravens, and he entered the 2009 NFL season as a member of the Ravens practice squad. In January 2010 Reitz re-signed a reserve future contract. He was cut on September 4.

Miami Dolphins[edit]

On September 5, 2010, Reitz was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins. He was waived on September 8.

Indianapolis Colts[edit]

On September 8, 2010, Reitz was claimed off waivers by the Colts from the Miami Dolphins. He was waived on September 15.[7] He was re-signed to the practice squad on September 19. He was signed off the practice squad for the Colts first round playoff game.[8] In 2011, he began to see his first extensive playing time with the Colts. He was named the starter at left guard on August 16, 2011[9] He ultimately appeared in 11 games with the Colts, nine of which were starts.[10] Reitz entered the 2012 season as competitor for playing time at right guard. After being named the starter, he suffered a knee injury which required arthroscopic surgery. He also missed time after suffering a concussion in Week 13 and then again in Week 17. He ultimately appeared in nine games, starting eight. He appeared in 14 games during the 2013 season, with three starts. He remained with the Colts entering the 2014 season after he signed a one-year, $1.431 million qualifying offer as a restricted free agent.[11] He appeared in 10 games that season, four of which he started. On March 10, 2015, he signed another contract extension.[12] On March 7, 2017, he announced his retirement from the NFL.[13]

Personal life[edit]

Reitz married his college sweetheart, Jill, in July 2010. Jill is a former track and field and cross country standout for Western Michigan.[14] They have two daughters, Julianna, born in 2011 and Virginia, born in 2014 and two sons, AJ, born in 2013 and John, born in 2017.[15] Reitz and his wife now has six children and two more on the way.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Holmes, Matt (April 28, 2008). "Joe Reitz to Sign Free Agent Contract with Baltimore Ravens". Western Michigan University. Retrieved November 10, 2008.
  2. ^ "MAC Announces Men's Basketball Post Season Awards - MAC-Sports.com—Official Web Site of the Mid-American Conference". Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved May 10, 2008.
  3. ^ "Quotes/Notes - MAC-Sports.com—Official Web Site of the Mid-American Conference". Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved May 10, 2008.
  4. ^ "2007-08 Men's Basketball Academic All-MAC Team Announced - MAC-Sports.com—Official Web Site of the Mid-American Conference". Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved May 10, 2008.
  5. ^ Carroll County Times: Westminster, Maryland[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ Carroll County Times: Westminster, Maryland[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "Colts release Joe Reitz, Marcus McCauley". Archived from the original on September 16, 2010. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  8. ^ "Kelvin Hayden to IR, Joe Reitz to Active Roster - Indianapolis Metro, IN Local News". Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
  9. ^ http://coltsider.com/lt-anthony-castonzo-and-lg-joe-reitz-move-up-in-depth-chart [dead link]
  10. ^ "Player.DisplayName Stats, News and Video - player.Position". NFL.com.
  11. ^ "Joe Reitz staying with Colts with 1-year contract".
  12. ^ Gantt, Darin (March 10, 2015). "Colts extend versatile offensive lineman Joe Reitz". profootballtalk.nbcsports.com. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  13. ^ Keefer, Zak (March 7, 2017). "Colts lineman Joe Reitz retires". IndyStar.com. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  14. ^ "Right time, Reitz place: Ex-WMU basketball star Joe Reitz starting at guard for Indianapolis Colts". September 9, 2011.
  15. ^ "Indianapolis Colts: Joe Reitz". Archived from the original on December 9, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2013.

External links[edit]

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