Frank Reich
Head Coach | Indianapolis Colts
In his own words…
Frank Reich, now head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, is known for his incredible comebacks. Not once but twice in his football career, he led his team to victory against insurmountable odds. Today, his exciting determination endures after a long journey of "the highest of highs and the lowest of lows."
While playing for the University of Maryland, Frank was injured in the fourth game of his senior season and the chance to play professional football seemed lost. But in a game against the Miami Hurricanes, Frank came off the bench to play a key role in the high point of the season. Down by a daunting 31 to 0, Frank Reich led the team to a remarkable 42-40 victory.
He could not have known that history would repeat itself eight years later. Drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1985, Frank started in the playoff game against the Houston Oilers in a bid to go to the Super Bowl. As the Oilers charged to a 35-3 lead, Frank Reich looked to stop their stampede one play at a time. Although no team had ever won after being down by 32 points, Frank recalled his college comeback. Buffalo captured the lead in the final minutes of the game and eventually won in overtime 41 to 38 - an NFL comeback record that still stands today.
During the second quarter of Super Bowl XXVII. Bill's starter Jim Kelly had to leave the game due to injury and Frank Reich entered the game. Unfortunately, the Buffalo Bills lost 52 to 17, one of the most lopsided Super Bowls of all time. Frank had gone from the highest mountaintop to the deepest valley in three weeks. But in that painful journey, he still discovered victory - not victory on the field, but victory over disappointment and devastation.
