Joe Reitz
{{Short description|American basketball and football player (born 1985)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Joe Reitz
| image = Reitz baltimore training camp.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Reitz at the Ravens training camp in July 2008
| number = 76
| position = Offensive tackle
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|8|24}}
| birth_place = Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 7
| weight_lbs = 325
| high_school = Hamilton Southeastern
(Fishers, Indiana)
| college = Western Michigan
| undraftedyear = 2008
| pastteams =
- Baltimore Ravens ({{NFL Year|2008}}–{{NFL Year|2010}})*
- Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2010}})*
- Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|2010}}–{{NFL Year|2016}})
| status =
| highlights =
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 66
| statlabel2 = Games started
| statvalue2 = 42
| pfr = ReitJo00
}}
Joseph David Reitz (born August 24, 1985) is a former American football offensive tackle who played 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
Reitz was an all-state high school football player at Hamilton Southeastern High School,{{cite news|url=http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=1449277&db_oem_id=4600|title=Joe Reitz to Sign Free Agent Contract with Baltimore Ravens|last=Holmes|first=Matt|date=April 28, 2008|publisher=Western Michigan University|accessdate=November 10, 2008|archive-date=September 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929074450/http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=1449277&db_oem_id=4600|url-status=dead}} 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{{Cite web |url=http://mac-sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=42971&SPID=3803&DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=1410643 |title=MAC Announces Men's Basketball Post Season Awards - MAC-Sports.com—Official Web Site of the Mid-American Conference |access-date=May 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720085943/http://mac-sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=42971&SPID=3803&DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=1410643 |archive-date=July 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} and conference tournament.{{Cite web |url=http://mac-sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=42971&SPID=3803&DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=1413054 |title=Quotes/Notes - MAC-Sports.com—Official Web Site of the Mid-American Conference |access-date=May 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720090014/http://mac-sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=42971&SPID=3803&DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=1413054 |archive-date=July 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Reitz was also a member of the Academic All-MAC Team.{{Cite web |url=http://mac-sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=42971&SPID=3803&DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=1436592 |title=2007-08 Men's Basketball Academic All-MAC Team Announced - MAC-Sports.com—Official Web Site of the Mid-American Conference |access-date=May 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720090033/http://mac-sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=42971&SPID=3803&DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=1436592 |archive-date=July 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}
Professional career
=Baltimore Ravens=
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.[http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2008/06/12/sports/csports061208.txt Carroll County Times: Westminster, Maryland]{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Reitz, undersized for an offensive lineman, left college at {{convert|250|lb|abbr=on}}, entered training camp at {{convert|270|lb|abbr=on}}, and wanted to reach {{convert|300|lb|abbr=on}} by the start of the NFL season.[http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2008/07/23/sports/bsports072308.txt Carroll County Times: Westminster, Maryland]{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
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=
On September 5, 2010, Reitz was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins. He was waived on September 8.
=Indianapolis Colts=
On September 8, 2010, Reitz was claimed off waivers by the Colts from the Miami Dolphins. He was waived on September 15.{{cite web |title=Colts release Joe Reitz, Marcus McCauley |url=http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Colts-release-Joe-Reitz-Marcus-McCauley.html |access-date=September 15, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100916213732/http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Colts-release-Joe-Reitz-Marcus-McCauley.html |archivedate=September 16, 2010}} 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.{{Cite web |url=http://fwix.com/indy/share/4f59fe87e0/kelvin_hayden_to_ir_joe_reitz_to_active_roster |title=Kelvin Hayden to IR, Joe Reitz to Active Roster - Indianapolis Metro, IN Local News |access-date=January 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711062125/http://fwix.com/indy/share/4f59fe87e0/kelvin_hayden_to_ir_joe_reitz_to_active_roster |archive-date=July 11, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} 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, 2011http://coltsider.com/lt-anthony-castonzo-and-lg-joe-reitz-move-up-in-depth-chart {{Dead link|date=November 2012}} He ultimately appeared in 11 games with the Colts, nine of which were starts.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/player/joereitz/2507506/profile|title = Player.DisplayName Stats, News and Video - player.Position|website = NFL.com}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.indystar.com/story/colts-insider/2014/04/17/veteran-ol-joe-reitz-re-ups-with-colts/7830581/|title=Joe Reitz staying with Colts with 1-year contract}} He appeared in 10 games that season, four of which he started. On March 10, 2015, he signed another contract extension.{{cite web |url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/10/colts-extend-versatile-offensive-lineman-joe-reitz/ |title=Colts extend versatile offensive lineman Joe Reitz |last=Gantt |first=Darin |work=profootballtalk.nbcsports.com |date=March 10, 2015 |access-date=March 10, 2015}} On March 7, 2017, he announced his retirement from the NFL.{{cite web |url=http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2017/03/07/colts-lineman-joe-reitz-retires/98847184/Z |title=Colts lineman Joe Reitz retires |last=Keefer |first=Zak |work=IndyStar.com |date=March 7, 2017 |access-date=March 7, 2017}}
Personal life
Reitz married his college sweetheart, Jill, in July 2010. Jill is a former track and field and cross country standout for Western Michigan.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/broncos/index.ssf/2011/09/ex-wmu_basketball_star_joe_rei.html|title = Right time, Reitz place: Ex-WMU basketball star Joe Reitz starting at guard for Indianapolis Colts|date = September 9, 2011}} 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.{{Cite web |url=http://www.colts.com/team/roster/Joe-Reitz/445b8918-c5ad-49c6-9a36-da9ab3b79039 |title=Indianapolis Colts: Joe Reitz |access-date=January 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111209160526/http://www.colts.com/team/roster/joe-reitz/445b8918-c5ad-49c6-9a36-da9ab3b79039/ |archive-date=December 9, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Reitz and his wife now has six children and two more on the way.
See also
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20090228141909/http://www.baltimoreravens.com/People/Players/Active/Joe_Reitz.aspx Baltimore Ravens bio]
- [http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24354&SPID=1924&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=120700&Q_SEASON=2007 Western Michigan Broncos basketball bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Reitz, Joe}}
Category:Players of American football from Indianapolis
Category:Basketball players from Indianapolis
Category:Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball players
Category:American football offensive guards
Category:American football offensive tackles
Category:American football tight ends
Category:Baltimore Ravens players
Category:Miami Dolphins players