Randolph Henry Standout Officially Signs to Play Football at UVa

“Humble” Attitude Makes Reed a Standout in Life and Football

By Brian Nowlin, Staff Writer

CHARLOTTE COURT HOUSE – Randolph-Henry High School Athletic Director Chris Holt addressed a huge crowd in the school’s library on Wednesday in celebration of Joe Reed signing his National Letter of Intent to play football at the University of Virginia.

Holt stated, “This is truly a special moment for him, this school, his family, myself and the entire community.”

“I think it is pretty great that as we are here…to hold this signing party, new UVa Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall is also holding a press conference to discuss his newest class at the exact same time,” Holt pointed out.

The fact that Reed and Mendenhall are already on the same page bodes well for the standout Statesman who set numerous records at his school and is the top in-state player signing with the Wahoos this year.

During the signing event there was mention of him running for over 2,000 yards and passing for nearly 1,000 more. He scored an outstanding 30 touchdowns for Randolph-Henry and Head Statesmen Football Coach Mark McPherson even presented Joe with his high school football jersey.

With family, friends, teachers, classmates and friends all in attendance, this was certainly a day to celebrate his tremendous athletic ability and accomplishments. His new football coach no doubt hopes to see plenty of that in Charlottesville.

However, as several people spoke about Joe throughout the event, the celebration turned to not just his on-field accomplishments, but to him as a person.

Athletic Director Chris Holt stated, “He is as fine a young man as we have in this school….He is so humble and it is never about him.”

Coach McPherson echoed those thoughts saying, “I feel like it was a great opportunity for me to coach Joe, he is just a tremendous person.” He continued, “I love you, buddy.”

Joe’s mother, Tonya, addressed the crowd and thanked everyone for their support through the years. “We are just so happy for him, he has worked so hard.”

She continued to say that their family, including his father Carlton, brother C.J., and their entire family, have all been so supportive through the years in helping this opportunity and dream come true.

Joe said before the event that he was a little nervous. When it was his turn to speak, he stepped to the podium and thanked God, his family, friends, teachers, teammates and coaches. He kept things short and to the point stating, “This will always be my home.”

There was no bragging, no talk of what he had done in sports or football. He sat at the table and put on his new UVa hat while signing documents in front of the crowd that included friends from other schools who had driven to Randolph-Henry to show their support. Again, there was no swapping hats or any of the things that have become customary for some high school athletes during events such as this.  There was just humble and thankful Joe.

UVa Coach Mendenhall said in his initial press conference that his goal was to attract not only great football players, but also great people to build the program around. With Joe Reed on board, it looks like he is off to a strong start and these two are already on the same page.