NFL Network Presents THE ROAD TO CANTON Tonight

By: Jul. 31, 2014
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Leading into the 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame weekend, NFL Network will televise two, one-hour long features on a pair of Canton's latest enshrinees.

'The Road to Canton' features former Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders punter Ray Guy and former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Andre Reed starting at 9:00 PM ET tonight, July 31.

The Road to Canton - The Specialist: Ray Guy - Thursday at 9:00 PM ET

Debuting Thursday, July 31 at 9:00 PM ET, The Road to Canton - The Specialist: Ray Guy chronicles the life of Ray Guy. The one-hour special features footage of Guy's undeniable talent as a punter, his collegiate career at the University of Southern Mississippi, and his proven game-changing ability in the NFL with the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders.

Before Guy was selected to seven Pro Bowls, he was unanimously selected as an All-American at the University of Southern Mississippi for his performance during his senior season. The former Thomson High school standout shares the reasons behind why he ultimately turned down the University of Alabama and legendary coach Bear Bryant.

Coming out of college, Guy was highest punter ever drafted, being selected 23rd overall in the 1973 NFL Draft.

Guy has been credited with changing the way punting was viewed in the game by bringing attention to the significance of hang time and directional punting. Raiders' teammates, along with former coaches John Madden and Tom Flores share their stories of Guy, including the time he hit the gondola (which hung approximately 90 feet above the field) in the Superdome during a Pro Bowl game.

The three-time Super Bowl champion solidified himself as the best punter in NFL history through his pinpoint accuracy and notable hang time while playing for the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders from 1973-1986.

The Specialist features interviews with the most impactful people in Ray Guy's life:

John Madden and Tom Flores - Raiders Head Coaches
Fred Biletnikoff, Jim Plunkett, Morris Bradshaw and Willie Brown - Raiders teammates
Larry and Al Guy - Ray's siblings
Ryan Guy - Ray's son
Bud Holmes - Ray's agent
Paul Leroy - Head Coach Thomson High School 1962-1967
Charles Hampton "Hamp" Cook - Former Southern Mississippi Assistant Coach
Johnny Herron and David Earl Johnson - Southern Mississippi Teammates

The Road to Canton - Middle Man: Andre Reed- Thursday at 10:00 PM ET

Debuting Thursday, July 31 at 10:00 PM ET, The Road to Canton - Middle Man: Andre Reed shares the life of Andre Reed. The one-hour special features footage of Andre Reed as a high school quarterback, his transition to becoming a speedy and reliable wide receiver at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, and his consistent play from the slot in the NFL.

Reed was referred to being too small to have an impact in playing football until his senior year of high school. During his senior season, the Allentown, Pennsylvania native became the starting quarterback at Deiruff High School. The future NFL fourth round draft pick was at one point a tremendous talent in the Division II Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.

Andre was regarded by his coaches and teammates for his work ethic and desire for excellence. He made his mark by going across the middle from the slot and turning short passes up field for major yardage after the catch.

Once solidified in the NFL, Reed contributed to a Buffalo Bills team that made four straight Super Bowl appearances with fellow Hall of Famers Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, James Lofton and Bruce Smith. Even though they could never capture a ring, these players formed a family bond that exists to this day.

Middle Man chronicles those experiences for Andre Reed and also shows the story of how and why he attributes his success in life and the NFL to the values taught to him by his father who battled alcoholism throughout his life.

Middle Man features interviews with special people from Andre Reed's life:

Marv Levy - Bills coach
Thurman Thomas, James Lofton, Bruce Smith, Cornelius Bennett, Steve Tasker and Frank Reich - Bills teammates
Joyce Reed Ebling - Mother
Tyrone, Teshia and Dion Reed - Siblings
Larry Lewis - High School Football Coach


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