Most people think of the Baltimore Ravens as a dominant defense, like Ray Lewis. However, Ed Reed is a close second. The all-pro safety is not just a hard-hitting ball hawk. He’s a true brother of the leaf.

Reed’s story begins in small-town Louisiana, where he starred in multiple sports. He has said that Michael Jordan was his first hero and a model for excellence. Seeing Jordan celebrating NBA championships with a cigar in hand also had an influence.

Reed is no stranger to the victory cigar. He led the University of Miami to a National Championship and would win the Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens. He started smoking in college, where he and roommate Reggie Wayne, another future NFL star, took the edge off with a cheap smoke. Reed would settle with a cigar and review game film during his final year as a Hurricane. Here’s a look at the man, whom many consider the best safety of all time, a man as dedicated to football as he is to cigars.

Ed Reed’s Beginnings

Not everyone from such humble beginnings ends up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Growing up near New Orleans, Reed was the second of five boys. When he saw he had a chance at the NFL, he buckled down, avoided trouble, and dedicated himself to football. While Lewis and his future NFL teammates on the Ravens were winning the Super Bowl, Reed was a two-time consensus All-American at “The U” and helped the Miami Hurricanes win the National Championship in 2001.

Ed Reed and the NFL

The Ravens drafted Reed in the first round in 2002. He quickly became a starter and began building a Hall of Fame career. Reed played eleven seasons with the Ravens collecting 64 interceptions; seven returned for touchdowns. Reed forced 11 fumbles and returned punts, but he still holds the record for the longest interception returns for a touchdown- 107 yards.

Reed was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the year in 2004, recording 62 tackles and nine interceptions. However, playing in the AFC against Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, getting to a Super Bowl proved difficult. After several great playoff runs, Reed and the Ravens finally achieved the ultimate goal, winning Super Bowl XLVII in 2013.

The game, sometimes called the “Har-bowl” (because it pitted coaching brothers Jim and John Harbaugh against each other), is also known as the “Blackout Bowl.” The Ravens held a healthy lead before a partial blackout delayed play for over half an hour. The 49ers mounted a comeback, led by Colin Kaepernick, but the Ravens held on to win. Reed had five tackles and an interception and finally had the chance to hoist the Lombardi trophy.

Reed retired in 2015 and became a Pro Football Hall of Famer in 2019, the first year he was eligible. Before taking the stage at the ceremony, Reed can be seen with a large cigar perched between his lips.

Cigar Life and Life After Football

Although he was named to the NFL 100 Greatest list and New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick has come right out and said it, Reed shies from the suggestion that he is the greatest safety ever. He insists that football is a team game. That is why he has always appreciated the camaraderie of being a cigar smoker.

Reed has come a long way since smoking economy cigars during his college days. He has cultivated his tastes over the years favoring Plasencias, and Fuentes Opus X. Long intrigued by the process of cigar-making, Reed started exploring the cigar world when planning life after football. He has visited several factories to get an in-depth look -from field to factory- at the cigar-making process. The fascination inspired him to start his line of cigars. The “ER” cigar line has been in the works for some time and will soon hit the market.

Reed is not just a football player. He has given back to the community since the early days of his playing career. He started the Ed Reed Foundation over 20 years ago to provide guidance to underprivileged youth in Baltimore and his hometown New Orleans.

Football is still a massive part of his life. Reed coached defensive backs for the Buffalo Bills in 2016 and served as the University of Miami’s football chief of staff from 2020-22. He made headlines when he was hired to coach Bethune-Cookman University’s football team. When the HBCU did not ratify his contract, Reed criticized the conditions at the school. He later apologized.

If Reed is anything, he is passionate about social justice, football, and cigars.

Photo credit: Cigar Life Guy

Professional wrestlers have demanding schedules on the road and hard. They must maintain consistent workout routines to stay in shape and perform physical acts in the ring. So, it’s no wonder professional wrestlers turn to cigars to unwind and relax during their downtime. After taking bumps in the ring, these five wrestlers enjoy an excellent stick outside the squared circle.

Vince McMahon

Chairperson and CEO of WWE, Vince McMahon, is notorious for hating people that smell cigarette smoke. So, it’s a little surprising to see him on the cover of the 1999 November-December issue of Cigar Aficionado. In the issue, he says his interest in cigars started when he saw Dr. Jerry Graham as a kid. He also mentions smoking Davidoff Double R. “That’s about all I smoke,” McMahon reportedly says. McMahon was born to Capitol Wrestling Corporation promoter Vincent J. McMahon, but he didn’t meet his father until age 12.

His first appearance in professional wrestling was in Worldwide Wrestling Federation’s All-Star Wrestling when he served as an in-ring announcer. He continued working with McMahon Sr. until 1982 when he took over for his sick father. A few years later, McMahon came up with WrestleMania in New York’s Madison Square Garden. The annual event brings in millions of views from around the world. After that, McMahon had few competitors on television. Eventually, he acquired the two most prominent rival organizations: World Championship Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling. Today, he remains involved with WWE — often running the show from behind the curtain.

John Cena

John Cena is a 16-time world champion in WWE. Besides enjoying the spotlight, he also enjoys cigars. 

One of Cena’s top taunts is when he waves his hand in front of his face, saying, “You can’t see me!” but gives a small tour of his “gentlemen’s room” for muscleandfitness.com. He makes it clear it’s not a man cave. Besides wrestling, the former “Doctor of Thuganomics” can be seen in the DC Comics movie adaptation of The Suicide Squad as Peacemaker with a rumored spinoff in the mix. As far as specifics on which cigars Cena enjoys, details are sparse. He declines to comment on his favorites (maybe he’s holding out for an endorsement deal?).

Cody Rhodes

Professional wrestler Cody Rhodes is the son of the renowned “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes. He’s also the half-brother of Dustin Runnels, AKA Goldust. Cody Rhodes has held 14 championships in several wrestling promotions, including WWE, and served as executive vice president of All Elite Wrestling. In 2018, he teamed up with fellow AEW professional wrestlers Frankie Kazarian and Sam Leccia of Leccia Tobacco to start his cigar brand, American Rebel Cigars.

Jesse “The Body” Ventura

Former governor of Minnesota Jesse Ventura first started his career as a professional wrestler in 1975 after his service in the Navy. He received the ring name Jesse “The Body” Ventura from AWA wrestler Verne Gagne. Ventura performed in the square circle using the gimmick of a California beach-bod weight lifter as a heel (a “bad guy” that would often rile up the crowd). Throughout his career, he would go up against other professional wrestlers, Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka and “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan, before moving on to ringside commentary.

Aside from wrestling, Ventura was also in the movie “Predator” with the former governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, another famous cigar smoker who became close friends. In the political ring, he was mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, from 1991 to 1995, and he won the gubernatorial race in 1999, becoming the 38th governor of Minnesota until 2003. In July-August 2000 piece he wrote for Cigar Aficionado, he mentions Cuban cigars as his favorite smoke. He was allegedly sent a box of Cuban Romeo y Julieta cigars from Jeb Bush after a governor’s meeting at the White House.

Terri Runnels

In the professional wrestling industry, Terri Runnels is known for her managerial or valet expertise more than as an in-ring competitor. Yet, she held the title of WWE Hardcore Champion for about 10 seconds before losing it to Stevie Richards. She started doing makeup for Jim Crockett Promotions in the wrestling business before Ted Turner acquired it and rebranded it to WCW.

When Runnels made her debut, she was known as Alexandra York, manager of the York Foundation. Yet, when she moved to WWE, she wanted to combine her real-life love of cigars with her wrestling manager persona. So, Runnels rebranded herself as Marlena, a cigar-smoking seductress. She based her new persona on a former Hollywood actress, Marlene Dietrich.

Runnels also managed her then-husband Dustin “Goldust” Runnels and would approach the ring with a lit cigar. In one interview, she says she would smoke Rocky Patel cigars at the ringside. Still, she also loves Padron, Davidoff, and Avo. After leaving the ring, Runnels also hosted her podcast “Cigars, Scars, and Superstars.”

Photo credit: “Vince McMahon (Dec 2008),” by Sgt. DaleAnne Maxwell (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Army), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Alex Rodriguez was consistently one of the best shortstops and third basemen throughout his 22-year baseball career. Today, though, A-Rod is known as more of a businessman than an athlete. He has been one of the most controversial figures in baseball. Part of that was from his involvement in a performance-enhancing drug scandal. Yet, some of it was due to him having some of the highest-recorded salary numbers in baseball history. When he’s not striking deals or appearing as a regular on any number of T.V. shows nowadays, A-Rod enjoys cigars. According to him, he became a cigar lover who enjoys a good smoke after playing a round of golf with Michael Jordan.

A Kid From Miami Hits the Big Time

He intended to attend college and play football as a quarterback. Yet, by the time he was 17, young Rodriguez was already being shopped around by some top teams in the business. Then, a last-minute offer by the Seattle Mariners made him change his mind about attending the University of Miami to play football. So instead, Rodriguez headed off to Washington.

As the number one overall pick in the 1993 draft, the Mariners and critics had high hopes for Rodriguez. Instead, he would spend his first two years outperforming most of his peers in the minor leagues. Then he would take over as the Mariner’s full-time shortstop in ’96.

In Rodriguez’s first year out, he set or tied multiple records, including becoming the youngest shortstop to play in an All-Star game.

It would be the start of his rise as one of the youngest stars in the game.

A Cigar Lover is Born

By the 2000 season, Rodriguez was Seattle’s face of the franchise. He later led them to the American League Championship Series, where they ultimately lost to the New York Yankees. Yet, by this point, Rodriguez’s stock was already rising.

During this time, he recalled falling in love with cigars thanks to a Hoyo de Monterrey Double Carona given to him by Michael Jordan. Rodriguez even remarked about the trouble finding more of them later.

From then, Rodriguez enjoyed a smoke any time he could. The newly found cigar lover would even smoke while lounging by the pool when everyone else was asleep.

He spent the next few seasons with the Texas Rangers. He signed one of the most lucrative contracts in baseball history at $252 million. This contract led Rodriguez to a dose of significant criticism. Critics considered the amount of money spent on him too much when other team areas, namely pitching, were suffering.

Rodriguez spent only three years with the Rangers. Then, he was optioned off to the Yankees in 2004 in a last-minute trade arrangement.

Becoming a Yankee with Controversy

A-Rod would spend the bulk of his career with the Yankees. He also switched from playing shortstop to playing third base. This change was primarily due to baseball great Derek Jeter already holding that position.

During his first season as a Yankee, Rodriguez was already drawing attention. During the 2004 American League Championship Series, he purposely swatted away the glove of an opposing player; This resulted in an interference call and a nullified run from Derek Jeter. Unfortunately, it also led the team to lose and get knocked out of the series.

His next round of controversy came in 2007. He opted out of renewing his contract with the Yankees on the advice of his manager. That was after he had already stated he would stay with the team for the rest of his career.

Though, Rodriguez went on to win the World Series in 2009 with the Yankees. But that was before being caught up in yet another scandal. This time, it was with performance-enhancing drugs, and Rodriguez tested positive for use. After his subsequent suspension and return, Rodriguez’s career looked much different than in prior years. So, he retired in 2016.

Modern Entrepreneur and Cigar Lover

Outside of baseball, Rodriguez has become an outspoken businessman and baseball analyst known for his direct but down-to-earth style.

He is the owner and founder of A-Rod Corp. This holding company now owns dozens of products and Rodriguez’s investments in endeavors. One of these personal endeavors included Rodriguez’s attempt to buy the New York Mets in 2019.

You’ll find Rodriguez behind the commentator’s desk for networks like Fox Sports and ESPN when he’s not running multiple businesses or doing charity work. He often lights up a cigar in the commentator’s booth before or after a game to relax.

Besides his career as a sports analyst, Rodriguez also appears on shows like Shark Tank and Good Morning America as a special contributor.

When he’s not busy, Rodriguez enjoys playing golf and smoking great cigars, a trait he shares with his fiance and business partner, Jennifer Lopez. So whether you think he’s one of the greatest to play the game or overpaid and overrated, you’ll likely see more of A-Rod in the future.

Photo credit: “A-Rod Makes Contact,” by Googie Man, Wikimedia Commons license CC BY-SA 3.0.

You probably know Charles Barkley best for his days on the court with one of several teams. Or, perhaps you’re more familiar with him behind a desk commentating on basketball games. Yet, you might not know that he’s as big a fan of cigars as basketball. That’s right. The former 76er and often infamously outspoken Sir Charles is a lover of fine cigars. But, of course, he’s in good company, too, with fellow NBA stars like Michael Jordan and Lebron James.

Charles Barkley: The Early Years

 Before charging across the court like a man half his size, Barkley was just a kid from Leeds, Alabama. After a tumultuous childhood, Barkley would pay to play basketball at the local recreation center. But unfortunately, he was too small and uncoordinated to make his high school’s varsity team.

As luck had it, the summer after his junior year, Barkley grew six inches, stood 6’ 4”, and weighed over 200 lbs. The high school basketball coach immediately granted him a spot on the team. From there, he went on to attend Auburn University in Alabama.

At Auburn University, he developed his skills and led the SEC in rebounds each year while earning nicknames. Some called him The Round Mound of Rebound or The Crisco Kid for his issues with his weight. Since then, he has become one of the most athletic big men in the NBA, but Barkley didn’t stop there.

The Philadelphia 76ers later drafted him as the fifth pick in the 1984 draft. Here is where Barkley gained widespread notoriety and fame.

Barkley’s Brash and Outspoken Personality

Today, Charles Barkley is known for his lighthearted jabs and off-the-cuff remarks. That’s especially true for fellow NBA star Shaquille O’Neal. When Barkley began his career, however, the story was different. Back then, he became known for a particularly aggressive play style that often resulted in contact with opposing players; This included several on-court brawls, one of which landed him a record-setting fine in 1990.

Barkley’s most significant incident involved a fan hurling insults and racial slurs at him. When Barkley caught wind of the offenses, he spat at the fan and inadvertently hit a little girl. He received a fine and suspension for his action. Barkley later made amends with the girl and her family. He also credited the incident for teaching him to play the game correctly and with more respect.

Despite all his negative publicity, Barkley played for the United States twice in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics. He received gold medals both times. Barkley is also a two-time Hall of Fame inductee. One of his inductions was for recognition as an individual player. The other induction was from when he played on the “Dream Team” during his time in the Olympics.

Charles Barkley and the Cigar Lifestyle

Throughout his basketball career, Barkley won many awards. He also played successfully for two other teams: the Phoenix Suns and the Houston Rockets. His retirement in 2000 slowed the multi-time All-Star down. Although, he continues philanthropic work and has become a role model to kids across the country.

In his downtime, Barkley likes two things, in particular: golf and cigars. He often smokes three to four cigars a day. When he “decides to light up,” you’ll find him puffing away on a Cuban Churchill while teeing up for a swing.

Barkley claims he began smoking after watching his former rival and friend, Michael Jordan puffing away every time they met. From there, Barkley tried his first cigar and liked it. After that, Jordan became his cigar teacher and had him smoking lower-tier cigars until Barkley moved up to the Cubans he favors today.

If asked about it, Barkley says that he learned two from Jordan. First, the process of smoking a cigar is to learn to enjoy the smoke itself. Second, “always have two humidors,” one for smokers who know what they’re doing and one for those who don’t. This philosophy taught Barkley to enjoy his cigar lifestyle as a way to relax and unwind rather than smoke for the sake of smoking.

Barkley reportedly possesses four humidors and is a collector and smoker. He favors Cuban cigars like the Churchills he often smokes. Yet, he also likes hand-crafted Padron Cigars. Barkley is fond of the idea of treating cigars well. He always stores his premium cigars properly and enjoys each one.

Barkley is Still Making Waves

Since his retirement, Barkley has done a good deal of civic work. He mentors kids and speaks on behalf of the National Basketball Players Association. Yet, he also does endorsements for products and other promotions.

Today, you’ll still find Barkley as a color commentator for the TNT network’s coverage of basketball games. He also continues to enjoy making light of his former teammates and fellow players regularly. So undoubtedly, everyone will see plenty more of this former kid from Leeds, Alabama.

Photo Credit: “Charles Barkley at 2019 NBA Finals,” by Chensiyuan, Wikimedia Commons license CC BY-SA 4.0.