Already a top New York Jets cornerback, D.J. Reed embraces the blessing of being a dad
New York Jets cornerback D.J. Reed is one of the better and more underrated players in the NFL. He’s gotten accustomed to that role.
However, there is another role that is newer for him but even more all-consuming: being a dad.
Kinsley Nicole Reed is D.J.’s six-month-old daughter. She has her daddy “wrapped around her little fingers,” according to Jeane Coakley, the SNY reporter who talked to Reed about what Father’s Day means to him.
“It’s beautiful, man. It’s a blessing,” Reed said while looking at his daughter. “It’s like, I don’t know… I didn’t know I had this type of love to give to somebody.”
Reed’s wife, Brianna, stated, “He never gets mad at her. She can do no wrong in his eyes.” It appears the feeling is mutual: “She smiles. She puts her arms out like she’s reaching for him.”
She added, “But D.J.’s definitely more excited… he’s the kid.”
Reed often holds his daughter while watching film. He admits, “She likes watching it with me. I like to think she likes watching it.”
On the loss of his dad
In Week 1 of the 2022 season, Reed picked off Lamar Jackson near the end of the Jets’ 24-9 loss. He went out to the middle of the field, knelt, and raised the ball toward the heavens.
While some fans criticized the move as showboating for no good reason, there was certainly a meaning behind it: Reed’s father, Dennis Sr., had passed away before the game. He had battled with multiple sclerosis for 18 years.
One of the hardest things for Reed is that his dad never got to meet his daughter. Kinsley was born two months after Dennis passed away.
“Selfishly, I wanted for my dad to see Kinsley. But he’s able to see her,” Reed said. He continued to describe his dad as “funny” and “goofy” who would always try to find ways to be happy. Reed took that from his dad.
D.J. calls the love and laughter in his home “a dream come true” and “something I always wanted.” About his daughter, he says, “She definitely is Daddy’s girl.”
Here is the full video.
On this Father's Day, DJ Reed caught up with @JeaneCoakley to talk about what being a father means to him: https://t.co/gGhSyEYsxr
➡️ @Honda pic.twitter.com/RKIjHPZVvK
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) June 18, 2023
Happy Father’s Day to all dads!
