The Bills legend understood the assignment and capitalized on Coleman’s popularity in a surprise appearance at the league’s Rookie Premier.
Rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman has been a media gem in his first month as a member of the Buffalo Bills. Having just turned 21 this week, for his birthday, Hall of Fame legend Andre Reed kept the fun rolling when he surprised Coleman at the league’s Rookie Premier in Los Angeles.
Bills legend Andre Reed surprised Keon Coleman for his birthday at #RookiePremiere with a very special welcome to #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/cuO44cZfVk
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) May 18, 2024
Coleman reached out to Reed earlier this month, saying that it was important to him to learn from some of the game’s legends — even more so, one who spent his career playing for the team that drafted him as their first overall pick in Round 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Keon Coleman spoke with Bills Hall of Famer Andre Reed, a guy who finished playing before Coleman was alive.
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) May 13, 2024
"I wasn't born when Jordan was playing but I still know who he is. ... You have to know about the guys that came before you." pic.twitter.com/rvZ3got5Aa
Reed understood the assignment of welcoming the rookie to the league and showed up wearing a yellow parka and offering Coleman cookies — both of which were references to the new Bills’ wide receiver’s first media day in Orchard Park, NY.
Cookie monster @keoncoleman6. #NFLDraft | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/ABXpKAjWo0
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) April 27, 2024
Reed also welcomed the rookie to Bills Mafia by presenting him with a chain necklace containing a plastic chicken wing. Coleman, being the character he is, first checked to see if it was a real chicken wing, and then told his Hall of Fame mentor that if he put the necklace on, he was keeping it.
One fan favorite welcoming another. A legendary gold jacket owner wearing a now legendary yellow jacket. Two media sensations joining forces. The Bills’ all-time receiver guiding the newest addition to the wide receiver room in hopes that maybe a return to the Super Bowl is in the near future. Could there be a better birthday present?
Happy Birthday, Keon — welcome to Bills Mafia!