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Jerry Reese grew up in the small northwest Tennessee town of Tiptonville, about one hour from the University of Tennessee at Martin campus.
Reese played for UT Martin from 1981-84, earning All-Gulf South honors twice (UTM would not join the Ohio Valley Conference until 1992). He earned his bachelor's degree in health and physical education and his master's in education administration and supervision.
Following his playing days, Reese stayed with the program as a student coach, graduate assistant and full-time coach. He was named assistant head coach in 1993. The following year he would join the New York Giants organization, working as a scout, then Director of Player Personnel (2004-07) and eventally the General Manager (2007-17).
At the time of his hiring, Reese was just the third African-American general manager in NFL history (joining Baltimore’s Ozzie Newsome and Houston’s Rick Smith). He would lead the Giants to victories in Super Bowls XLII and XLVI, making him the first African-American GM to win a Super Bowl.
The Giants Super Bowl victories included a 17-14 victory over previously undefeated New England in February 2008 and four years later a 21-17 win once again over the Patriots. During his tenure the Giants won two NFC East championships, earned three postseason berths and finished .500 or better in six consecutive seasons.
During his stint as the Giants’ Director of Player Personnel, Reese oversaw all aspects of the team’s college scouting, which included New York landing franchise quarterback Eli Manning.
At UT Martin, Reese ranked among the leaders on UT Martin’s all-time career list in interceptions. Reese led the team with seven interceptions in 1982 and was UT Martin's leading tackler in 1984 with 99.
In the fall of 1995, Reese was inducted into the UT Martin Hall of Fame, and in 2008, Reese was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.