It is arguably the most famous piece of B-roll in NFL history. Every time the Kansas City Chiefs play a primetime game, there's a 90% chance a producer is in the truck ready to cue it up. You know the one. A massive, towering 13-year-old in a full Los Angeles Rams uniform stands next to a line of kids who look like they belong in a completely different species.
That boy was Andy Reid.
The Andy Reid punt pass kick video has become a piece of football folklore. It's funny, sure. But honestly, it's also a weirdly perfect origin story for a man who would go on to become one of the greatest offensive minds the game has ever seen. People usually just laugh at the size difference and move on, but there’s actually a lot more to the story than just "big kid throws ball far."
The Night a Legend Was Born (Sort Of)
The date was December 13, 1971. The setting? The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. It was a Monday Night Football matchup between the Rams and the Washington Redskins.
Back then, the Punt, Pass & Kick (PP&K) competition was a massive deal. It wasn’t just a local park thing; it was a national tournament sponsored by Ford and the NFL. To get to the Coliseum, you had to win your local and regional rounds. Andy Reid didn’t just wander onto that field because he was big—he was actually good.
When the cameras caught him, he was 13. He stood roughly 6’2” and weighed around 220 pounds. For context, that’s basically the size of a modern-day NFL safety or linebacker.
He looked like a grown man.
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The Jersey Situation
One of the best details about that night involves the uniform. Usually, the PP&K kids got these little youth-sized jerseys.
They didn't fit Andy.
Not even close.
The organizers had a problem. They couldn't have him out there in a T-shirt while everyone else was in Rams gear. So, they did the only logical thing: they went into the Rams' actual locker room. They pulled out a jersey belonging to Les Josephson, the Rams' Pro Bowl running back. Josephson was listed at 6'1" and 207 pounds.
Basically, 13-year-old Andy Reid was too big for kid clothes and barely fit into the gear of a professional NFL starter. That’s why he looks so "official" in the clip. He was wearing the real deal.
Why the Kids Behind Him Looked Like Hobbits
If you watch the footage closely, the kids lined up behind Andy look like they’re about five years old. This is where a lot of people get confused. They assume Andy was competing against them.
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He wasn't.
The PP&K competition was grouped by age. Andy was in the oldest bracket (13-year-olds). The reason those other kids look so tiny is that the broadcast showed the participants from different age groups all lined up together. Andy told Jon Gruden in an old Monday Night Football interview that the kid directly behind him was actually 8 years old.
Imagine being an 8-year-old and having to follow a guy who literally has a mustache and a 40-yard vertical passing range. It’s terrifying.
Did He Actually Win?
You’d think a kid that size would just steamroll the competition. But interestingly enough, Andy Reid didn’t win the national title that year. He won his region to get to the Coliseum, which is an incredible feat, but the national PP&K champions from 1971 include names like Mike Gminski (who became an NBA star).
The competition wasn't just about raw power. It was about accuracy.
In PP&K, you'd lose points for how far your ball landed from the center line. If you boomed a 50-yard punt but it went 20 yards out of bounds, your score was basically junk. Reid had the "boom," but even at 13, he was probably already thinking more about the scheme than the kick.
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The Los Feliz "Big Man on Campus"
Reid grew up in the Los Feliz neighborhood of LA. Even as a kid, he was known as a "gentle giant." His friends from Thomas Starr King Junior High and John Marshall High School remember him as a guy who didn't use his size to bully people.
Instead, he was a peacekeeper.
He was actually part of a school group called B.M.O.C.—Big Men on Campus. Their job was to patrol the hallways and break up fights. It’s kinda funny when you think about it. The guy currently known for being the most laid-back, "cheeseburger-loving" coach in the league was literally a 13-year-old bouncer.
His Skill Set at 13
- The Pass: He could reportedly chuck the ball 40 to 50 yards easily.
- The Kick: He used the old-school "straight-on" toe-kick method. None of that soccer-style stuff.
- The Demeanor: Cool, calm, and clearly comfortable in front of 70,000 people at the Coliseum.
Why the Video Still Matters in 2026
We live in an era of hyper-specialized youth sports. Every 13-year-old with a decent arm has a private QB coach and a TikTok highlight reel. The Andy Reid punt pass kick clip is a reminder of a different time. It was a time when a big kid from Hollywood could just go out, put on a pro’s jersey, and blast a football during halftime of a Monday night game.
But it also shows the longevity of Big Red. Most people who were on that field in 1971 are long gone from the NFL spotlight. Reid is still right in the middle of it.
The clip isn't just a meme; it’s proof that Andy Reid has been a fixture of the NFL for over 50 years. He was a "pro" before he was even a high schooler.
Actionable Takeaways for Football Fans
If you're a fan of the history of the game or just a Chiefs supporter, here is how you can actually use this bit of trivia:
- Watch the full clip with context: Next time it airs, look for the #34 on his jersey. That’s Les Josephson’s number. Knowing he’s wearing a Pro Bowler's jersey makes the scale of his size even crazier.
- Understand the PP&K scoring: If you ever play a game of "Punt, Pass, and Kick" with friends, remember that it’s a game of "Total Distance minus Deviation." Power is nothing without control—a lesson Reid clearly learned as he transitioned into coaching.
- Appreciate the LA connection: Reid is often associated with Philly or KC, but his roots are pure Southern California. He was a water boy for John Marshall High and a vendor at Dodger Stadium. His "cool" demeanor comes from those West Coast roots.
Andy Reid hasn't changed much. He's still the biggest guy in the room, he's still obsessed with the details of the game, and he's still making us watch him on Monday nights. Only now, instead of wearing Les Josephson's jersey, he's the one handing them out to Super Bowl champions.