Marv Levy calls Frank Reich ‘the perfect guy’ to lead the Colts

Proud doesn’t do justice to describe the way Marv Levy feels about Frank Reich becoming the new coach of the Indianapolis Colts.

Levy, who coached the Buffalo Bills when Reich was the backup quarterback behind Jim Kelly, is absolutely ecstatic.

‘High character, great citizen, great family guy’

“A fantastic player, but teammate, leader, a guy that’s high character, great citizen, great family guy,” the 92-year-old Levy, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, told Jim Miller and Pat Kirwan on Movin’ The Chains. “And I followed his (coaching) career closely and stayed in touch with him. I saw him when he was the quarterback coach for the Colts with a young guy there named Peyton Manning. And then, later, with the San Diego Chargers with Philip Rivers and then the development of Carson Wentz in Philadelphia and when Carson went down, in stepped the backup, Nick Foles, who most people thought might have been career over. Frank brought him back.”

How good of a choice is Reich for the Colts, who turned to him after New England Patriots offensive coordinator backed out after agreeing to take the job?

‘He’ll work with everybody in the organization’

“He is the perfect guy,” Levy said. “He’ll work well with everybody in the organization. Jim Kelly, who Frank backed up during most of my time, well tell you (what he) told me once: ‘I never would have been the player or even the person that I was if it hadn’t been for my association with Frank.’ That’s the kind of guy he is. I’m thrilled.

“He’s blessed by being smart. He’s blessed by having a wonderful family around him and he’s blessed by getting reactions from players with whom he works. Frank studies. He doesn’t believe he knows it all. He’s not an egotist. He’s got a nice sense of humor, he’s pleasant to be with. He’s just a guy with so many of the qualities that I and countless people admire. It’s paying off now. I think the Colts, fortunately and wisely, have wound up with the right guy.”