Being versatile and adaptable always served Tip Reiman well on the football field, and he’d learn that off the field too when he moved from Rapid City and St. Thomas More to Sioux Falls and O’Gorman prior to his senior year in 2019.

“It’s one of those experiences that will put you through a mirror a little bit. But sometimes isolation is good, you get to know yourself a little better, get to know who you are when nothing is around and when you’re just up against a rock. Pinned against a rock, what’s your next move, you know what I mean? It was a really good experience all and all and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. And, to put a little cherry on top, it’s not the whole cake, but a little cherry on top was the season we had my senior year.” Reiman says.

Tip would help the Knights win the AA State Championship, and his college football career would take flight thanks to a family connection with an offensive coordinator in the Big Ten at the University of Illinois.

“My grandpa he was a realtor and he was realtor for (former Illinois offensive coordinator) Rod Smith and had a connection through there. Sent him my film and he was like ‘if he sucks he sucks, whatever’!” Tip says.

Reiman signed as a preferred walk-on with the Fighting Illini, and by this point was no stranger to going to a new place and working his way into a more prominent role.

“Huge sense of urgency. Huge drive. I believe no one can match it. How I work will continue to permeate through my career.” Reiman says.

Eventually earning a scholarship and earning Illinois’ starting tight end job, Tip hauled in 41 passes for 420 yards and five touchdowns, and was just as renowned for his athleticism, blocking, and physical brand of play.

Catching the attention of the Arizona Cardinals, who selected Reiman in the third round with the 82nd overall pick in the NFL Draft.

“There was always stepping stones and everything that needed to take place to get to here. This was always in the cards and, you can ask anyone from my childhood, this has always been the dream.” Reiman says.

Once again Tip will have to prove himself in a new place and he can’t wait to show the Cardinals, and kids back where he grew up, that it’s possible if you don’t put limits on what you can be.

“People from South Dakota, things aren’t really stumbled upon, you have to earn everything and I feel like I’m a good example of that. And I want other young kids from South Dakota to feel like ‘okay, I can do this’, but here’s what comes with it, here is what I have to do, here are the steps that I have to take and here are the sacrifices that I have to make.” Tip says.