A 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) college football player for the Iowa Hawkeyes, Reichow was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round of the 1956 NFL draft.

[1] Reichow joined former teammate Norm Van Brocklin, who became the Minnesota Vikings first head coach where he was key to quarterback Fran Tarkenton’s success in 1961.

Known as “Old Reliable” and considered one of the team's toughest players,[citation needed] Reichow caught a combined 55 passes from his new position in 1963–64.

At the age of 31, and with the team stockpiling young receivers, Reichow's playing career ended when Van Brocklin cut him during the 1965 training camp and gave him a job scouting for the club.

[citation needed] The former wide receiver and tight end has served in a variety of personnel roles during his five decades with the franchise.