Time to Distance Ourselves from Braylon Edwards

Submitted by Mercury Hayes on

There was a time, where I was as big of a Braylon Edwards fan as anyone else, but since he has left UM he has done very little to be a pillar of the community or role model for the University and football team. Instead, his actions reflect poorly on the team. This weekend, his negative Tweets about the specific performance of certain players - and telling other players to get off social media put me over the edge.

Here's a recap of what Braylon has done since leaving UM:

  • 2006-2008 defies Browns coaches, has sideline tirade before being traded to Jets
  • 2008 Gets drunk with Donte Stalworth, lets Stalworth drive home from Miami nightcliub - that was the night Stalworth struck and killed a pedestrian
  • 2008 caught and ticketed for driving 120 MPH (passenger at the time was covered in vomit)
  • 2009, punches a friend of LeBron James at a nightclub
  • 2010, received a DUI and blew a .16
  • 2011 started nightclub fight at South in Birmingham, MI. Stabbed a bus boy.
  • May 2015, arrested for extreme DUI in Scottsdale
  • 2013-2017 complains publicly about Michigan's use of the No. 1 jersey, not signing his brother and most recently trashing players on Twitter
  • Additionally, it is alleged he was fired from 97.1 the Ticket recently for showing up to work drunk. 

Braylon clearly has some alcohol issues. This is a sad thing for someone who was once on top of the world and had never realized his NFL talent. But, that's on him to get his personal problems fixed before telling the Michigan programs and players to do. He makes the entire team and fan base look bad. I'm sick of hearing about his hot takes, I'm sick of hearing him on the radio (hopefully I won't again). I 

I realize this thread does more to bring his name and actions to light, but my only purpose is this: next time he goes on Twitter and starts bashing our struggling players I encourage the MgoBlog community to tell him he's wrong, much like myself and others did this weekend. While I share frustration about certain players this season, there is a big difference between me yelling at my TV and going on the Internet to complain on Twitter. End rant.

 

bronxblue

November 20th, 2017 at 12:04 PM ^

I don't think people telling him on Twitter to not call out college athletes that play for his alma mater is a call to ignore cries for help.

Personally, I've had issues with Edwards for years, stemming from drunk driving incidents while he was with the Jets (I forgot he also got into a fight with LeBron James's entourage while in Cleveland).  He probably needs to get some help for anger/alcohol issues.  But I don't see why telling him he's being an asshole online is out of bounds because he used to play at Michigan and may also have other issues. 

Goggles Paisano

November 20th, 2017 at 1:35 PM ^

I have a theory on my he ripped JOK on that tweet.  That kind of anger filled comment often comes after losing a bet.  I would guess that Braylon lost a few bucks or more than a few bucks taking Michigan +7 1/2.  JOK came in while down 14-10 (still covering) and couldn't lead them down the field for that last TD to cover the spread.  

I only say this as I spent many years around that "industry" many many years ago and learned quite a bit about sports betting and the character of people that lose money betting on sports.  

evenyoubrutus

November 20th, 2017 at 1:23 PM ^

No, the dick move would be enabling an alcoholic by constantly making excuses for him. He can get help. Obviously he hasn't and if he loses relationships from it, including those with fans and his alma mater, it's on him. I've seen a family torn apart by this because everybody constantly made excuses for the abusive alcoholic.

Yessir

November 20th, 2017 at 6:24 PM ^

What comes first? The ahole or the acohol. 

Seems alcohol intensifies asshole behavior.

People stop drinking and often times turns into a great person and people blame the alcohol.  When actually stopping alcohol coincided with someone taking a real hard look at himself and wanted to change.  

Magnus

November 20th, 2017 at 2:32 PM ^

I will never understand why so many people make excuses for others who have alcohol problems, drug problems, etc. Nobody forced alcohol down his throat or forced him to get behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated or forced him to get in a fight.

People make choices, and there are repercussions - good and bad - for all of our choices.

JamesBondHerpesMeds

November 20th, 2017 at 4:58 PM ^

My dad was an alcoholic, and he said one of the greatest motivators for him to go sober was that others didn't make excuses for him anymore.

However, we were present and empathetic througout his recovery and sobriety once he made an impassioned effort to change. And we still are. But he had to come clean with his mistakes first.

He's been sober for twelve years now.

IndyBlue

November 20th, 2017 at 3:27 PM ^

Tore his ACL playing for the Colts and hand numerous ankle injuries.  His numbers in 2010 weren't too bad (4.5 per carry on limited action) before he was cut.  Also as noted, a good pass blocker.

schreibee

November 20th, 2017 at 12:47 PM ^

As always, you take the dumbest, most negative stance possible in a post Bando.

HOW did your opinion of Mike's NFL talent/prospects bear in any way on his coaching/mentoring skills?

Just curious how a person gets to be the type to knee-jerk a negative putdown of an exemplary Michigan Man into a thread about one who's less than that?

Bando Calrissian

November 20th, 2017 at 1:35 PM ^

I mean, it's just being realistic. I loved Mike Hart as a player, he's a great guy, but saying "he quit the NFL to become a coach" really isn't being completely accurate. He struggled to break through as an NFL player for a number of reasons, and was never going to make a roster as a full-time player. He pretty much bounced on and off the practice squad for a few years, got more than a few shots, got a couple snaps in a Super Bowl, and realized that was going to be it. That's actually a pretty good, and a very typical NFL career.

Most guys like him with size/speed/injury issues, at that exact point in their football life, get that sit-down with the GM for the "I think you should probably start thinking about life after football--you'd make a great coach, let's think about that" speech (See: at least one scene in Hard Knocks every year). And he made the right decision, which from all we know about him as a guy and as a football player, was pretty predictable. This guy is made to be around football players.

In other words, Mike Hart does what Braylon should do, which is find the best spot for himself, surrounded by all the right people, so he can move forward using his gifts and talents in a different way, instead of spending his entire life trying to remind people about that one time he was a football star. Braylon's that guy in a letter jacket 15 years after he retired, while Hart is out there actually doing the work.

Is that good enough for you?

Mr Miggle

November 20th, 2017 at 2:07 PM ^

that Mike Hart did quit the NFL to becone a coach? It sure seems that way to me, but somehow you are arguing with someone else who said it..

No one was saying he gave up a great NFL playing career or that he was a star in the league with great prospects. But he could have kept trying to play. If not in the NFL, maybe somewhere else. He chose to become a coach instead.

guthrie

November 20th, 2017 at 1:15 PM ^

Maybe he needs help?  He quite obviously needs help.  And you know who's the only person out of 7 billion on the planet capable of getting him that help?  Braylon Edwards.

 

He could have gotten help after his first alcohol related problem.  Or second.  Or third.  Or fourth.  I don't want to hear about how now he needs help.  He's had numerous chances to get help.  He doesn't get a pass for being a dick just because he still needs help and hasn't gotten any.

lilpenny1316

November 20th, 2017 at 3:08 PM ^

And if you're going to use it, at least use the scripture properly. 

Braylon is known to be guilty about a lot of the stuff OP mentioned...not a lot of hearsay or opinion.  The story you reference is about a woman who was accused of doing something with no proof (Where was the guy she allegedly committed adultery with?).  And also, the woman was told to "go and sin no more."  Braylon has been repeating some childish, sadly alcohol induced behavior.

I hope he gets help, because I don't want to see his name involved with a tragedy.  But he needs to grow up.  He's 34.  He needs to start acting like it.

 

FranklinHatchett

November 20th, 2017 at 12:18 PM ^

Dante is a grown man. You can try to stop a friend, but at some point people are gonna do what they want. was he suppose to fight him to stop him from driving? Then u crap on him and say he got arrested for assault. You weren't there that night so you have no idea what you are talking about.

Qmatic

November 20th, 2017 at 12:05 PM ^

I think I am at a pretty good distacne away from Braylon. And no, I will not distance myself from the most successful 3 year stretch this millenium from Michigan Football

billybrown

November 20th, 2017 at 1:56 PM ^

Where did anyone once say not to enjoy those seasons???? Jesus Christ get some reading comprehension. Braylon has not been a good citizen since leaving u of m and it's ok for people to distance themselves. Says nothing about those seasons or the team's successes during that era. Man this board has gone downhill.

Wolverine Devotee

November 20th, 2017 at 12:06 PM ^

Fact is is we'd be throwing stones like crazy if he didn't play here and instead a rival.

I'm not gonna kiss someone's ass because they played football here. He's an embarrassment.