By all accounts, former Michigan Wolverine and NFL wide receiver Braylon Edwards had a roller coaster football career. From not fitting in during his high school days at Detroit King and transferring, to becoming Michigan’s greatest wide receiver, but not quite living up to his potential in the NFL.
The 36-year-old discussed all of that and more in his new book titled, “Braylon Edwards: Doing It My Way: My Outspoken Life as a Michigan Wolverine”. Showcasing his trademark charisma and forthright approach, Edwards, with the help of ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren, used the book to tell his story in his own words. He explores his life through an honest and thoughtful lens, examining both the highs and lows of a polarizing career in sports and broadcasting.
Edwards held a book signing event for his new book in downtown Detroit at Fort Street Gallery, surrounded by family, friends, and former Michigan football teammates, emceed by his mother, Malesa Plater.
“This book has been years in the making,” said Edwards, who played 10 seasons in the NFL with four teams. “In this book, you get to find out who I am, as well as the struggles and joys I’ve gone through as a human being and professional athlete.”
After breaking all the major receiving records at Michigan from 2001-2004, Edwards was selected 3rd overall in the 2005 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. He had some productive seasons in Cleveland, catching 80 balls, for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns, and a Pro Bowl appearance in 2007. His production began to regress from there and was traded to the New York Jets in 2009, helping to two AFC Championship appearances.
From there, Edwards was only able to ink one-year deals with a number of teams, including with the Jets in 2012, who he last played with. His career was also marked by legal issues, which included traffic infractions, assault, and a DUI charge. But even with all his transgressions, Edwards insists that his book is not about “clearing the air” about his life on and off the football field.
“I don’t necessarily like to say this book is about clarity, rather telling my story the way I want it to be told,” he said. “Some things that have been said about me, I agree with, whether good or bad. And others, I don’t. I have been through a lot during my NFL career, but just as much before, after and off the field. My book gives dimension to that, as well as parallels to myself and other professional athletes.”
Highlights of Edwards’ book include what it meant and took to wear the famous No.1 jersey at Michigan, how he learned from his mistakes, with insights on his DUI, trouble with the media and the controversy surrounding his departure from the Big Ten Network, as well as behind the scenes at the biggest moments in Edwards’ career, including the 2004 comeback against MSU, the Draft Day call from the Browns, and the trade to the Jets.
“The first chapter is really great and reminded of the Keanu Reeves movie, “Speed,” when he gets on the bus five minutes into the movie and for the next thirty minutes, it was non-stop,” said Stan Edwards, Braylon’s father, who also played at Michigan and in the NFL. “He told so much stuff in this book, it could make the New York Times Best Sellers list.”
A number of Edwards’ former teammates at Michigan attended the book signing, including former Pittsburgh Steeler Lamar Woodley. There were also plenty of Michigan fans in attendance, dressed in Maize and Blue, waiting in line for Edwards to sign their book. It is available now for $29.95 and can be found at online at braylonedwards1.com, Amazon.com, and at Barnes and Noble.
“I drove all the way from Ann Arbor just to meet my favorite Michigan Wolverine and to support his book,” said UofM fan Bradley Ward, dressed in a blue Braylon Edwards jersey. “I attended Michigan when he was playing there, and I remember all the highs and lows. He’s a Michigan football great and I’m glad that he finally has the platform to hell his own life story.”
COVER PHOTO: Mark Grier
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