Braylon Edwards facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Braylon Edwards

Edwards with the New York Jets in 2009
No. 17
Position:	Wide receiver
Personal information
Born:	(1983-02-21) February 21, 1983 (age 42) Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	214 lb (97 kg)
Career information
High school:	Bishop Gallagher (Harper Woods, Michigan)
College:	Michigan (2001–2004)
NFL Draft:	2005 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3
Career history
Cleveland Browns (2005) New York Jets (2009) San Francisco 49ers (2011) Seattle Seahawks (2012) New York Jets (2012)
Career highlights and awards
Second-team All-Pro (2007) Pro Bowl (2007) Biletnikoff Award (2004) Paul Warfield Trophy (2004) Unanimous All-American (2004) Big Ten Most Valuable Player (2004) Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (2004) 2× First-team All-Big Ten (2003, 2004) Second-team All-Big Ten (2002)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 359 Receiving yards: 5,522 Receiving touchdowns: 40
Player stats at PFR

Braylon Jamel Edwards (born February 21, 1983) is a former professional football player. He played as a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). Before joining the NFL, he was an amazing college player for the Michigan Wolverines. He won the Biletnikoff Award in 2004, which goes to the best wide receiver in the country.

Edwards holds the all-time records for the University of Michigan in catches, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. He was also the first wide receiver in Big Ten Conference history to have three straight seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards. The Cleveland Browns picked him third overall in the 2005 NFL draft. He also played for the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks.

Early Life and High School Football

Braylon Edwards was born in Detroit, Michigan. He played high school football at Bishop Gallagher High School. During his three years there, he played many different positions. He caught 63 passes for 740 yards and scored eight touchdowns.

College Career at Michigan

Edwards went to the University of Michigan, just like his father, Stan Edwards. He played for the Michigan Wolverines football team from 2001 to 2004.

Setting Records at Michigan

During his senior year in 2004, Braylon set new Michigan records. He had 97 catches and 1,330 receiving yards in one season. For his whole college career, he set records with 252 catches, 3,541 yards, and 39 touchdowns. This was also a Big Ten record. He also had 17 games where he gained 100 or more receiving yards, which was another Michigan record.

Edwards at the 2005 Rose Bowl

After his senior season, he won the Fred Biletnikoff Award. This award goes to the best wide receiver in college football. He was also named the Big Ten Conference's most valuable player. Experts across the country recognized him as a top college player.

Edwards is the only wide receiver in Big Ten history to gain over 1,000 receiving yards for three years in a row. He ended his college career by catching three touchdown passes in the 2005 Rose Bowl. This tied the Rose Bowl record for touchdowns in a single game.

College Statistics

Track and Field Achievements

Braylon Edwards also competed in track and field at Michigan. His indoor 200-meter time of 21.81 seconds was one of the fastest in school history. He also ran the 60-meter and 100-meter dashes. In 2003, he placed third in the high jump at the Meyo Invitational. His personal best jump was 2.11 meters (about 6 feet, 11 inches).

Personal Bests in Track

Professional Football Career

Braylon Edwards was chosen by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft. He was the third player picked overall.

Time with the Cleveland Browns

Edwards in Browns 2008 training camp.

Edwards started his first season as the Browns' third wide receiver. He missed some training camp because of a contract hold-out. Early in the season, he had a staph infection and missed a few weeks. By the middle of the season, he became a starting player. He played his first NFL game on September 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals. He caught his first NFL touchdown on September 18 against the Green Bay Packers. He finished his rookie season with 512 receiving yards and three touchdowns before a knee injury ended his year.

In 2006, Edwards had a successful recovery from his surgery. He became the Browns' top receiver after another player got injured. That season, he caught 61 passes for 884 yards and six touchdowns.

Edwards had a fantastic season in 2007. He was chosen for his first Pro Bowl, which is a special game for the best players in the league. He broke Browns team records for receiving yards (1,289) and receiving touchdowns (16). His 16 touchdowns were the second-highest in the entire league that year.

In 2008, Edwards and the Browns faced a tough season. Braylon led the NFL in dropped passes with 23. He only caught three touchdown passes that year.

Playing for the New York Jets

Edwards celebrating a touchdown with teammate Damien Woody

On October 7, 2009, Edwards was traded to the New York Jets. He said he needed a "fresh start" with a new team. In 12 games for the Jets, he had 35 catches for 541 yards and four touchdowns. He got his first chance to play in the NFL playoffs that year. In the AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts, Braylon caught an 80-yard touchdown pass. He finished that game with 2 catches for 100 yards and a touchdown. The Jets lost the game 30–17.

Edwards stayed with the New York Jets in 2010. He caught 53 passes for 904 yards and 7 touchdowns that season.

Edwards visiting Marines in 2009.

Short Stints with Other Teams

On August 4, 2011, Edwards signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers. He started five games for them. He was released by the 49ers in December.

On July 31, 2012, Edwards signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks. He was released by the Seahawks in December.

Edwards was then picked up by the Jets again on December 11, 2012. He signed another one-year deal with the Jets for the 2013 season but was released before it started.

NFL Career Statistics

Helping Others: Philanthropy

In 2007, Braylon Edwards made a big promise to 100 high school students in Cleveland. He said that if they kept their grades up (2.5 GPA or higher) and did 15 hours of community service, he would pay for their college tuition. This offer was worth about $1 million.

On May 25, 2011, it was reported that Edwards kept his promise. The scholarships were worth $10,000 each. He actually helped 101 students, making the total amount over $1 million. This program was called the "ADVANCE 100 Program." It was an educational effort started by the Braylon Edwards Foundation in May 2007.

Life After Football

After retiring from football, Edwards started working as a television analyst. He joined the Big Ten Network in the summer of 2017. He now works at the Woodward Sports Network.

Edwards will be honored for his amazing high school and college football career in Michigan. He will be added to the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame on October 17, 2024.

See also

• Lists of Michigan Wolverines football receiving leaders