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.

 

MGoBoard
Football
football
braylon
JOK

crom80

November 20th, 2017 at 2:41 PM ^

sorry, i was not very clear with my explainantion of what i was trying to get at.

i did not mean to place edwards on the same level as joe pa.

i was trying to say that simply being one of 'our own' is not a very good defense.

definately edwards' opinion of the team is not what i was trying to equate to with joe pa

Joined: 04/13/2016

MGoPoints: 3630

MGB

November 20th, 2017 at 12:43 PM ^

Let's also not forget the time he went on ESPN wearing a Penn State shirt the week of our game at happy valley because he was mad at Rich Rod.

Joined: 11/29/2015

MGoPoints: 888

KC Wolve

November 20th, 2017 at 12:43 PM ^

I wasn’t going to “distance” myself from someone I have never met, but after reading your message board post, I have decided to.

Good work

Also, the internet is a strange place.

Joined: 10/09/2010

MGoPoints: 12679

VAWolverine

November 20th, 2017 at 12:46 PM ^

has a disease of mind, soul, body and spirit. He will get my mercy, compassion and prayers in the hope he can move towards a healthier lifestyle and way of life. I've been through this battle and know that it is not easy.

Joined: 11/06/2008

MGoPoints: 9927

MGoStrength

November 20th, 2017 at 12:46 PM ^

Unfortunately there are a few things that make people more likely to have problems with drugs and alcohol that also lend to being a good football player.  Being gregarious, liking to take risks, and being impulsive are all things (among others) that research has shown indicate an increased liklihood of having issues with drugs and alcohol.  I feel like those traits also are common among many high level football players.

Joined: 07/29/2010

MGoPoints: 20002

1408

November 20th, 2017 at 12:48 PM ^

Braylon: 

  • Pays for hundreds of Cleveland high school kids to go to college 
  • First received in Big Ten history with three straight 1,000 yard seasons
  • Wins big ten championships with Michigan
  • Makes millions in the NFL

 

You:

  • Post from basement

Joined: 01/28/2015

MGoPoints: 4333

Fezzik

November 20th, 2017 at 12:58 PM ^

You guys remember when Bo gave up on Billy Taylor for alcohol/drug use? Oh and he tried robbing a bank and went to prison. Remember when Bo exiled him after that? Me neither! Instead Bo would visit him in prison. Today its Dr. Billy Taylor and he is an inspirational man. Hopefully Braylon can end up on a similar path as Dr. Taylor. Blue supports blue. Pray/hope Braylon gets help if he needs help. Don't look to social media to knock the man down. If you don't like what he says as a fan, ignore him.

Joined: 09/11/2015

MGoPoints: 5552

jsquigg

November 20th, 2017 at 3:25 PM ^

A couple things:

1) Ideally the U of M community would intervene on his behalf instead of distancing themselves.  If Bo had coaced him I think he would have gotten some tough love a long time ago (which is NOT a shot at Lloyd).

2) I already named my son Braylon.

Joined: 09/06/2009

MGoPoints: 9632

blueblueblue

November 20th, 2017 at 3:37 PM ^

Shit like this pisses me off. Fuck off OP. Dont tell me how to be a fan - who I should and should not root for as a UM alumus. How abou tthis - YOU distance yourself from Braylon if you want. That is your personal choice, and I will not judge you for it, even though I do not agree with it. But stop telling me and others how to carry out an important part of our lives. 

Joined: 12/28/2008

MGoPoints: 6630

mfan92

November 20th, 2017 at 5:12 PM ^

That's not put stalworth on Braylon. That's ignorant. That's only on donte but instead of "separating ourselves" people should reach out and offer help/support. He was on of the best players to play for us. Ya he says things that piss people off but still a fan just like all of us here

Joined: 12/06/2016

MGoPoints: 473

greymarch

November 20th, 2017 at 5:40 PM ^

You picked the wrong person to distance yourself from. Distance yourself from O'Korn.

 

O'Korn is a hot-head, a thug, and an idiot.  Braylon is correct about O'Korn, and O'Korn should have kept his mouth shut.

 

Good riddance to O'Korn.  Thank god this is his last season at UM.

Joined: 02/06/2010

MGoPoints: 4886

1408

November 20th, 2017 at 10:16 PM ^

Quit the faux virtue signaling. Braylon was a Michigan Man and total boss during his time here and OKorn is a pile of hot garbage on the field. Once you strap on the cleats at that level, you are open for criticism and it comes harshest from your predecessors who care about quality.

Joined: 01/28/2015

MGoPoints: 4333

Blue Know It

November 21st, 2017 at 1:42 PM ^

Based on the timeline, I think maybe the state of our program is what drives him to the bottle. I've seen it here quite often.

 

Note- partially kidding.

Joined: 08/05/2014

MGoPoints: 2605