Braylon Edwards returns to Michigan for degree

Submitted by Kewaga. on

Ann Arbor — Braylon Edwards was living in Chicago last fall, in a comfort zone with so many Michigan alums in the area, when he had a moment of realization while watching an NFL game on a Sunday afternoon

 

“I said, ‘All right, look, I’m 33, I’ve got to get back home,’ ” Edwards said. “I knew it was time to focus. It’s time to find that drive. You’re 33, what’s going to be your final signature on this world?”

 

Edwards currently is taking four classes at Michigan and has an internship in the athletic department...

 

 

“Michigan has always been Michigan,” Edwards said. “We are the leaders and the best, but in the last four, five years, you’ve seen the transcendence of where Michigan is going in terms of the national spotlight. You look at the football program, you look at the architectural design and obviously (Michigan football coach Jim) Harbaugh is the talk of the town on so many levels and what the Ross School of Business is doing, you’re lucky to be here.

“It’s not easy. I’d be lying if I told you my classes are easy. These kids are intelligent, they’re smart, they work hard, the professors are amazing at what they do. To be here is a special thing, and I see why people are excited and passionate about whatever they do here.

 

 

Edwards blends in on campus wearing a Michigan hoodie and hat, and when he’s not going to class or studying or attending meetings as part of his internship, he’s at the football building giving advice to some of the current Michigan receivers, including early-enrollee freshmen Donovan Peoples-Jones and Tarik Black.

 

“The other day I was watching film with Maurice Ways and helping him, saying....

 

 

Good read, only a small portion, check out its entirety at:

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wol…

ScruffyTheJanitor

February 21st, 2017 at 8:12 AM ^

I was watching it with my brother's sparty friend, and when State went up I played it cool, acting like Michigan was going to win the whole time-- even when I wanted to punch through a wall. As the fourth quater and OT unfolded, I just acted like a smug (almost disinterested) jerk, even as he slowly decended into madness. 

When it was over, and this guy was litteraly laying prostrate on the ground, his soul freshly crushed, I coldly said, "I don't know why you are surprised," then I walked into the kitchen, where I could finally release some of my unbridled energy in the form of a silly dance.

The greatest troll job of my life came courtesy of Mr. Braylon Edwards, and for that I am thankful. 

1464

February 20th, 2017 at 8:37 PM ^

I met Braylon as a bar manager for a Josh Cribbs birthday party.  They rented out the VIP lounge when they were both with the Browns.  Both he and Cribbs were two of the nicest athletes/celebrities that I've met.  They were polite, didn't ask to be treated like royalty, learned the bartenders' names, and tipped on top of an auto-grat.  Complete opposite of most of the athletes we dealt with.  

I was very surprised with all the stuff that has hung around Braylon's reputation.  Michigan fan aside, he was objectively cool to everyone there.

Avon Barksdale

February 20th, 2017 at 7:55 PM ^

So I know some don't like him -- but he played during my formative years as a teenager, so I always wanted to be him going up and grabbing TD's over fools. He is one of my all time favorites at U-M.

funkifyfl

February 20th, 2017 at 8:01 PM ^

Just your average #3 overall NFL draft pick-student giving tips to the new freshmen on the team [jaw smacks floor].

 

As a random aside, seeing Braylon drive his grand spanking new Bentley down Greenwood during a block party in the spring of my Freshman year is one of my favorite memories.

1974

February 20th, 2017 at 8:47 PM ^

Braylon has acted like a buffoon a few times in the past. He was annoying with the #1 jersey and also somewhat with his younger half-brothers (who didn't get UMich offers).

I thought he sounded pretty thoughtful at this year's Signing of the Stars, though, and making effort to finish school is commendable.

snarling wolverine

February 21st, 2017 at 6:34 AM ^

Lloyd used the #1 jersey to motivate Braylon, making him "earn" it.  Braylon responded with a record-setting career.

I don't think Braylon was that out of line about the jersey either.  He endowed a scholarship for the wearer of the #1 jersey, assuming it would go to a WR as it always had.  When RichRod gave it to a DB, Braylon expressed his displeasure and RichRod quickly switched the player to a different number.  That whole "controversy" lasted like one day.  The echo chamber of the internet has turned that into a far bigger deal than it was. 

LSAClassOf2000

February 20th, 2017 at 9:18 PM ^

I know this sort of made it to the board in passing a while back, but glad to see it in a thread for all to see. I can't imagine what it is like to be a senior in your early 30s, but I don't think anyone can fault him for coming back to finish what he began as a student. It would be fun to see him make a little noise in the athletic department too, even as an intern. 

Just a note to the OP though - try to limit it to a select quote and we'll take on the read / discuss responsibilities from there. Remember, the journalists are trying to make some money here.