Jets Star Receiver Charged with DWI
Braylon Edwards, star wide receiver for the New York Jets, was pulled over early Tuesday morning and charged with DWI. An officer originally stopped the vehicle on Manhattan’s West Side around 5AM because the tint on the vehicle was too dark, but smelled a strong odor of alcohol when Edwards rolled down his window. Edwards reportedly asked the arresting officer to let him leave the car and call a cab before being charged. He was arraigned Tuesday afternoon.
The new charge could complicate matters for the troubled receiver, as he is currently on probation for 18 months on a charge of aggravated disorderly conduct for an incident when he allegedly punched a friend of LeBron James. Edwards was traded to the Jets two days after the incident. The Ohio judge presiding over the case has been informed of the new arrest, but has not commented on any action Ohio will take.
The shameful part of all this, it seems, is how unnecessary it was. The Jets organization recently instituted a program to prevent DWI’s for its players, offering a car service for players whose ability to drive is impaired. All Edwards had to do was make a phone call and he would’ve been delivered home safely in a nice Town Car. And, Edwards is not the only Jets player at fault in the incident. His teammates D’Brickashaw Ferguson and defensive end Vernon Gholston were among those in the car with Edwards, and failed to convince the former first-round pick to not drive. Edwards reportedly took a breathalyzer test, and registered a .16 blood alcohol level, which is twice the legal limit in New York.
Edwards is currently free without bail and is scheduled back in court November 9th. If convicted of the misdemeanor charge, he faces a maximum of one year in jail. He also faces the possibility of disciplinary action from the NFL. The NFL has not made any official comment, but Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum rebuked Edwards for showing poor judgement. “We are very disappointed in Braylon’s actions this morning,” Tannenbaum said in a statement. “We are reviewing the information with the league and will impose the appropriate disciplinary measures.” He said Edwards will not be in the starting lineup for their next game against the Dolphins, and his playing time will be determined by head coach Rex Ryan.
Edwards had just had a huge game for the Jets in their 28-14 win over the Patriots, catching five passes including one for a touchdown and one for a two-point conversion. He also drew the ire of coach Ryan after being called for a taunting penalty for taunting the defender after his touchdown. Edwards commented during the Jets’ run to the AFC Championship game that he wants to finish his career with the Jets. He currently has one year left on his contract worth $6.1 million and is scheduled to be a free agent after the season.
