Braylon Edwards: An Ed(wards)itorial

Forgive me for bleeding onto this blog, but sometimes it’s just what we have to do when things warrant an emotional response. And, as I recently told a friend in an e-mail, I know that in general, asking OSU fans to give me a break about something Michigan-related is like, uh, how do you say, urinating into a stiff wind, but bear with me for the next few paragraphs.

As you might recall, when Scott first posted about Braylon’s “issues” (for lack of a better term), I drew a little fire in the comments section for my one bit of perspective on the issue of his “Michigan-ness” being part of the problem.

Next came word of his “follow up” to the first quotes. It started to resemble watching a 30-car pileup at a Nascar race. Scorced earth. The whole nine yards.

But, for me, it’s becoming painful. Again, bear with me. Throughout his tenure with the Browns, I’ve been inclined to give Braylon the benefit of the doubt, because there’s one trump card he has with me: he became my favorite player on my favorite collegiate team, and then was drafted by my favorite pro team. Even since that Michigan State game his senior year, I was indelibly linked to Braylon in that I was always going to follow his pro career. Once they announced his name as our pick at #3 in 2005, I was set for life.

So, allow me to break this whole thing down. I’ve been carrying on some e-mail conversations on this subject, and there seems to be a common feeling in them:

The notion that I am actually defending Edwards.

For the record, once and for all, I am not. He’s acting like a spoiled [slang for donkey]. I just didn’t like that some OSU fans (not singling anyone out, here) sometimes can’t see through their own homerism to realize that there is a small shred of truth to that one aspect of what he said. That doesn’t condone him saying it, of course. It is what it is. I apologize in advance for any offense the following analogy causes, but to me it’s like (on a far smaller scale, of course) people saying, “People won’t vote for Barack Obama because he’s black.” There might be some truth to it in some corners of the country, but you just don’t say something like that, because it’s offensive to people’s general sensibilities. It paints people as unintelligent, and there’s nothing more offensive from public figures than outright condescension. And, even beyond that, everyone who either consciously or subconsciously might fall into that category will inevitably lash out and say, “How dare you! I’d never do that!” even as they might still do it. Again, apologies; I’m making generalities and just trying to make a comparison that might be somewhat understandable if not applicable.

All of that having been said, as much as Braylon is basically cancelling any respect I ever had for him AND the charitable work that he has done, watching my favorite college player get drafted to my favorite pro team, go to the Pro Bowl, only to now subsequently all but scorch the earth as he totally flames out his career in what truly is a solid sports city… well, for me it is truly painfully sad, as much as a sports-related thing can be in this day and age, anyway.

I own and wear (well, wore) his jersey… a jersey that my wife got for me for my birthday in 2005. I have a signed, framed picture of Edwards in my home office that my wife waited in line to have signed, and got for me as an anniversary present. Those are gifts that have actual MEANING to me on many levels. It is so much more than just a jersey, just a picture; and it is not something I can just “get rid of” because it turns out the guy I chose as my favorite player ended up being a total jerk.

Watching Edwards burn bridges with Browns fans that he can never rebuild just kicks me in the guts as a fan of his career back since his college days. There’s no other description of how I feel seeing/hearing all of this. So, as most people I know look at me with incredulity and assume I’m staunchly defending him, know that I’m not. And, while most of you can probably very easily say, “Good riddance, Braylon, you piece of garbage,” I just can’t. I can’t. Pick your absolute favorite OSU player. Now picture him on the Browns. Now picture him walking up to you and blatantly giving you the middle finger. Now imagine how that would make you feel. It hurts, doesn’t it?

So, Braylon, I think it’s time we started seeing other people. I want to swing by later and pick up my Pearl Jam CDs and my jacket. I can leave you the jersey in your mailbox. Don’t call me. It’s for the best. I know it was you, Braylon. You broke my heart. There’s always a small part of me that hopes that somehow this will all work out, and that I can be proud of you once again. Deep down, I still want you to figure it out… and to figure it out WITH THE BROWNS and their fans.

But the damage you’ve done this week not just to your career in Cleveland and the NFL, but also to the relationships you have/had with your most adament of fans (like me), is irreparable. And that is a knife that cuts me deeper than any other possibly could.