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Former NFL extensive receiver Braylon Edwards intervened to cease an alleged assault on an 80-year-old man in a locker room at a Detroit YMCA on Friday, Farmington Hills police chief Jeff King stated.
“As evidenced by the numerous accidents inflicted on the sufferer, it’s clear that Mr. Braylon Edwards’ intervention performed a pivotal position in saving the sufferer’s life,” King stated in an announcement. “It is a horrific incident, however the selfless efforts made by Mr. Edwards embody one of the best in our society.”
The incident occurred when an change of phrases between a 20-year-old man, recognized as Malik Ali Smith, and the 80-year-old man became a bodily combat, which left the 80-year-old in crucial however steady situation at a neighborhood hospital, police stated.
Smith was arrested after fleeing the gymnasium. On Monday, authorities charged Smith with assault with intent to homicide, which carries a most sentence of life in jail. He was given a $250,000 money bond and is being held at Oakland County Jail in Michigan.
“It’s being reported that my shopper is a violent individual and that’s merely not the case,” legal professional Christopher Quinn II, who’s representing Smith, informed the Detroit Information. “He’s a younger man and he has a historical past of psychological well being points.”
Edwards, 41, informed Detroit station WDIV that he walked into the locker room and overheard an argument about somebody taking part in music too loud.
“I’m not paying consideration, it’s none of my enterprise,” Edwards stated. “The noise escalates, after which you may hear some pushing and shoving — you understand what preventing appears like — begin to hear some tussling, and begin to hear some fists. I heard a thud, that’s what acquired me up. That’s what acquired me to show round.”
Edwards stated he noticed the alleged assailant seize “the again of the sufferer’s head by the hair, and he was about to slam it down on the counter.” Edwards then stated he “grabbed (the youthful man), subdued him.”
Edwards stated he wasn’t initially conscious that he could have saved the older man’s life.
“That’s what you do,” Edwards stated. “Folks go to exercise, they’ve a superb time, they stay 80 years and this isn’t how they count on for one thing to perhaps take their life.”
Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald stated in an announcement: “This was a vicious, mindless assault. I commend the witness who intervened, and we are going to search justice for this sufferer.”
Edwards, a collegiate star at Michigan, was a first-round decide by the Cleveland Browns within the 2005 draft. He spent eight seasons within the NFL, additionally taking part in with the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks. He compiled 359 catches for five,522 yards and 40 touchdowns throughout his profession.
(Photograph: Jeff Zelevansky / Getty Photos)
