Ex-NFL receiver Braylon Edwards hailed for saving a life in YMCA assault

Ex-NFL receiver Braylon Edwards hailed for saving a life in YMCA assault

[ad_1]

A Detroit-area police chief credited former NFL participant Braylon Edwards on Monday for serving to save the lifetime of an 80-year-old man allegedly attacked in a YMCA locker room.

The incident, which occurred Friday morning in Farmington Hills, Mich., led to the arrest of a 20-year-old man who was mentioned to have fled the YMCA following Edwards’s intervention. The person, recognized as Malik Ali Smith, was charged Monday with assault with intent to homicide.

In an interview Friday with Detroit station WDIV, Edwards mentioned that when he walked into the locker room, he “heard some noise about 4 rows behind me, arguing about music, somebody enjoying some music too loud.” The 41-year-old former vast receiver mentioned he initially paid little consideration to the obvious altercation till it acquired extra violent.

“The noise escalates, after which you’ll be able to hear some pushing and shoving — you already know what preventing feels like — begin to hear some tussling, begin to hear some fists,” Edwards mentioned. “However as soon as I heard a thud, that’s what acquired me up. That’s what acquired me to show round.”

Edwards informed the station 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.” The previous College of Michigan star mentioned he then moved in and “subdued” the youthful man.

Police mentioned Monday the alleged sufferer, who was not recognized by police, was in important however secure situation at a hospital.

This proposal could be a cure for the NFL’s kickoff woes

“As evidenced by the numerous accidents inflicted on the sufferer, it’s clear that Mr. Braylon Edwards’ intervention performed a pivotal function in saving the sufferer’s life,” Farmington Hills Police Chief Jeff King mentioned in a press release. “This can be a horrific incident, however the selfless efforts made by Mr. Edwards embody the very best in our society.”

The Oakland County prosecuting lawyer’s workplace mentioned Smith was arraigned Saturday and remained within the county jail Monday after having bond set at $250,000. Police mentioned a not responsible plea was entered on his behalf. If convicted of the felony cost, he may withstand life in jail.

An lawyer for Smith informed the Detroit News: “It’s being reported that my shopper is a violent individual and that’s merely not the case. He’s a younger man and he has a historical past of psychological well being points.”

“This was a vicious, mindless assault,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald mentioned in a press release. “I commend the witness who intervened, and we’ll search justice for this sufferer.”

In a information launch Friday from Farmington police that didn’t establish Edwards, he was described as a “good Samaritan” who took motion to “cease the suspect within the midst of a vicious assault.”

Michigan’s all-time chief in catches (252), receiving yards (3,541) and receiving touchdowns (39), Edwards was chosen third general by the Cleveland Browns within the 2005 NFL draft. Traded to the Jets halfway by way of the 2009 season, he helped New York attain back-to-back AFC championship video games.

Edwards signed with the San Francisco 49ers in 2011 and performed with the Seattle Seahawks the next season earlier than briefly returning to the Jets to finish his NFL profession. The 2007 Professional Bowl choice completed with 359 catches for five,522 yards and 40 touchdowns.

A Detroit native, Edwards is spending his retirement as a resident of West Bloomfield Township. Relating to what has been hailed as a lifesaving intervention, he mentioned Friday “that’s what you do.”

“On the finish of the day,” Edwards said Monday on social media, “I simply did what was proper, very similar to a whole lot of different good folks on this world.”

author

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *