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Emotional Edwards apologizes for actions after victory over Rams
By Marla Ridenour Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Monday, Oct 29, 2007
ST. LOUIS: Braylon Edwards was spared from agony.
Sunday at St. Louis, the 24-year-old Browns receiver committed an almost unthinkable Dwayne Rudd-like mistake.
Believing the third quarter had ended, he took off his helmet to celebrate a 19-yard catch that included running over a Rams defender. The unsportsmanlike conduct penalty set the Browns back to the Rams' 41-yard line, but Phil Dawson hit a 45-yard field goal to give the Browns a seven-point lead with 10:35 to go.
The scene reminded fans of linebacker Rudd, whose helmet toss in the 2002 opener handed the Kansas City Chiefs an extra play at the end of the game and a 40-39 victory.
If the Browns hadn't pulled out a 27-20 win over the Rams at the Edward Jones Dome, Edwards' heart would have hurt for another reason.
On Oct. 16, Edwards visited Denszelle Douglas, a 15-year-old from Lakewood High School hospitalized at the Cleveland Clinic with congestive heart failure. Douglas underwent a heart transplant in July 2006, but his body rejected the organ.
Edwards took Douglas one of his three touchdown balls from the Miami game and gave him a No. 17 jersey, telling Douglas he hoped he could wear it to a Browns game soon. Edwards spent about half an hour with the football, baseball and basketball player and his mother.
Douglas passed away Friday.
''This is an emotional game for myself in that regard after meeting the young man, talking to his parents and meeting his family, hoping he was able to get to one of these events,'' Edwards said. ''It didn't happen. I dedicated this performance and my first touchdown to him. I'm glad we got a win. My prayers go out to his family.''
Edwards' performance was a roller coaster of emotions. He matched his career high with eight catches, totalling 117 yards and two touchdowns. Edwards helped the Browns rally from a 14-0 deficit, scoring on passes of 12 and 5 yards.
Browns quarterback Derek Anderson has thrown for 17 touchdowns this season, nine to Edwards.
Browns coach Romeo Crennel could not have been happy with Edwards' helmet gaffe, but seemed satisfied with his player's answer. The third overall pick in 2003, Edwards has had his self-absorbed moments in the past but none this season.
''The discussion was that you don't do things like that, but he thought it was the end of the quarter, and that is the only reason why he did it,'' Crennel said. ''I don't think we will see him do that again. He understands this game and what the rules are.''
When Edwards stepped to the interview podium, he addressed the situation first and said he had apologized to the team and the coaches.
''I was sick,'' Edwards said of the penalty. ''It put us out of field-goal range. I said, 'If we don't score on this drive I'm going to be real upset with myself.' The team subconsciously would think about it. I was happy we were able to put points on the board.
''It was a dumb penalty, but my team was there for me. My team had my back today.''
Edwards also seemed to show more maturity when asked about the numbers he posted against the Rams.
''The biggest thing that's changed about myself and Kellen (Winslow) is we could care less about individual stats,'' Edwards said. ''Everything we do now is for the game and for the team. If I tie my career high, whoop-de-doo. Now we're 4-3, we're above water for the first time in a long time. But we know we can do better.''
Edwards was on his game in the first quarter, dragging his toes to stay inbounds on a 29-yard reception on the sideline that survived Rams coach Scott Linehan's replay challenge. That play helped set up a 35-yard Dawson field goal for the Browns' first score.
Edwards said he and Winslow, who caught a 21-yard touchdown pass, are trying to inspire their teammates.
''In my maturing, they believe in me now. They believe in the things that I do, they believe in the things that I say, they believe in the player I am,'' Edwards said.
''Believing in guys like myself and Kellen, it makes them play that much harder. It makes them give an extra chip on a play they may not have chipped on or is not their responsibility. That means an extra second for D.A.
''The team is believing in each other now.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
ST. LOUIS: Braylon Edwards was spared from agony.
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