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Do IT this week: Layering
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 06:26 p.m. EDT, Oct 05, 2009
INDEPENDENCE: An early morning incident involving Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards got the attention of Cavaliers forward LeBron James.
According to a Cleveland.com report, Cleveland police issued a report accusing Edwards of assaulting club promoter Edward Givens after an incident outside The View, a Cleveland nightclub.
Givens hosts parties at the nightspot. James said that Givens is his very good friend and that he didn't want to go into too much detail, other than to say that he was at home at the time of the incident.
''The situation is very sensitive right now, but it's very unfortunate that it happened. Hopefully my friend is doing well at this point,'' James said. ''It's unfortunate when something like that happens out of someone's workplace.''
The incident took place about 2:30 a.m., according to the report, with Edwards, whose name was redacted from the initial police document, allegedly being the instigator.
''After the club closed, I was outside greeting and saying goodbye to people. Braylon comes up and started saying things, degrading me,'' Givens told Cleveland.com. ''He said if it wasn't for LeBron [James] or the Four Horsemen, I wouldn't have what I have, nor would I be able to get girls.''
Edwards allegedly hit Givens, giving him a black eye. Givens said that Edwards is envious of James' success — something that James reiterated.
''I never crossed paths with Braylon before, but it seems there's a little jealousy going on between Braylon, me and my friends,'' James said. ''I have no idea why. I've never said anything to Braylon at all. For him to do that, he's just very childish.''
Through his manager, Hayes Groom, Edwards told the Associated Press: ''Braylon has nothing but the highest respect for LeBron James as an athlete and person.''
Browns coach Eric Mangini said he was aware of the incident: ''I always want our players to put themselves in the most positive positions and this is something I will continue to gather information on. As of right now, I really have nothing else to add to that.''
Edward has been a magnet for controversy since his arrival from the University of Michigan as the third overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft.
His behavior has garnered headlines — grabbing quarterback Charlie Frye's jersey and launching into a sideline rant during a 30-0 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in 2006; being late for practice after taking a helicopter to the Ohio State-Michigan game; calling out former teammate Brian Russell for a hit on Bengals' receiver Chad Johnson; criticizing former offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson. Even after he vowed to change, Edwards was the only no-show on the first day of a voluntary minicamp in May 2007.
He has been more than willing to pin many of his troubles on the fact that he was from Michigan.
''The state of Ohio hates Michigan,'' said Edwards, who grew up in Detroit. ''I'm not making anything up. The day I got drafted, the first thing you guys said was about my Bentley and the next comment was, 'How do think you're going to fit in with the Browns being that you're from Michigan?' Every time I come up to people, it's 'O-H-I-O.' I'm like, 'I play for the Browns.' ''
Mangini said Edwards expressed his regret that the situation happened at all. Mangini said that ''personal conduct is very important to me.''
As for James, he seemed perplexed by the entire incident. ''My friend is 130 pounds. It's like hitting one of my children or something like that. It doesn't make sense.''
Media splash
James took his skills to the season finale of HBO's Entourage Sunday night. Series writer Doug Ellin knew of James' fondness for the show and invited him to appear.
The episode also featured U2 frontman Bono and Oscar-winning screenwriter and actor Matt Damon. ''It just so happened I was in Los Angeles when I was shooting the show,'' James said.
The episode re-airs at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday on HBO2.
Beacon Journal sports writer Marla Ridenour contributed to this report. George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas. Follow Cavs coverage on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cavsabj.
INDEPENDENCE: An early morning incident involving Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards got the attention of Cavaliers forward LeBron James.
According to a Cleveland.com report, Cleveland police issued a report accusing Edwards of assaulting club promoter Edward Givens after an incident outside The View, a Cleveland nightclub.
Givens hosts parties at the nightspot. James said that Givens is his very good friend and that he didn't want to go into too much detail, other than to say that he was at home at the time of the incident.
''The situation is very sensitive right now, but it's very unfortunate that it happened. Hopefully my friend is doing well at this point,'' James said. ''It's unfortunate when something like that happens out of someone's workplace.''
The incident took place about 2:30 a.m., according to the report, with Edwards, whose name was redacted from the initial police document, allegedly being the instigator.
''After the club closed, I was outside greeting and saying goodbye to people. Braylon comes up and started saying things, degrading me,'' Givens told Cleveland.com. ''He said if it wasn't for LeBron [James] or the Four Horsemen, I wouldn't have what I have, nor would I be able to get girls.''
Edwards allegedly hit Givens, giving him a black eye. Givens said that Edwards is envious of James' success — something that James reiterated.
''I never crossed paths with Braylon before, but it seems there's a little jealousy going on between Braylon, me and my friends,'' James said. ''I have no idea why. I've never said anything to Braylon at all. For him to do that, he's just very childish.''
Through his manager, Hayes Groom, Edwards told the Associated Press: ''Braylon has nothing but the highest respect for LeBron James as an athlete and person.''
Browns coach Eric Mangini said he was aware of the incident: ''I always want our players to put themselves in the most positive positions and this is something I will continue to gather information on. As of right now, I really have nothing else to add to that.''
Edward has been a magnet for controversy since his arrival from the University of Michigan as the third overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft.
His behavior has garnered headlines — grabbing quarterback Charlie Frye's jersey and launching into a sideline rant during a 30-0 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in 2006; being late for practice after taking a helicopter to the Ohio State-Michigan game; calling out former teammate Brian Russell for a hit on Bengals' receiver Chad Johnson; criticizing former offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson. Even after he vowed to change, Edwards was the only no-show on the first day of a voluntary minicamp in May 2007.
He has been more than willing to pin many of his troubles on the fact that he was from Michigan.
''The state of Ohio hates Michigan,'' said Edwards, who grew up in Detroit. ''I'm not making anything up. The day I got drafted, the first thing you guys said was about my Bentley and the next comment was, 'How do think you're going to fit in with the Browns being that you're from Michigan?' Every time I come up to people, it's 'O-H-I-O.' I'm like, 'I play for the Browns.' ''
Mangini said Edwards expressed his regret that the situation happened at all. Mangini said that ''personal conduct is very important to me.''
As for James, he seemed perplexed by the entire incident. ''My friend is 130 pounds. It's like hitting one of my children or something like that. It doesn't make sense.''
Media splash
James took his skills to the season finale of HBO's Entourage Sunday night. Series writer Doug Ellin knew of James' fondness for the show and invited him to appear.
The episode also featured U2 frontman Bono and Oscar-winning screenwriter and actor Matt Damon. ''It just so happened I was in Los Angeles when I was shooting the show,'' James said.
The episode re-airs at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday on HBO2.
Beacon Journal sports writer Marla Ridenour contributed to this report. George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas. Follow Cavs coverage on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cavsabj.
Comments
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Canton, OH
Posted 07:29 PM, 10/05/2009
" Can we all just get along ? " . . with apologies to RodNey King. . .
uniontown, oh
Posted 07:47 PM, 10/05/2009
Get rid of Edwards. Just another looser out getting drunk and partying after another loss of the pro team that he is supposed to care for. Leave Ohio in your junk Bentley and leave Lebron alone. Looser.
Hiram, GA
Posted 09:03 PM, 10/05/2009
Wah, Wah, Wah. Edwards is just like KW, a spoiled punk. Once he finds himself out of jail, then the NFL he will be pushing a broom humming the Buckeye's theme song if he is lucky at some middle school once he blows through all of his money.
Funny how the ball didn't make it's way his way in the second half.
Posted 09:43 PM, 10/05/2009
Read in another article about it. Several Browns were with edwards that nite.
Several of them also threw punches, at smaller bar patrons. They can't hit on the field so they find easier targets.
No wonder they are ZERO and four...for now.
Coach better send a message, either that, or one by one they'll end up in jail.
Posted 09:46 PM, 10/05/2009
I wish Braylon would just go away.
AK, Oh
Posted 08:14 AM, 10/06/2009
Go Braylon!!! The saying is, if you talk the talk you gotta be able to walk the walk. He should of shut his mouth. I heard the boy went to the police "girly move". What happend to the code. Braylon run Lebron out of town he sweet.lol
Akron, OH
Posted 08:18 AM, 10/06/2009
Everyone who goes to the games need to start holding up "Bench Braylon" signs. The team is better off with him on the bench than with him on the field.
medina, oh
Posted 08:21 AM, 10/06/2009
Edwards plays for the Browns, so here's what to do. Kick the whole Browns team out of Cleveland. Then, we don't have to be embarrassed by the team for another 40 years, and we get rid of Edwards too!
Spring Lake, Mi
Posted 08:35 AM, 10/06/2009
Hey, give him a gun and maybe just maybe he'll shoot himself in the leg too. Can't catch, strike one, from Michigan, strike two, and beats up 130 lb. weakling who can't get girl w/o Lebron, strike three. I love it! Great roll models we have in Cleveland these days. Over paid little kids. Sorry for my ranting, but I'm so sick of Cleveland losing at everything.
Green, Ohio
Posted 08:36 AM, 10/06/2009
It is pretty sad and bad when the punks on the street are from the loser team we are rooting for.
It is time for Edwards to go.
akron, oh
Posted 08:41 AM, 10/06/2009
James needs to mind his own business, and play basketball. Edwards needs to be bench, and allowed time to get his self together. Perhaps he is also off his psych meds.
Canton, OH
Posted 10:11 AM, 10/06/2009
MaryAnn- since it was a friend of LeBron's why should he mind his own business? I have no problem with what he has said regarding Braylon. As long as he isn't retailiating - which i don't will happen - he has ever right to speak out about it.
akron, oh
Posted 11:19 AM, 10/06/2009
honestly...Lebron is being hypocritical. calling someone childish when you don't show sportsmanship after losing to a team? Maybe if he actually supported his hometown teams--lets see...wearing a new york yankees hat; going to the dallas game. honestly, i think all athletes need a refresher course
Hudson, OH
Posted 12:03 PM, 10/06/2009
Pro athletes are nothing more than little boys that never grew up.
Akron, Oh
Posted 12:13 PM, 10/06/2009
Pro Athletes are nothing but thugs with money
akron, oh
Posted 02:10 PM, 10/06/2009
LeBron has more class in his little finger than Braylon Edwards. Braylon is a detriment to the Browns both off and on the field, he should be traded.
Leesburg, Fl
Posted 02:11 PM, 10/06/2009
Look at the bright side, the Browns didn't draft Michael Crabtree...still a 49ers holdout.
He would have been even a bigger DIVA that BE. BE then would have hated him too and there'd be more trouble.
alliance, oh
Posted 02:58 PM, 10/06/2009
Edwards got to goooooo !!!!!!
Posted 03:25 PM, 10/06/2009
Look at the bright side, at least Edwards has now shown his hands are good for something.
Akron, OH
Posted 04:48 PM, 10/06/2009
MaryAnn,
Lebron was contacted by the reporter for the story and he answered questions. If someone hurt my friend, I'd probably be willing to answer a few questions too. And honestly, Mr. James answered the questions politely and civily.
Browns10,
There's a difference between starting a fight at a bar with a guy half your size at 2:30 a.m. and simply not shaking hands with opponents after the game. I can't believe you can even think of drawing comparisons between these two totally unrelated incidents.
Atlanta, GA
Posted 04:51 PM, 10/06/2009
LeBron has more class in his little finger than Braylon Edwards....
well said IMHO
Akron, Ohio
Posted 05:35 PM, 10/06/2009
Some of these super-paid athletes need to check their gangsta mentalities and lifestyles when they sign those contracts. Better yet, when they get those scholarships giving them free education, that otherwise would be very expensive. It should be a tacit stipulation to the contracts/scholarships that you can't go to da club, "act a fool," and punch people... or any of the other idiotic things we hear about. You're not a hip hop star, grow up. If you believe that behaving like this is worth risking all you're blessed with - then don't expect any of us to feel sorry for you when ya lose it.
Akron, OH
Posted 07:03 PM, 10/06/2009
While it does not excuse Edwards' actions, what he said was TRUE.
Same goes for Maverick. Ol' college dropout a-- mofo.
Tallmadge, Oh
Posted 08:56 PM, 10/06/2009
I do know there's always two sides to every story - doubt that Braylon let him have it w/o some good reason - had to be something Givens did or said - what does evrbody expect - they're all coming out of a bar, possibly a-a-a-a-a- alcohol was involved,no? Givens entirely innocent in this? Not on your life. And he probably couldn't be where he's at w/o James' help too - including the women thing. You go Braylon- be the fall guy!
Tallmadge, Oh
Posted 09:00 PM, 10/06/2009
You know, I seem to recall LeBron demonstrating that sportsmanship / non-childishness by not shaking hands after a pretty important game himself...
Posted 09:16 PM, 10/06/2009
I think it would be beneficial to the public to see what both of these athletes do when they are out of the public eye. Ask anyone who went to St. V. with LeBron, he's not the class-act some of you think he might be. Braylon is just a loud mouth who got caught doing wrong.
akorn, oh
Posted 09:57 PM, 10/06/2009
Edwards is sort of the opposite of James when it comes to stability and maturity. Oh, well. Having A-clowns like Bray around make the LeBrons look even better.
Posted 10:33 PM, 10/06/2009
lets remember that we have no idea what provoked this not saying Edwards was right but we all know that if he started catching the ball everyone here wouldn't hate him so much
akron, oh
Posted 09:11 AM, 10/07/2009
you all know-that if this was just J.Q. Public that Edwards had punched--nothing would come of this. But because it has a "taste" of Lebron in it--it's going to be front page news until you hang Edwards Let the NFL figure it out--(and don't forget--there are 2 sides to every story--do you know if words were spoken before hand to bring on all this?
Posted 11:21 AM, 10/07/2009
I disagree, Lebron can call Braylon childish, but Lebron sounds like a child nearly every time he opens his mouth. He's an outstanding athlete, but not exactly the smartest guy in the world. I think Lebron needs to start keeping his mouth shut on non basketball issues.
