Braylon Edwards DWI

The New York Jets’ Braylon Edwards was arrested very early Tuesday morning on driving while intoxicated charges. After being pulled over at 4:47am on September 21, Edwards blew a 0.16 on a Breathalyzer test. 0.16 is double New York State’s legal limit.

Edwards, who is a wide receiver for the Jets and has been dubbed the No. 1 wideout, was pulled over in the city at 34th Street and 12th Avenue, on his way home from a teammate’s charity poker game. Also in the car with Edwards was Jets offensive lineman D’Brickashaw Ferguson and defensive lineman Vernon Gohlston, as well as a fourth passenger, a female. He told the officers that he had had a couple of drinks, and that his last one had been about an hour before he was pulled over. He was arrested following the failure of his Breathalyzer test.

Luckily for Edwards, Judge Frank Nervo let him go free without bail, for which prosecutors had requested $2,000. His next court appearance will be held November 9, two days after the Jets play the Detroit Lions on the road.

The Jets released a statement expressing their disappointment in Edwards’ decisions and his lack of use of the Player Protect program. The Player Protect program provides professional athletes with a 24-hour driving service; players can call the company to receive a ride home in a luxury SUV or Mercedes limo.

Unfortunately, this was not Edwards’ first run in with law enforcement officials; last October, he was accused of punching LeBron James’ friend outside of a nightclub. This incident ended up being settled with a no contest plea to aggravated assault. He paid a $1,000 fine, was sentenced to 180-days of suspended jail time, and put on probation.

Edwards played football at the University of Michigan from 2001 to 2004 and was then drafted by the Cleveland Browns third overall in the 2005 NFL draft. During his senior year at the University of Michigan, Edwards set season records for receptions and yards, as well as setting career records for 39 touchdowns, 252 receptions, and 3,541 yards.

Despite his arrest on Tuesday, Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said that Edwards will still be active in this Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins, which will be played in Miami. However, head coach Rex Ryan will have the final say in how much playing time Edwards sees. Any discipline Edwards will face will follow the official substance abuse procedures as outlined by the NFL’s substance abuse program.

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