NFL investigates incident with ex-Michigan football player Braylon Edwards
CLEVELAND (AP) — The NFL is investigating whether Cleveland Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards violated the league's conduct policy following accusations he assaulted a man outside a nightclub.
Edwards allegedly punched promoter Edward Givens, a friend of NBA superstar LeBron James, early Monday morning following an argument in downtown Cleveland.
"We are looking into it," league spokesman Greg Aiello said Tuesday in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "It is premature to speculate about potential discipline."
Although Edwards has not been charged with a crime, the league's conduct policy states that discipline may be imposed for "the use or threat of violence."
Edwards may also face team discipline from first-year Browns coach Eric Mangini, who earlier this season fined a player $1,700 for not paying for a $3 bottle of water during a hotel stay.
"Personal conduct is very important to me," Mangini said Monday. "It's important for us and to the players. It's important today, it's important tomorrow."
Edwards has not been available for comment.
Mangini said he was still gathering information on the incident, which took place hours after the Browns fell to 0-4 with a 23-20 overtime loss to Cincinnati. Edwards had gotten into a skirmish with Bengals defensive lineman Pat Sims in the third and quarter and finished the game without a reception — a first in his pro career.
James was critical of Edwards, calling his actions "childish" for punching his friend, who told police he was working at View Ultralounge & Nightclub when he got into an argument with Edwards. Givens said Edwards punched him on the left side of the face.
Edwards has been involved in other off-field incidents, a factor commissioner Roger Goodell considers when handing out any discipline.
In March, Edwards was partying with suspended wide receiver Donte Stallworth in Miami the night Stallworth later drove drunk and killed a pedestrian. Last November, Edwards was fined $150 and given 30 hours of community service after he was found guilty of driving 120 mph.
Comments
81wolverine
Tue, Oct 6, 2009 : 1:52 p.m.
If true, it's too bad. I'd like to see Braylon E. move beyond these distracting incidents and off-field problems. He has enough challenges on the field you'd think. Apparently, he had his run-ins with Coach Carr while at Michigan, but was able to finally focus his senior year. Based on Mangini's fining policy and the severity of this incident if true, could cost Braylon around $1.3 million!
jeremy
Tue, Oct 6, 2009 : 12:57 p.m.
the situation is overblown, but im sure the fans in cleveland are ready for braylon to move on with his dropped passes