Former NFL Player Saves a Life Breaking Up a Locker Room Beatdown

When Braylon Edwards went to his local YMCA, the last thing he expected to do was breakup a locker room fight.

However, the former University of Michigan star wide receiver, who went on to the NFL, had to help an 80-year-old man being physically assaulted.

Wow: Former #NFL player Braylon Edwards saved an 80-year-old man's life after he was attacked in a locker room by a 25y/o man, police say.

What a hero 👏❤️

(via @Local4News)pic.twitter.com/fWPTRxSofG

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 3, 2024

The incident began as a verbal exchange between a 20-year-old man and a 80-year-old, leaving the elder man to be in critical condition at a local hospital.

Fox News has more information on the event:

Malik Ali Smith, 20, is being charged with assault with intent to murder, carrying a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted, Fox 2 Detroit reported.

Smith attacked the 80-year-old man after an exchange of words inside the locker room at Farming Hills YMCA around 10:45 a.m. on March 1.

Smith allegedly fled the YMCA, but police were able to arrest him nearby. They made note of the Good Samaritan in Edwards.

ADVERTISEMENT

“This was a vicious, senseless attack,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said, via Fox 2 Detroit. “I commend the witness who intervened, and we will seek justice for this victim.”

Smith is being held on $250,000 bond and has a probable cause conference for March 13 at 1:30 p.m.

Braylon discussed his side of the story with WDIV, a Detroit news station. The Athletic has more on his quotes:

Edwards, 41, told Detroit station WDIV that he walked into the locker room and overheard an argument about someone playing music too loud.

“I’m not paying attention, it’s none of my business,” Edwards said. “The noise escalates, and then you can hear some pushing and shoving — you know what fighting sounds like — start to hear some tussling, and start to hear some fists. I heard a thud, that’s what got me up. That’s what got me to turn around.”

Edwards said he saw the alleged assailant grab “the back of the victim’s head by the hair, and he was about to slam it down on the counter.” Edwards then said he “grabbed (the younger man), subdued him.”

Edwards said he wasn’t initially aware that he may have saved the older man’s life.

“That’s what you do,” Edwards said. “People go to workout, they have a good time, they live 80 years and this isn’t how they expect for something to maybe take their life.”

This shocking story has led to many people flocking to X to voice their support for Braylon:

Braylon Edwards, real life HERO ❤️@OfficialBraylon pic.twitter.com/CdDYJ9rPhT

— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) March 5, 2024

Braylon Edwards is a LEGEND pic.twitter.com/J63uBbgvNO

— Barstool Cleveland (@BS_Cleveland) March 3, 2024

this is the picture of what Masculinity is

respect to Braylon Edwards! https://t.co/CUw8hDKvCv

— Robert Sapolsky's Burner (@sapolskysburner) March 4, 2024

Edwards, a Detroit native, already lives in infamy in Michigan as he leads the university in career receiving yards, catches, and receiving touchdowns.