Stan Edwards


Stanley J. Edwards is a former American football running back. A native of Detroit, Edwards played college football at the University of Michigan from 1977 to 1981 and for six years in the National Football League for the Houston Oilers and Detroit Lions. His son, Braylon Edwards, also played football at Michigan and in the NFL.

Early years

Edwards was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1960. He attended Kettering High School in Detroit.

University of Michigan

Edwards enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1977 and played college football as a tailback and fullback for Bo Schembechler's Michigan Wolverines football teams in 1977 and from 1979 to 1981. While at Michigan, Edwards gained 2,206 rushing yards and scored 14 touchdowns on 468 carries. He also gained 380 receiving yards and scored four touchdowns on 33 carries. His best season was in 1980 when he gained 901 rushing yards and had three 100-yard games against California, Illinois, and Purdue. While at Michigan, Edwards played in the shadow of Butch Woolfolk, who was selected as a first-team All-Big Ten running back in both 1980 and 1981. Edwards was selected by both the Associated Press and United Press International as a second-team All-Big Ten back in 1981.

Professional football

Edwards was selected by the Houston Oilers in the third round of the 1982 NFL Draft. He played five seasons for the Oilers from 1982 to 1986. He had only one season, 1984, in which he carried the ball more than 25 times, gaining 267 yards on 60 carries for an average of 4.3 yards per carry.
Edwards was released by the Oilers in February 1987 and signed with the Detroit Lions. He appeared in three games for the Lions and rushed for 69 yards on 32 carries for an average of 2.2 yards per carry.
Over the course of his NFL career, Edwards appeared in 56 games, nine as a starter, and gained 533 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns on 149 carries for an average of 3.6 yards per carry.

Family and later years

Edwards is the father of Braylon Edwards who was a wide receiver for Michigan and the New York Jets.