The Boston Globe
There is a hint of disappointment in his voice, the result of NFL teams slamming their doors in his face. Then again, that hurt can’t compare to what he went through in 1999 when doctors told him they almost had to amputate his leg and that he might never walk again.
The voice on the other end of the line is Robert Edwards, 1998 New England Patriots first-round draft choice and third-year member of the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.
More than eight years after beating the odds to not only walk again but play football, he’s still running.
“I think about it every now and then,” said Edwards, 32, who opened the CFL season last week with the Alouettes. “I’ve pretty much put it behind me, but I don’t think the rest of the world has. It gets brought up whenever they say my name.”
Patriots fans certainly don’t forget. Edwards was coming off a rookie season in which he totaled 1,115 rushing yards, caught 35 passes, and scored 12 touchdowns. Playing in an NFL-sponsored rookie flag football game at the Pro Bowl in February 1999, he was attempting to break up a pass when he landed awkwardly on his left leg, tearing ligaments and experiencing artery damage that cut off blood flow to his lower leg.
More than three years later, Edwards returned to the NFL with the Dolphins, playing in 12 games during the 2002 season. But when he was cut the following season despite feeling he had a solid training camp, he couldn’t convince other NFL clubs to bring him aboard.
“New Orleans, Baltimore, Washington, Seattle, Atlanta ... ” he said, rattling off a list of teams for which he worked out but didn’t earn a contract. “Everybody said I had good workouts but they never said why they wouldn’t sign me or give me an opportunity. I just assumed it was because of the knee injury and the liability behind it. I was upset that teams couldn’t see past the knee.”
Edwards sat idle for two seasons, wondering if his itch to play would fade.
It didn’t, so he ratcheted up his work with highly regarded strength and conditioning coach Tom Shaw, figuring he’d take one more crack at carrying the football while his body was still young and could withstand the pounding.
Shaw made calls on his behalf and the Alouettes, sharing some of the same concerns NFL clubs had regarding Edwards’ knee, agreed to work him out. Edwards did all the drills except a 40-yard dash, fearing that a slow time from a player once known as a speed back might result in another team turning him away.
The Alouettes protected themselves by signing him to a one-year contract loaded with incentives based on playing time and Edwards had a memorable first season in 2005, rushing for 1,199 yards and playing with his brother, Terrence.
Last year, he scored a league-high 17 touchdowns and was third in the league’s rushing race (1,155 yards), transforming himself into a between-the-tackles runner.
“I knew absolutely nothing about the CFL until I got here,” Edwards said. “All I knew was that I wanted to play the game, and even though I had to travel to Canada, it’s still football. Sure, I’d love to be in the States so I could be closer to my family, but this was where my opportunity was, my fresh shot.”
One thing Edwards quickly learned was that the salaries are considerably different than in the NFL.
If he reaches all his incentives this season, Edwards could earn as much as $100,000. In the NFL, the rookie minimum contract is $285,000.
While the competition is also a cut below the NFL, Edwards said there is a similarity between the leagues in “competitive nature.” He believes “a lot of guys over here could play in the NFL if given the opportunity.”
He said he’s spoken with former Patriots teammates Troy Brown, Kevin Faulk, Ty Law, Willie McGinest, Lawyer Milloy, Patrick Pass and J.R. Redmond in recent years, and that there is appreciation for every day he straps on his pads, tucks a football close to his chest and rumbles up the middle.
“A lot of people would have quit,” he said. “I feel like I’m living a miracle, still playing this game.”
“I knew absolutely nothing about the CFL until I got here.”
Robert Edwards,
former Patriots’ running back
There is a hint of disappointment in his voice, the result of NFL teams slamming their doors in his face. Then again, that hurt can’t compare to what he went through in 1999 when doctors told him they almost had to amputate his leg and that he might never walk again.
The voice on the other end of the line is Robert Edwards, 1998 New England Patriots first-round draft choice and third-year member of the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.
More than eight years after beating the odds to not only walk again but play football, he’s still running.
“I think about it every now and then,” said Edwards, 32, who opened the CFL season last week with the Alouettes. “I’ve pretty much put it behind me, but I don’t think the rest of the world has. It gets brought up whenever they say my name.”
Patriots fans certainly don’t forget. Edwards was coming off a rookie season in which he totaled 1,115 rushing yards, caught 35 passes, and scored 12 touchdowns. Playing in an NFL-sponsored rookie flag football game at the Pro Bowl in February 1999, he was attempting to break up a pass when he landed awkwardly on his left leg, tearing ligaments and experiencing artery damage that cut off blood flow to his lower leg.
More than three years later, Edwards returned to the NFL with the Dolphins, playing in 12 games during the 2002 season. But when he was cut the following season despite feeling he had a solid training camp, he couldn’t convince other NFL clubs to bring him aboard.
“New Orleans, Baltimore, Washington, Seattle, Atlanta ... ” he said, rattling off a list of teams for which he worked out but didn’t earn a contract. “Everybody said I had good workouts but they never said why they wouldn’t sign me or give me an opportunity. I just assumed it was because of the knee injury and the liability behind it. I was upset that teams couldn’t see past the knee.”
Edwards sat idle for two seasons, wondering if his itch to play would fade.
It didn’t, so he ratcheted up his work with highly regarded strength and conditioning coach Tom Shaw, figuring he’d take one more crack at carrying the football while his body was still young and could withstand the pounding.
Shaw made calls on his behalf and the Alouettes, sharing some of the same concerns NFL clubs had regarding Edwards’ knee, agreed to work him out. Edwards did all the drills except a 40-yard dash, fearing that a slow time from a player once known as a speed back might result in another team turning him away.
The Alouettes protected themselves by signing him to a one-year contract loaded with incentives based on playing time and Edwards had a memorable first season in 2005, rushing for 1,199 yards and playing with his brother, Terrence.
Last year, he scored a league-high 17 touchdowns and was third in the league’s rushing race (1,155 yards), transforming himself into a between-the-tackles runner.
“I knew absolutely nothing about the CFL until I got here,” Edwards said. “All I knew was that I wanted to play the game, and even though I had to travel to Canada, it’s still football. Sure, I’d love to be in the States so I could be closer to my family, but this was where my opportunity was, my fresh shot.”
One thing Edwards quickly learned was that the salaries are considerably different than in the NFL.
If he reaches all his incentives this season, Edwards could earn as much as $100,000. In the NFL, the rookie minimum contract is $285,000.
While the competition is also a cut below the NFL, Edwards said there is a similarity between the leagues in “competitive nature.” He believes “a lot of guys over here could play in the NFL if given the opportunity.”
He said he’s spoken with former Patriots teammates Troy Brown, Kevin Faulk, Ty Law, Willie McGinest, Lawyer Milloy, Patrick Pass and J.R. Redmond in recent years, and that there is appreciation for every day he straps on his pads, tucks a football close to his chest and rumbles up the middle.
“A lot of people would have quit,” he said. “I feel like I’m living a miracle, still playing this game.”
“I knew absolutely nothing about the CFL until I got here.”
Robert Edwards,
former Patriots’ running back
