Earl Edwards (born March 17, 1946 in Statesboro, Georgia, USA) is a former American and Canadian football player (defensive tackle, offensive tackle and defensive end). Edwards played both ways offensively and defensively in college]. He played College football at Wichita State University where Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells was his lineman coach until leaving for Canada. College was a short stop for "Big Earl" because he defended a team member (Melvin Cason), and his input was not appreciated, causing him to leave the team. In his two and a half years at Wichita State University he won Sophomore Lineman of the Year, All Conference 1st Team, All-Mid West 1st Team, and Honorable Mention All American.

In 1967 he was drafted by the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League, only to be traded to the Edmonton Eskimos without playing a down, for an All-Star kicker. Edmonton's offensive line coach Joe Spencer helped him become a stand-out Offensive Tackle (honorable mention All-pro) for two seasons. In 1969 the San Francisco 49ers traded 11 players (6 the first year and 5 the second year) for his draft rights because he still had one year left on my contract with the Canadian team (the Edmonton Eskimos). The 49ers' general manager Jack White stated in an article in the San Francisco Examiner, "if Edwards had remained in college and gone through the regular NFL draft, he would have been the first lineman drafted".

In 1969, his NFL rookie season, he won the 49ers' Rookie of the Year award and was runner-up to Hall of Fame member "Mean Joe Greene" of the Pittsburgh Steelers for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. 1971, he was honorable mention All-pro at Defensive Tackle with the 49ers.

In 1973 he was traded to the Buffalo Bills for two players and switched again to defensive end where he received honorable mention All-Pro honors for the Bills. He was also selected for the Kelso award which he shared with O.J. Simpson as the team's most valuable defensive and offensive players. In 1974 Street and Smith magazine rated Edwards as the most feared outside rusher in the NFL.

In 1976 Cleveland's defensive coordinator Dick Mogaleski and the Cleveland Browns traded two players for Edwards to play alongside young Jerry Sherek at defensive tackle. Edwards was brought in to replace Walter Johnson, an outstanding defensive tackle in his own right. Coming off a torn hamstring muscle, Edwards played very little during the 1976 season but returned to proper form and status for the '77 and '78 seasons.

In 1979 he retired from football, but was coaxed into returning and helping Green Bay who had had a rash of injuries to their young defensive team by the then head coach Bart Starr. In his first game back, he made major contributions and sacks in the contest on that Monday night, the game of the week (October 1, 1979) against Steve Grogan and the New England Patriots. Packers won and he won the game ball which represented the 1000th game played in Packer history. This season ended the career of one of the most versatile linemen in the NFL.

A total of 16 players were traded for his services over his career. In 1969 he was added as a member of the Tampa Sports Hall of Fame, one of 52 stars chosen by the Tampa Bay Sports Club.

He helped the San Francisco 49ers win the NFC Western Division from 1970 to 1972.

He played 11 seasons in the National Football League as a defensive lineman for San Francisco, Buffalo, Cleveland and Green Bay between 1969 and 1979. He was runner-up for NFL Rookie of the Year in 1969 behind Joe Greene. He's a member of the Tampa Sports Hall of Fame, one of 52 local stars chosen by the Tampa Bay Sports Club.

He has been married to Janice for since 1988. He has three sons, Big Reggie, Tall Gavin (who played college basketball for the Connecticut Huskies and Big Damien who is a fifth year senior on the University of South Florida football team. He also has two daughters, Sandi and Brandi.

Edwards is now a substitute teacher in Arizona.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]