Jets WR Edwards arraigned on DWI charge in NY after being pulled over for windows too dark

Jets WR Edwards arraigned on DWI charge in NYC

NEW YORK — Prosecutors say New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards told police he had a couple of drinks before being pulled over in New York City — and also suggested they let him leave his luxury SUV and go home.

Edwards was released without bail after being arraigned Tuesday on a drunken-driving charge.

His lawyer says Edwards is exhausted and focused on getting back to his team.

Police say they pulled Edwards over around 5:15 a.m. on Manhattan’s West Side because his Land Rover SUV’s windows were too tinted. Authorities say officers smelled alcohol on his breath, and a test showed his blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit.

Edwards was already on probation for punching a man outside a Cleveland nightclub.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards was arrested Tuesday on charges of driving while intoxicated after officers pulled him over in Manhattan because the windows on his SUV were too tinted.

Officers on the lookout for violations like excessive tinting or missing registration stickers pulled over Edwards’ Land Rover on New York City’s west side around 5:15 a.m. and noticed a strong smell of alcohol, chief NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said.

Edwards was given a breath test at the scene and another at a police station. His blood alcohol level was .16, twice the legal limit, officials said.

Authorities said there were four other people in the SUV at the time, and the Jets confirmed Tuesday that starting left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson and defensive end Vernon Gholston were among them. Neither of those players was charged.

In January, Edwards was placed on probation for 18 months after pleading no contest to misdemeanor aggravated disorderly conduct in Cleveland for punching a friend of NBA star LeBron James outside a nightclub. Edwards was traded by the Browns to the Jets two days after the October nightclub encounter.

His lawyer, Peter M. Frankel, declined to comment as he awaited Edwards’ arraignment. A call to his agent was not returned.

Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said Edwards showed poor judgment.

“We are very disappointed in Braylon’s actions this morning,” Tannenbaum said in a statement. “We are reviewing the information with the league and will impose the appropriate disciplinary measures.”

Tannenbaum noted the Jets have a special program in which a player who drinks can call for a driver to take him home.

Pending the outcome of the New York City case, Edwards may have to return Cleveland to face a possible probation violation, which could carry jail time. The Cleveland Municipal Court judge handling his case has been notified of his New York arrest, court spokesman Ed Ferenc said.

The NFL had no comment. Edwards could be in line for a suspension for violations of NFL policies on alcohol and player conduct.

Edwards had a big game for the Jets in their 28-14 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday, catching five passes, including a touchdown and two-point conversion. He was penalized for taunting — he danced in front of the defensive back covering him — after his 10-yard TD catch and coach Rex Ryan clearly wasn’t happy on the sideline, shaking his head.

The former first-round pick out of Michigan said during the Jets’ playoff run last season that he wanted to finish his career in New York. Edwards signed a contract tender with the Jets in March worth $6.1 million, and will be a free agent after this season.

During his weekly spot on WFAN-AM on Tuesday morning, Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery said Edwards attended a Monday night event in support of Cotchery’s nonprofit foundation benefiting underprivileged youth in Manhattan. Cotchery said several teammates were there, and the event ran from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. on Manhattan’s west side.

It’s not clear where Edwards was coming from when he was pulled over.

AP Sports Writers Dennis Waszak Jr. and Barry Wilner contributed to this report.